Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

CST Principles #1 Life and Dignity of the Human

Person

Life is sacred and the dignity of the human person is to be respected.

Christians are called to be for human life and to help others live to the fullest.

Food for thought:

What are some examples of people whose life and dignity are being disrespected and/or abused?

CST Principle #2Call to Family, Community

and ParticipationAll people are equal

and have the right and duty to participate fully in all aspects of human society.

Those who are not able to fully participate are said to be:MARGINALIZED, or outside the main group.

Examples:• education

• politics

• culture

• religion

• economy

Food for thought:

Who might we consider to be marginalized (not able to fully participate) in our society today?

CST Principles #3Rights and Responsibilities

• All people have human rights.

• Rights are conditions or things that any person needs to be fully human.

• All people must be challenged to live up to human responsibilities.

Examples:• basic right to life

• survival rights

• thrival rights

Survival RightsRights that are necessary for people

to be able to live.

• food and water• shelter• basic health care

Thrival RightsRights to those things necessary to become everything God intended us

to be.

• education• employment• safe environment• certain material

goods

Also, the right to:

• live by one’s conscience

• live by one’s religion

• live without discrimination

With rights come responsibilities.

Rights are not unlimited.We have the

responsibility for:•the good of others•the good of the

whole society

We are responsible for the well-being of our neighbor.

Subsidiarity

Decisions affecting the community should be made at the lowest level possible.

Governments and large organizations exist only to serve the good of:

• human beings• families• communities

Example:

1. city

2. county

3. state

4. federal

Food for thought:

• What rights do we have as members of a community?

• What responsibilities do we have to the community?

CST Principles #4Option for the Poor and

VulnerableWe are called to

emulate God by showing a special preference for those who are poor and weak.

We put the needs of society’s most poor and vulnerable members first among social concerns.

Reminder:The poor & vulnerable are

not only without money, but are also deprived of their basic rights or of equal participation in society.

Why this concern for the poor

and vulnerable?

• Not because they are more valuable

• But because their need is greater.

Food for thought:• Who are the poor and

vulnerable in the U.S. today?• Whose need is great?

CST Principles #5Dignity of Work and Rights of

Workers

• Work exists for people, not people for work.

• The value of work is measured by whether it promotes the human dignity of the worker.

• Work well done contributes to the common good.

Work provides families with the things they need to live and flourish.

Food for thought:

• What is it about work that helps us to feel our human dignity?

• What does work contribute to your sense of well-being and worth?

Workers’ RightsThose things that contribute to the

dignity of work:

Right to:• employment• decent and fair

pay• a safe workplace• honest employers• organize and join

unions

Food for thought:

What recent news stories disclose situations where these rights may have been violated?

CST Principles #6Solidarity

We are all responsible to:• Stand by the poor and vulnerable• Take action to support the

violation of rights.• Learn more about the situations

of those whose rights have been violated.

• Put ourselves in their position (metaphorically or literally).

Food for thought:

Think of examples of people you know who practice the principle of solidarity.

CST Principles #7Care for God’s Creation

We are called to live our faith in relationship with all of God’s

creationand to be stewards of that creation.

• Protect the health of people• Protect the health of the planet

Food for thought:

Make a list of examples where our society has misused its stewardship -- destroying the balance between human need and protection of creation.

Recap of Principles(remember, sdrawkcab and forwards!)

1. Life and respect for human dignity

2. Call to family, community, and participation

3. Rights and responsibilities

4. Option for the poor and vulnerable

5. The dignity of work and rights of workers

6. Solidarity

7. Care for God’s creation

World Realities that challenge these principles:

Racism

Materialis

m

Drug trafficking & abuse

Apathy

Class &

economic

divisions

Religious discrimination

Corruption

Denial of

basic

rightsPoverty wages

Physical abuse: children, prisoners, etc.