Major Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Respect for the Dignity of Every Human Being Human person’s dignity derives from

the fact that each person is created in the image of God

Persons are created in the image of God, the Trinity Humans are created to be in

relationship – first, family then broader relationship of community, local and global

Injustice is rooted in Sin Humans assert their will over the will of

God and the result is Injustice Lesson of Adam and Eve

Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching 1. Life and Dignity of Human Person 2. Call to participate in family and

community 3. Rights and Responsibilities of the

person, community 4. Option for the poor and vulnerable 5. Dignity of work and rights of workers 6. Solidarity 7. Care of God’s Creation

Scripture and Tradition Catholic Social teaching is based in

Scripture and Tradition Major Concepts: World filled with Light

and Shadow Why is there Suffering? Justice: the Reign of God’s goodness The Compassionate Way of Jesus

World filled with Light and Shadows Light and Joy/Shadows and Suffering Response to suffering: do something/do

nothing Do nothing: Hopelessness /Individualism Do something: Interest in

others/Compassion Compassion moves people to ease the

suffering of others; it moves them to love.

Why is there Suffering? God created human beings in God’s image. God

created them good, made to be in relationship, and free.

Sin disrupted humanity’s relationship with God, with themselves, with each other, and with all creation.

Grace, God’s transforming Love, restores the goodness of creation and at the end of time, grace will renew all of creation in a “new heaven and a new earth”.

Grace is the reason Christians can find hope amid suffering.

Justice: the Reign of God’s Goodness God does not cause suffering, does not

want suffering, acts to save people from suffering.

Scripture shows God acting with compassion for the poor, oppressed, weak, and marginalized.

God calls the people to Justice, a loving relationship among humans, God, and Creation.

Injustice is a condition where humans have put obstacles in the way of the loving relationships intended by God; preventing life from flourishing the way God intends.

The compassionate Way of Jesus The Incarnation is God’s choice to lead

humans out of suffering and death. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God

present on earth, a kingdom of love and justice.

Jesus wanted to turn a society built on selfishness into one built on Love.

The true love of God is shown by loving others.