Sociocultural Dimension

7/30/2019 Sociocultural Dimension

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Sociocultural dimension

-there are characteristics w/c all human persons

possess and exhibit

I. Relation to oneself

a. embodied spirit- body and soul- of all Gods

created being, we have the power to reason

and freely act accdg to our own will.

Human persons are limited and trans descent

We have the capacity to go beyond limitation

Man-body-nourishment

-soul-intellect-truth

-will-love

-to choose b/w right and wrong

-freedom-limited

-freedom to do good

Sources of catholic social thought

1. Natural law-comprises all moral principles

that can be known thru reason

2. Revelation-includes both scriptures and

traditions

a. Old testament-prophets we see the

strong demands for justice and righteousness

b. New testament-teachings can be

inferred from Christs own examples and word

spread from the apostolic epistles.

Reasons for writing Rerum Novarum

1. the horrible exploitation of the poor and

poverty of European and North American

workers at the end of the 19th

century.

2. negative effects of communism

a. attacks made to some members of

the church

Catholic Social Thought

Social doctrines describe the role that the

church takes in finding solutions to the

problems created by changes in the world. It is

the religious and moral teachings of the church

and is bases on the following:

1. Biblical insights

2. Tradition of the fathers of the church

3. Scholastic philosophy

4. Theological reflections

5. Contemporary experiences of the faithful

6. Populorum Progressio (On development of

peoples) 1967

Issued during the time of Pope Paul VI

The first encyclical that dealt on the social

problems and international development.

Furthermore, it advocates economic planning

and aid to promote development.

Gives the reason why countries of theThird world are poor and while those of

the first world are rich. (Problem)

Conflict between poor and rich ofcolonization and imbalance of power

This set as a challenge to the church toopen the way to a relinquishment of

the political privileges which it had

enjoyed in traditionally catholic

countries.

10. Laborem Exercens (On human work)1981

Commemorates the 90th

anniversary of

Pope Leo XIIIs Condition of Labor

It deals on the concept of work, its dignity,

and spirituality, the priority of labor over

capital, rights of workers and unions and


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finally, the development and refinement of

the teachings on property.

Relation of _______________

Society is a production of directions and

activities.

All human activities combined make up a

system or CULTURE in a society.

We are all partly a product of one society.

As we affect society, society affects us too.

IV. Relation to material things

Our environment makes it possible for us to

have a material relationship

a. work-where we show our capacities-natural

faculties, talents, energy, drives and desires.

Thru work, we exercise our power to make use

of the riches of the world and avail of its fruits.

The time of great ________ during the2nd industrial revolution shaking the

economic and social foundation of the

society.

Bankruptcy of major proportionscreating massive unemployment among

people of various capitalist nations.

Effects:

1. The Pope strongly criticizes the abuses of

Both capitalism and communism

He made an attempt to discuss aidto countries in process of

development.

He gave concrete forms of stateintervention in the field of

legislation in prices and

intervention in private ownership

The change of attitude towards thestate was the most important

innovation in his time.

6. He advocates between capital andlabor and urged the uplifting of the

poor and reform of social order.

7. The establishment of vovational

groups.

8. He points out the abuses of

capitalism and socialism and calls for

moral change of society based on

justice and love.

b. Unique-being self-transcending, weare unique, original. We keep changing

by constant questioning and choosing

freely forms ourselves.

c. Oriented to goodness-it is our

natural tendency to seek the good. We

avoid anything which will harm us and


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pursue things we perceive us good. Our

natural gifts-intellect and will are to be

used in order for us to relate to others,

to be fulfilled in life and to come to full

life with others.

3. Mater et magistra (On Christianity

and Social Progress) 1961

Pope John XXIII issued this encyclical to

commemorate the 70th

anniversary of

Rerum.

He confirms the teachings on the value

of private initiative, just wages, social

function of private property and

addresses for the first time the plight of

non-industrial nations.

8. Justice in the world (1971)

Statement of the synod of bishops

It explains the fundamental relationship

between Christian faith and action for justice.

It teaches that gospel principles mandating

justice for the liberation of all humanity as an

expression of Christian love.

The church is a mother who givesherself for the lowly and oppressed.

The popes peasant background madehim sympathetic with the work class.

The pope confirms the values of privateproperty and renumeration for work.

Attacks the capitalist monopolization ofwealth and poverty and workers be

given a share in the company.

II. Relation to others

noman is an island Every person is

oriented to other people.

Facts: Our parents were responsible for our

being hhere.

Our natural faculties to communicate with

others

The fear of being alone.

We are like gems that shine more in the

company of others.

The erection of the Berlin wall andspeaks of the danger of arms race

and nuclear war. (Problem)

The first document to speak ofhuman rights in detail. (Cause)

Peace needs to be based on truthbuilt according to justice, charity

and freedom. (Solution)

11. Solicitudo Rei Socialis (Concern for

social realities) Pope John Paul II, 1987

Came on the 20th anniversary of

Populorum Progressio

Has an incisive critique on the new form

of colonization.

Cited the signs of underdevelopment

caused by East and West conflict.

The document links the political issueswith the issue of just international

economic order (problem) and

proposes a concept of human

development based on justice and

charity (solution)

The duties of the people of God toscrutinize the signs of the times in the

light of the Gospel (Solution)

The mission of the Church todayThe core of the Churchs social mission is to

save man in this totality-which includes

both socio-political and mystical dimension

of mans life.

The church views the problem during the

world as both structural and moral.


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The structural aspects are concerned with

the oppressive social structures like

poverty, graft and corruption, etc.

The moral aspect refers to the adherence

to unjust concepts and principles like social

injustice, poverty, yellow journalism, graft

and corruption, etc.

The Phil ________ instructive critical

collaboration with authorities.

The Church desires to work for cultural

change.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Phil

(CBCP) proposed 5 areas of conversion

among Filipinos:

1. Commitment to the common good

above personal and family interest

2. Commitment to honesty and integrity in

public service

3. Understanding of the destination of the

goods of the earth for all.

4. Conversion from the consumerist

mentality.

5. Profound understanding of the value of

human work.

4. Pacem in terries (Peace on Earth) 1963

Pope John XXIII issued this encyclical during

the course of Vatican 2 and shortly after

the Cuban missile crisis.

It was the first encyclical which addresses

catholics as well as non-Catholics.

It is the first encyclical ever to treat human

rights in detail.

2. ____________ (The reconstruction of

social

Pope Pius XI wrote this on the 40th

anniversary of Rerum.

He introduced here the concept of

subsidiarity saying that social problems

should be resolved on more local levels

first.

Furthermore, this encyclical dealt on social

responsibility of ownership, and unity

between capital and labor.

2. To update Catholic social teachings to

reflect the changed conditions

3. He foresee the end product of

capitalism, namely imperialism

4. He broadens the churchs concern for

poor workers to encompass the structure

that oppresses them.

5. He affirms the social responsibility of

ownership.

5. Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitutional of

the Church in the Modern World, Vatican 2)

1965

This is the stand of the majority of the worlds

bishop during Vatican 2. It deals on the duties

of the people of God to scrutinize the signs of

the times in the light of the Gospel.

It links the political issue of peace to the

international economic order and human

development.

Relation to society-We are created to live in a

society, to relate with social groups, structures

and institutions which are built by the

interactions and relationship of human persons.

Society-is a group united for the promotion of a

common goal thru common means under a

common authority.

4 essential elements of a society

1. members

2. common purpose

3. thru organized/ united effort

4. authority that governs it and coordinates all

its activities


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9. Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the

modern world) 1975 Pope Paul VI

Issued during the commemoration of the 10th

anniversary of the closing of Vatican 2

It contains the Popes reflection on the Churchs

mission to proclaim the Gospel to the world

which is hostile to the love of God.

b. problem of poverty is a part of the apostolate

mission of the Church

The important principle stated by PopeLeo about labor and employer

relationship is giving the employers a

major role as agent social change.

Octogesima Adveniens (A call to action) 1971

Issued during the time of Pope Paul VI as a

commemoration of the 80th

anniversary of the

publication of the Rerum.

It emphasis the role of the individual Christians

and local Churches in responding to situations

of injustices.

It also dealt on the problems of urbanization.

d. Ambivalence-although we are born with

dignity and gifts to do good, we are inclined also

to do evil. Accdg to St. Paul, this is due to the

disorder of our own appetite which leads us to

sin. We have to look for guidance, and sound

education to know the real truth.

e. Conscience-the voice of God in us, telling us

to do good and avoid evil

b. stewardship-the human obligation to

exercise responsibility over the riches of the

earth so that they will used and developed for

the benefit of all.

Relation with God

Man as he seeks for truth and happiness will

eventually find out that he did not create

himself-GOD did

Doctrine

1. Man is the highest of Gods creatures.

2. Man was created in the image and likeness of

God.

3. Man is special because of his inviolable

dignity.

4. This dignity is rooted from mans origin,

meaning and dignity.

Social Mission of the Church

Christianity teaches a life of brotherhood and

love for the poor.

The commitment of the Church to social issues

started during the time of Pope Leo XIII and

reached during its high during Vatican 2.

The approach is no longer that of individualistic

but a communitarian morality and is now in

continuous dialogue with those involved in the

development of modern society.

Sociocultural Dimension

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