Major Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

in the light of migration issues

This project is

•developed by the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology•funded by the Plater Trust •hosted by Caritas-Social Action Network

1. The dignity of the person

•We are created in the image and likeness of God

•Our ultimate purpose is to know Him

•The dignity of each person is not based on abilities or talents

•But our concrete, daily experiences are important - Incarnation

In virtue simply of our shared humanity, we must surely respect and honour one another. Each individual has a value that can never be lost and must never be ignored. Moreover, each of us is made in the image and likeness of God....

Christ challenges us to see his presence in our neighbour, especially the neighbour who suffers or who lacks what is essential to human flourishing. In relieving our neighbour's suffering and meeting our neighbour's needs, we are also serving Christ. For the Christian, therefore, there can be no higher privilege and duty.

(CBCEW, The Common Good and the Catholic Church’s Teaching, 1996, p. 9, §12)

How does this impact on migration issues?

•Each individual migrant is of value

•Their contribution to a community is particular and should be recognised

•Biblical texts underline the protection of the stranger

• It is the privilege of the host community to receive the migrant

2. Solidarity

•The created person is not designed for isolation

•She is interdependent with others

•Such relationships are to be sought and protected

•Solidarity with the other is thus both a principle and a moral virtue

The universal common good requires the encouragement in all nations of every kind of reciprocation between citizens and their intermediate societies...

The deep feelings of paternal love for all of humanity which God has implanted in our heart make it impossible for us to view without bitter anguish of spirit the plight of those who for political reasons have been exiled from their own homelands. There are a great number of such refugees at the present time, and many are the sufferings - the incredible sufferings - to which they are constantly exposed.

Pacem in Terris, §100/3.

How does this impacton migration issues?

•Migration is part of increasing social fragmentation

•Solidarity demands the creation and support of social relationships

•This means creating spaces for speaking and listening to migrants

•Engaging in civil society to create such spaces

3. Subsidiarity

•Decisions should be made closely in relation to those they impact

•Often this means local - but everything has its proper level

•Trying to appropriate decisions to the wrong level develops unhealthy systems

‘Subsidiarity respects personal dignity by recognising in the person a subject who is always capable of giving something to others’Caritas in Veritate, § 57.

‘Every social activity ought of its very nature to furnish help to the members of the body social, and never destroy or absorb them’Quadregesimo Anno, § 80.

How does this impacton migration issues?•To respond to the causes of

displacement is the work of states at the international level

•There is also the work in civic society to create communities that welcome migrants

• Local work is done between persons to support migrants and help them integrate

4. Common good• It is aiming at the common good which

underlines the work of solidarity and subsidiarity

• The wellbeing of the community is important

• It is the condition for human flourishing

• Thus collective and individual goods must be balanced within the common good

• Doing so fairly is a question of social justice - and is the task of each of us

Every day human interdependence grows more tightly drawn and spreads by degrees over the whole world. As a result the common good, that is, the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment, today takes on an increasingly universal complexion and consequently involves rights and duties with respect to the whole human race. Every social group must take account of the needs and legitimate aspirations of other groups, and even of the general welfare of the entire human family.

Gaudium et Spes, § 26)

How does this impacton migration issues?

• The protection of the vulnerable is part of the conditions for human flourishing

• Migrants are both vulnerable group – andcontribute to a diverse and nuanced society

• Common good is the concern of all levels of society - individual, community, state, civic society

• Migrants must be welcomed at each level