Catholic Social Teaching: Principles and Applications
What is Catholic Social Teaching (CST)?
It is the set of ideas and principles that the Catholic Church and other Christian churches suggest to create a fairer and more humane world.
- It suggests propositions on social, economic, and political reality. One of the biggest contributions is the Catholic Church’s vision about these issues.
- It is the contribution of Christian thinkers (religious or lay) within different areas of knowledge or bibliographical contribution.
- It is inspired by the life of Jesus of Nazareth and his message of peace, justice, and love.
In conclusion, it is a framework for human behavior as it suggests judgment criteria.
Encyclical Letter: What it is
An encyclical letter is a formal letter written by the Pope to teach and guide Catholics on important topics like faith, morals, or social issues. It’s like a message to help people understand and live by certain values.
The first encyclical, Rerum Novarum (1891), was written by Pope Leo XIII. It talked about workers and bosses during the Industrial Revolution. It said workers should get fair pay, have safe jobs, and be allowed to form groups like unions. It emphasized the importance of justice and charity. It also said everyone should be treated with respect and fairness to help solve problems like poverty and inequality.
Laudato Si’ (Pope Francis, 2015): Focuses on caring for the environment and addressing problems like pollution, climate change, and the destruction of nature. It encourages everyone to protect the Earth, our “common home.”
Fratelli Tutti (Pope Francis, 2020): Talks about issues like the migration crisis, poverty, the effects of pandemics, and the impact of new technologies. It calls for unity, kindness, and working together to solve global problems.
The Four CST Values
Truth
The human mind’s purpose is to discover the truth about who we are and our role in life. Freedom and good decision-making should always aim for this truth. In CST, our vocation is to live as brothers and sisters, building a world of love and freedom, united with all people as one human family.
Freedom
Freedom is the ability of humans to make their own choices and guide their lives. In Christianity, freedom is understood as a responsibility to make moral decisions, not as something unlimited. It is connected to living in harmony with others and choosing what is truly good. By making good choices, a person grows and shapes their own identity, becoming responsible for who they are.
Justice
The base of social life and relationships. The permanent will to grant everyone what is due to them. Types:
- Commutative Justice: relationships among two individuals. Equality basis.
- Distributive Justice: relationships between the community and each of its members (rights to health, education, food).
- Legal Justice: what individuals owe to the community.
- Social Justice: primacy of the morals over the legal rules. Groups and individuals are enabled to achieve what they are entitled to: equality opportunities, etc.
Love
Love is the most important law and goal of life, and it is the foundation of all social ethics. In Christian faith, God calls us to value love above justice. Social justice should be guided by love, aiming to promote charity and solidarity. One key principle of CST is a “preferential option for the poor,” meaning that those in need should receive special care and attention. Love is the source that drives all actions toward creating a fair and compassionate society.
Five CST Principles
1. Human Dignity:
Meaning: Every person is made in the image of God and deserves respect and care, regardless of their background, race, or status.
Example: Ensuring equal access to education and healthcare for all, including marginalized groups, because every life has inherent worth.
2. Common Good:
Meaning: Society should work for the well-being of all people, not just a privileged few.
Example: Supporting policies that provide clean water and safe neighborhoods for all, not just wealthy areas.
3. Universal Destination of Goods:
Meaning: States that the Earth’s resources are meant to be shared by all people so that everyone’s needs are met. While private property is acceptable, it must be used in ways that benefit not only the owner but also the broader community. It emphasizes fairness and justice in resource distribution.
4. Solidarity:
Meaning: We are one human family, and we should care for and stand with others, especially those in need.
Example: Donating time or resources to help communities affected by natural disasters.
5. Subsidiarity:
Meaning: Decisions should be made at the most local level possible, allowing individuals and communities to take responsibility.
CST Principles and Human Rights
Christian Social Thought principles and human rights are closely related because both emphasize the dignity, value, and equality of every person. The principles, like Human Dignity and the Common Good, align with human rights by advocating for basic needs such as food, shelter, education, and freedom. For example, the Universal Destination of Goods supports the right to access resources, while Solidarity reflects the right to community and support in times of need.
Two Types of Human Dignity: Ontological vs. Moral
Ontological dignity refers to the inherent worth every human being has simply by being created in the image and likeness of God. This dignity is universal, unchangeable, and independent of a person’s actions or status. On the other hand, moral dignity is based on the choices and actions a person makes, reflecting how they live in alignment with God’s will and moral values. While ontological dignity is a gift from God, moral dignity grows as individuals act with virtue, love, and justice, contributing to the common good.
Samaritan Anthropology
Samaritan anthropology highlights how humans are called to care for one another with compassion and selflessness. It emphasizes seeing every person as a neighbor, regardless of differences, and responding to their needs with love and action.
Historical Development of Social Thought
1. Classical Period – Ancient Greece (8th Century B.C.)
The Greek Polis was much more than a simple city-state. Imagine a place where citizens had a strong sense of belonging and participation. Athens and Sparta were the main examples. However, not everything was perfect: only some citizens were considered “free,” excluding women, children, and slaves. Myth played a crucial role in society. It was not just a story but a way of transmitting values and beliefs. Thinkers like Homer and Hesiod used these symbolic narratives to explain significant events and social structures.
2. Prominent Philosophers
Socrates (470-399 B.C.): Believed that knowledge was virtue. Held that evil arises from ignorance. Developed the famous “Socratic dialogue”. His most famous phrase: “I only know that I know nothing”.
Plato (428-347 B.C.): In his work The Republic, he described an ideal society. Advocated for universal public education. Proposed a division of labor based on moral classes. Believed in consensus through dialogue.
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.): Introduced the concept of eudaimonia (ethical happiness). Considered the human being a “political animal”. Classified states as just (monarchy, aristocracy) and unjust. Laid the foundations for the future division of powers.
3. Middle Ages and Christianity
Christianity brought with it: Faith in one God. The doctrine of the four gospels. Morality based on love. The concept of messianic salvation. Saint Augustine was key in this period, connecting classical thought with Christian culture. He argued that faith and reason are complementary.
4. Renaissance and Reformation
Key characteristics: The rise of the bourgeoisie. Humanism. Individualism. Scientific revolution. Secularism. Martin Luther led the Protestant Reformation, questioning papal authority and promoting salvation through grace and faith.
5. 20th Century Philosophy
Thinkers such as Ortega y Gasset and Hannah Arendt criticized: Modern technical society. The rise of the “mass man”. Totalitarian regimes. Dehumanization.
CST Approach to Capitalism and Socialism/Communism
Capitalism promotes innovation, private property, and personal freedom through a free market. However, CST criticizes its focus on private profit and unregulated markets, which can lead to exploitation, inequality, and social exclusion. Marxist socialism/communism values equality and collective well-being, but CST rejects its emphasis on state control, suppression of private property, and restrictions on personal freedom, as these often harm human dignity and individual rights.
CST Economic Principles
- The economy should serve humans and society, promoting integral growth.
- Economic efficiency must include solidarity and respect for human rights. Growth cannot come from the exploitation of others.
- Everyone has the right to participate in the economy and the duty to contribute to social progress.
- Economic projects should foster global solidarity and justice.
- The economy must promote personal freedom.
- A free market is good but should serve social utility and fairness. Competition should achieve justice and encourage innovation.
- The state should create equal opportunities, regulate for the common good, and balance public and private action to support development.
Examples of CST-Inspired Economic Initiatives
- The Economy of Francesco: Inspired by Pope Francis, this initiative gathers young economists and entrepreneurs to create a more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable global economy.
- The Economy of the Common Good (ECG): Proposed by Christian Felber, this movement advocates for businesses to prioritize human dignity, solidarity, and sustainability. Companies prepare a “Common Good Balance Sheet” to measure their impact on the community and environment, instead of focusing only on financial profit.
CST Views on Death Penalty
CST opposes the death penalty in all situations, seeing growing public opposition as hopeful progress. The State must correct unlawful behavior with penalties aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration (second chances). CST supports conscientious objection, meaning no one can be forced to act against their beliefs. The only justified killing is in legitimate self-defense, when it is the only way to protect lives from an aggressor.
Debate on Death Penalty
Right to Life: Life is the highest human right, above all others. The goal of the penitentiary system is reintegration, not death.
Prevention vs. Remediation: Society should prioritize prevention (costs less and reduces crime). Example: Investing in preventing recidivism (re-offending) saves society $6 for every $1 spent.
Law of Retaliation (“An Eye for an Eye”): Revenge causes more violence. The State must reduce violence, not increase it through actions like the death penalty.
State’s Role: Recover and reinsert offenders into society. Avoid revenge and work towards peace. Martin Luther King: “An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.”
Family as the Basic Social Unit
a) The family is fundamental to life and society. It must be supported by public authorities, as it is “the future of society” (Saint John Paul II).
b) Families require love and respect for personal development, ensuring all members feel recognized and accepted.
c) Family precedes the State, which should promote it without overstepping its natural functions, like educating children.
d) The Church advocates lifelong, faithful marriages and provides special support to struggling families.
e) Elderly and disabled family members embody values and deserve dignity and care.
Life and Reproductive Technologies
Right to Life: Life is a fundamental right from conception to natural death.
Abortion: The Church opposes abortion, as it involves taking a human life. Pope Francis emphasizes science, stating DNA and organ development start within 30 days of conception. Abortion raises serious moral questions.
Supporting Parenthood: The Church works to eliminate obstacles to parenthood, such as economic struggles or lack of support, and assists families and pregnant women in need.
Opposition to Euthanasia: Life is a gift, not a disposable commodity. All lives, regardless of dependency or fragility, have value. Many euthanasia requests stem from a fear of suffering, highlighting the need for hope, palliative care, and improved treatment.
Therapeutic Cruelty: Life should not be artificially prolonged with disproportionate means. Death should be accepted as a natural reality when inevitable.
Surrogacy: The Church opposes surrogacy, as children are not commodities or rights but gifts. Surrogacy often exploits economically vulnerable women, undermining the dignity of their bodies. Psychological and health risks affect both the surrogate mother and the child, who is separated from the only mother they have ever known.
Science and Technology According to CST
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) views science and technology as valuable tools that should be developed to serve humanity, improve living conditions, and promote the common good. However, CST emphasizes that these advancements must adhere to ethical standards and respect human dignity. Below are examples of good and bad uses of science and technology based on the Church’s perspective:
Examples of Good Uses: Medical advancements: vaccines and treatments. Use of agricultural technology to fight hunger by increasing food production. Innovations that reduce pollution and combat climate change. Technology that connects families and communities.
Examples of Bad Uses: Destructive Technologies: Creation and use of weapons of mass destruction, such as atomic bombs. Biotechnological advancements that can be used for harmful purposes, such as biological warfare. Excessive use of social media and digital platforms. Cloning, genetic modification, or artificial intelligence projects that disregard human dignity or moral principles.
Just-War Theory
The Just-War Theory permits the use of violence only for the legitimate defense of the collective, aiming to restore an unjustly violated order. This is allowed only when the damage caused is proportionate to the injustice suffered. According to CST, war must be a last resort, with all other methods like diplomacy, dialogue, and international law exhausted first. CST also highlights the need for an effective international system (e.g., UN or NATO) to make decisions and act responsibly, which is currently in crisis.
Preventive War
Preventive war involves attacking a potential threat before it materializes, famously used as a justification by George Bush after 9/11. CST strongly rejects this concept for several reasons: It is morally unacceptable because destroying to prevent destruction is inherently wrong. It is legally unsustainable, as no state has the right to unilaterally act as the global enforcer of security. It is politically misguided, as it can escalate conflicts and risks framing conflicts as wars of religion or civilizations.
Laudato Si’ Encyclical
Laudato Si’ addresses environmental degradation and climate change, emphasizing their impact on the poor and marginalized. The encyclical’s main message is to protect the Earth as a shared home for all living beings, urging both environmental care and social justice. It calls for a balance between human development and ecological preservation, highlighting the need to safeguard the planet for future generations.
Circular Economy
A circular economy is a model of production that emphasizes reuse, repair, recycling, and reducing waste. Its goal is to extend the life cycle of products by reusing materials and minimizing consumption. This approach encourages living with less and focusing on what is truly essential. The key idea is to reduce waste, avoid quick disposal, and prioritize care for the Common Good, as highlighted in Laudato Si’.
1. Ecocentrism
Ecocentrism is an environmental ethical perspective that places the intrinsic value of ecosystems, biodiversity, and non-human life forms at the center. It emphasizes the well-being of the entire Earth system, not just humans.
2. Anthropocentrism
Anthropocentrism is a human-centered perspective that views humans as the most significant entities in the universe. It often evaluates the environment based on its utility for human well-being and development.
3. Integral Ecology (as promoted by Laudato Si’)
Integral Ecology is a holistic approach that combines ecological, social, and ethical dimensions. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, urging care for both people and the environment simultaneously.
The Man’s Search for Meaning
Love: Frankl views love as the highest and most profound source of meaning in life. He believes that love allows a person to truly see and affirm the uniqueness of another individual. Even in suffering, the thought of a loved one can provide purpose and hope, as it did for Frankl during his time in a concentration camp.
Human Dignity: Frankl emphasizes the resilience of human dignity even in the harshest conditions. He observed that, despite dehumanizing circumstances in the camps, individuals retained their ability to choose their attitude and actions, preserving their dignity through acts of kindness, sacrifice, or moral integrity.
Freedom: For Frankl, true freedom lies in the ability to choose one’s attitude in any situation, regardless of external circumstances. Even in the face of suffering and oppression, individuals have the freedom to decide how they respond, which reflects their inner strength and humanity.
Suffering: Frankl sees suffering as an inevitable part of life but believes it can hold meaning if faced with the right attitude. He argues that when individuals find purpose in their suffering, it transforms their pain into an opportunity for growth and inner strength.
Logotherapy: Logotherapy, Frankl’s psychological approach, focuses on helping individuals find meaning in their lives as a way to overcome challenges and mental distress.