Catholic Social Justice: Catholic Social Justice: An OverviewAn Overview

THE SOCIAL THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE MISSION OF THE

CHURCHCHURCH

CONTEMPORARY- CONTEMPORARY- today(21today(21stst century) century)MISSION- saving MISSION- saving souls(1Tim. 2:4) souls(1Tim. 2:4) SITUATION- brokennessSITUATION- brokenness

Change is happening very fast.

We live in a planetary society or global city.

So much progress in science and technology.There is a shift from homosapiens to technosapiens.

Our mission must be different and should make a difference because we are in a world that is different.

Our mission to uplift morality today must be done with bold humility. We must be brave, strong and yet humble.

.

Theology is life not anymore a faith seeking understanding.

You cannot stop the modern technology of information. Internet does not expect borders. We have to join the 21st century in our mission .

For the church to continue to exist in the 21st century she must not remain inward looking but also outward looking.

Globalization is something to be addressed. It cannot be stop so we continue with our mission to shape the world and morality.

Secularization is an independence of culture from religion which means that we have a new God and that God is science. Statistically, according to CBCP survey only 7 percent from 10% goes to church today because of secularization.

We have to discover a theology of science and technology.

In globalization there’s no more boundaries, so we do not other the others, do not descriminate the others. Remain being a good catholic, let them be attracted by your charity, your lived faith. Don’t convert them . Let them be inspired by your life and God will convert them.

Vatican II says all religions are ways to God. Therefore don’t make a fence, don’t look down at other religions.

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE

CHURCH TODAYCHURCH TODAY• In her work of

evangelization, the Church cannot play deaf to the great problems of the world

• Part of her evangelizing mission is to teach and spread the Social Doctrine of the Church

Social Doctrine of the ChurchSocial Doctrine of the Church

Inculcates a commitment to justiceInculcates a commitment to justice

THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCHTHE CHURCH

• The core of the Church’s social mission is to save man in his totality.

PROBLEMS OF TODAY’S WORLDPROBLEMS OF TODAY’S WORLD

• Structural aspect

• Moral aspect

Concerned with the oppressive social structures that block man’s total integral liberation

refers to the adherence to unjust concepts and principles about man and society, i.e. prevalence of inhuman values

THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCHTHE CHURCH

• The Church aims to correctly form the people’s conscience

• The Church offers values and principles that must be respected in a humane society

THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCHTHE CHURCH

• The Church examines the signs of times and interprets them in the light of the Gospel and makes moral judgments on economic and social matters

• She condemns abuses, injustices and attacks against freedom

• She struggles for the defense and advancement of the rights of mankind, esp. of the poor and the oppressed

• the cross of an unhappy distinction of being the most unsafe country in Asia.

• unsavory international distinction of having the most corrupt civil service and the most inefficient bureaucracy.

• economic deprivation is very glaring.• power is concentrated to a few• the cross of cultural underdevelopment• wrong sense of gratitude and pakikisama.

RESPONSE OF THE PHILIPPINE RESPONSE OF THE PHILIPPINE CATHOLIC CHURCHCATHOLIC CHURCH

• The Church adopts the stance of constructive critical collaboration with civil authorities

• The Church desires to work for cultural change– There is an urgent need of

renewal of both the morals and morale of the people

RESPONSE OF THE PHILIPPINE RESPONSE OF THE PHILIPPINE CATHOLIC CHURCHCATHOLIC CHURCH

CBCP proposed five (5) areas of conversion among the Filipinos:

1. A commitment to the common good above personal and family interest

2. A commitment to honesty and integrity in public service

3. An understanding of the destination of the goods of the earth for all, and of the social dimension of the right to property

4. Conversion from the consumerist mentality and5. A profound understanding of the value of human

work

Social change requires adjusting Social change requires adjusting the social order to the standards the social order to the standards

of Christianity!of Christianity!

The Philippine Church envisions a Filipino The Philippine Church envisions a Filipino societysociety

that is pro – human person, pro – country, that is pro – human person, pro – country, and pro – Godand pro – God (Maka – tao, (Maka – tao,

Maka – bayan, at Maka – Diyos)Maka – bayan, at Maka – Diyos)

CHRISTO-CENTRIC APPRAOCH:

FAITH must be translated into

ACTION

APPROACH:APPROACH: Contextual Approach Contextual Approach

FILIPINO REALIZATIONFILIPINO REALIZATION

our country, together with the rest of the world, is now in the midst of crisis.

poverty, injustices, war, calamities, soaring prices of basic commodities, transportation and fuel, maltreatment and abuses, etc.

FACES OF CRISIS

IS THIS A REAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?

THE CHURCH DREAMS OF INDIVIDUAL THE CHURCH DREAMS OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE:MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE:

ALIVE AND LIFE-GIVINGFREE AND FREEING

RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE

LOVING AND LOVABLE

CARING AND COMMUNITY MINDED

OVER AND ABOVE ALL THIS:OVER AND ABOVE ALL THIS:The Church dreams of people becoming

persons reflecting God’s image in themselves, their actions, their beings.

The Church also dreams of a community that:1. speaks and listens,2. a community that discerns and decides together in implementing their decisions,3. prays and celebrate their joys and sorrows together,4. honestly looks at what they had done and failed.

SUMMARY OF PCPII:SUMMARY OF PCPII:

MAKATAO

MAKA-KALIKASAN

MAKABAYANMAKADIYOS

GOAL OF THE CHURCH:GOAL OF THE CHURCH: “To make all people,

Christians or non-Christians, live in the

spirit of charity, peace, justice and equality and

with respect of the whole creation.”

ACTIVITY

1.Think about the present situation of the community where you live in and the situation of our country, then, answer, the following questions. (Give at least 2 characteristics for each.)a. When will your community be a real

community of faith?b. When will the Philippines be a happy home for

us Filipinos?2. After answering the questions above, draw a

symbol that depicts your dream community.

- The gospel proclaims that human beings are made in the image and likeness of God

- Made in a divine image, we are endowed with a human soul with two great powers

1.) Intellect

2.) Free will

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

1.) Human Intellect

Enables us to recognize and

understand God’s command to do good

and avoid evil

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

2.) Free will

Enables us to choose good with the guidance of our conscience and to obey God’s law of love

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

- Original sin has weakened us, inclining us to commit evil by making bad judgments and choosing

lesser goods ________________________________________

• Malnutrition is responsible for the death of over five million children per year

• Nearly three billion people, live on less than $2.00 per day

• Over 46 million babies have been aborted in the U.S. since Roe vs. Wade

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

Catholic Social Justice Teaching

- The church doctrine (teaching) attempts to understand how societies work

- It makes moral judgements about economic and social matters in light of revealed truth

Catholic Social JusticeCatholic Social Justice

Flows primarily from the life and words of Jesus Christ

Rooted in teachings of the Hebrew prophets

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

- Aspects of Catholic Social Justice - Aspects of Catholic Social Justice TeachingTeaching

1.) It gives us principles for 1.) It gives us principles for reflectionreflection

2.) It provides criteria for judgment2.) It provides criteria for judgment

3.) It gives guidelines for action3.) It gives guidelines for action

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

Principles of Catholic Social TeachingSharing Catholic Social Teaching

- Purpose is to alert Catholics that the Church’s teaching on social justice is an essential part of our faith

- The wheel of justice presents the principles of Catholic social justice.

• Our ultimate destination is God’s kingdom

• Along the way there are obstacles

• The principles on the wheel need to be applied to smooth out the road that leads us to God

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Human Dignity

1 2

3

45

6

7

8 9 Respect for Life

Family Community Participation

Rights & Duties

Common Good

Option for the Poor

Work & Workers

Solidarity Stewardship

Wheel of Justice

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

1.) Principle of Dignity of the Human Person

- Every person deserves respect

- Our dignity does not come from what we do or what we have, it comes from being God’s special creation

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching2.) Principle of Respect for Human Life

- Every stage of a human’s life is precious and worthy of our respect and protection

3.) Principle of the Call to Family, Community, & Participation

- People have a right and duty to participate in society seeking together the common good and well-being of all

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching4.) Principle of Rights and Responsibilities

- The essential, fundamental right is the right to life

- Every person has the right to the necessities that make for human decency

• Faith

• Food and Shelter

• Education

• Health care

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching5.) Principle of the Common Good

- Social conditions that permit people to reach their full human potential and to realize their human dignity

- Essential elements

1.) Respect for the person

2.) Social well-being and establishment of the group

3.) Peace and security

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching6.) Principle of the Preferential Option; Love for

the Poor and Vulnerable

- Poor and Vulnerable are our brothers and sisters

- They deserve respect, the protection of their rights, and justice

7.) Principle of Dignity of Work; Rights of Workers

- Economy must serve the people, not the other way around

- Workers’ rights

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

8.) Principle of Solidarity

- We need to commit ourselves to the common good

- We must work for peace and justice in the world marked by violence and war

9.) Principle of Stewardship

- We respect our loving Creator by being good stewards of the earth

How Christians View the Human PersonHow Christians View the Human Person-Our view of how humans should act Our view of how humans should act depends on how we see ourselvesdepends on how we see ourselves

-If we see ourselves createdIf we see ourselves created in God’s image, then we in God’s image, then we know we are called to know we are called to reflect all the qualities of reflect all the qualities of the Creatorthe Creator

- Foundation of Catholic Social Teaching is that each of us is made in God’s image:Each human being has tremendous dignityEach human being is a child of GodWe are special in God’s eyesWe have rights and responsibilitiesWe have a spiritual natureGod made us for himselfWe possess freedom; we must use it responsiblyWe are social beingsWe image God best when we love one another God made us co-creators with himWe are wounded by sin and inclined to evil and error

How Christians View the Human PersonHow Christians View the Human Person

- Jesus has much to reveal to us about - Jesus has much to reveal to us about who who we are and how we should we are and how we should treat each treat each other other - We are saved through Jesus’ passion, - We are saved through Jesus’ passion,

death and resurrectiondeath and resurrection-We are to be compassionate We are to be compassionate

like Jesuslike Jesus

How Christians View the Human Person

Our Rights as HumansOur Rights as Humansa claim we can make

on other people and on society so we can live

a full, human life. Right

Universal rights – the rights are for Universal rights – the rights are for every human being every human being

Inviolable rights – these rights are Inviolable rights – these rights are untouchable because they come untouchable because they come from from GodGodInalienable rights – these Inalienable rights – these

rights are inherent andrights are inherent andbeyond challengebeyond challenge

Our Rights as HumansOur Rights as Humans

Peace on EarthPeace on Earth- - Named the fundamental human rights:Named the fundamental human rights:Right to LifeRight to LifeMoral and Cultural RightsMoral and Cultural RightsRight to Worship GodRight to Worship GodRight to Choose Freely One’s State of LifeRight to Choose Freely One’s State of LifeEconomic RightsEconomic RightsThe Right of Meeting and AssociationThe Right of Meeting and AssociationThe Right to Emigrate and ImmigrateThe Right to Emigrate and ImmigratePolitical RightsPolitical Rights

Our Rights as HumansOur Rights as Humans