The Origin of Modern Catholic Social Teaching
OPENING PRAYER
We cannot merely pray to you, O God, to end war;
For we know that You have made the world in a way that
people must find their own path to peace within themselves
and with their neighbors.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end starvation;
For You have already given us the resources with which to
feed the entire world, if we would only use them wisely.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes with which to see the good
in all people, if we would only use them rightly.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end despair;
For You have already given us the power to clear away slums
and to give hope, if we would only use our power justly.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds with which to
search out cures and healing, if we would only use them
constructively.
Therefore we pray to You instead, O God, for strength,
determination and will power,
To do instead of just pray,
To become instead of merely to wish.
Amen.
Source: attributed to Jack Riemer (Social Justice Resource Center)
"THE ORIGIN OF MODERN CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING"
What teachings or principles do you use to guide your social relationships?
Catholic Social Teaching (“CST”) “is a central and essential element of our faith.” CST, like all that is Christian, begins with the person and message of Jesus Christ. Through him God has revealed to us the truth about the Godself—a triune God whose very nature is relational, communal and social. Humans, who are made in God’s likeness and image (Gn 1:26-27), share in this relational, communal, and social nature.
Jesus Christ came "to bring glad tidings to the poor . . .liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free" (Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with "the least ones" —the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned, and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:42-45). CST is built on a commitment to the poor. “To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren" (CCC no. 1397).
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are called individually and communally, most especially through the Church, to continue Jesus’ mission and to offer, proclaim, live, and bring God’s reality of love, truth, justice, peace, joy, freedom, healing, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation to the world.
In reflecting on the person and message of Jesus Christ, the Church has been guided by critical reasoning and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to discern and formulate ethical principles related to human life and dignity, justice, solidarity, the common good, and care for our world; to foster life-giving relationships between people, cultures, societies, nations, and other institutions; and to offer moral guidance as to how to live “lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.”
With the growth of industrialization, globalization, capitalism and secularism, particular social issues arose that became more universal in scope. It is in documents issued by the Church speaking to particular social issues of the time, beginning with the Encyclical Rerum Novarum (“Of New Things”) by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, that modern Catholic Social Teaching began. Thereafter, succeeding popes, as well as bishops from various nations or regional conferences, periodically issued documents speaking to specific social issues deemed important at the time. The most recent foundational documents on CST, issued by Pope Francis, are Laudato Si’ (“On Care for Our Common Home”) (2015), Querida Amazonia ("Beloved Amazon") (2020) and Frateli Tutti ("On Fraternity and Social Friendship")(2020).
Scripture contains many teachings regarding our relationships with God, others, our self, and our world. The centrality of these teachings is Christ’s commandment to love God and our neighbor as Christ loves us.
Please read this week The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Nos. 87–104
VIDEOS
"Catholic Social Teaching in 3 Minutes"
"A Brief History of Catholic Social Justice"
"Catholic Social Teaching: Called to Charity and Justice" (Father Casey Cole, OFM)
"Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching" (Fr. Charles Dygert)
"Complete History of Catholic Social Doctrine" (Fr. Casey Cole, OFM)
MUSIC
"Deep Within"
"Endless is Your Love"
"God Beyond All Names"
"Endless is Your Love"
"God Beyond All Names"
OTHER RESOURCES
"History of Catholic Social Teaching" (Renewal of Faith)
"What is Catholic Social Teaching?"
"Catholic Social Teaching" (Felician Sisters)
"Catholic Social Teaching 101" (Catholic Relief Services)
Other Resources on Catholic Social Teaching
"History of Catholic Social Teaching" (Renewal of Faith)
"What is Catholic Social Teaching?"
"Catholic Social Teaching" (Felician Sisters)
"Catholic Social Teaching 101" (Catholic Relief Services)
Other Resources on Catholic Social Teaching