Principles%20of%20Catholic%20Social%20Teaching

1
Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
2
OBJECTIVES

• 1. To acquire an understanding of the basic
  Principles of Social Teachings of the Church.
• 2. To heighten awareness of the realities of
  human poverty and social injustice, and to be
  able to respond to the call of the Church.
• 3. Praise and glorify God for giving us the
  opportunity to serve Him through our neighbors.

3
(No Transcript)
4

• It is an authoritative Church teaching on social,
  political and economic issues.
• it enables us in our struggle to live our faith
  in justice and peace.

5
Philippine Church Social Teaching

• The Bishops specifically focus on
• Widening gap between the rich and the poor
• Reality of unemployment
• Malnutrition and hunger
• Violation of human rights
• Threats of war and violence

6
PCP II gives attention to

• Tribal Filipinos
• Children and youth
• Women
• Peasants
• Urban poor
• Disabled

7

• VIDEO Filipino children driven to the streets

8
ScripturesMark 12 41-44The poor Widows
Contribution
9
Jesus tells us that the widow didnt simply give
what was left over after she had bought
everything she needed for the week. Instead, she
sacrificed her own needs so that she could give
to the needs of others. Caring for one another
isnt something relegated (referred) to the very
rich. We are all called to contribute to the
needs of our brothers and sisters. Jesus reminds
us that generosity and charity are essential to
the Christian life.
10
CHRUCH TEACHINGS
Pope Benedict XVI states, If we love others with
charity, then first of all we are just towards
them. Not only is justice not extraneous to
charity, not only is it not an alternative or
parallel path to charity justice is inseparable
from charity, and intrinsic to it. Justice is the
primary way of charity. Charity in Truth
(Caritas in Veritate),
11
GROUP ACTIVITY

• General Instructions
• Bring 1 whole sheet of paper as you go to your
  respective group.

12
GROUP ACTIVITY

• General Instructions
• Bring 1 whole sheet of paper as you go to your
  respective group.
• Listen carefully to the reporters and answer the
  following questions.

13
GROUP ACTIVITY

1. Explain briefly each principle.
2. As Paulinian, how can you apply this principle in
   your life?

14

• Questions to ponder on
• What are some examples of people whose life and
  dignity are being disrespected and/or abused?

15
(No Transcript)
16

• Questions to ponder on
• How can we improve our efforts to increase
  awareness and commitment to this principle?

17

• Examples
• education
• politics
• culture
• religion
• economy

18
(No Transcript)
19

• Examples
• basic right to life
• survival rights

20
Survival RightsRights that are necessary for
people to be able to live.

• food and water
• shelter
• basic health care

21
Rights to those things necessary to become
everything God intended us to be.

• Also, the right to
• live by ones conscience
• live by ones religion
• live without discrimination

• education
• employment
• safe environment
• certain material goods

22
With rights come responsibilities.Rights are not
unlimited.

• We have the responsibility for
• the good of others
• the good of the whole society
• We are responsible for the well-being of our
  neighbor.

23
Subsidiarity

• Example
• 1. city
• 2. country
• 3. state

• Decisions affecting the community should be made
  at the lowest level possible.
• Governments and large organizations exist only
  to serve the good of
• human beings
• families
• communities

• What rights do we have as members of a community?
• What responsibilities do we have to the community?

24
We are called to emulate (imitate) God by showing
a special preference for those who are poor and
weak. We put the needs of societys most poor and
vulnerable members first among social concerns.
Reminder The poor vulnerable (weak, helpless)
are not only without money, but are also deprived
of their basic rights or of equal participation
in society.
25
Option for the Poor

• Option- does not mean an optional alternative but
  rather, a decision and commitment in favor of the
  poor

• Preferential- signifies the choice of the poor as
  a priority of Christian witnessing to justice and
  solidarity

26
Why this concern for the poor and vulnerable?

• Not because they are more valuable
• But because their need is greater.
• Questions to ponder on
• Who are the poor and
• vulnerable in our society today?
• Whose need is great?

27

• The option for the poor is part of the Churchs
  mission throughout her two-millennium history.
• The church stands for justice and it has the duty
  to fight oppression.

28
Work provides families with the things they need
to live and flourish.

• Work exists for people, not people for work.
• The value of work is measured by whether it
  promotes the human dignity of the worker.
• Work well done contributes to the common good.

• What is it about work that helps us to feel our
  human dignity?
• What does work contribute to your sense of
  well-being and worth?

29

• a Filipino family of five needed P5,458 to meet
  basic food needs every month. Families earning
  that amount were considered to be living in
  extreme poverty
• A family of five family would need P7,821 to meet
  both food and non-food needs (such as clothing,
  housing, transportation, health, education) every
  month. Family earning that much is considered to
  be living in poverty.
• http//newsinfo.inquirer.net/396237/ph-poverty-unc
  hanged

30
Workers RightsThose things that contribute to
the dignity of work

• Question to ponder on
• What recent news stories disclose situations
  where these rights may have been violated?

• Right to
• employment
• decent and fair pay
• a safe workplace
• honest employers
• organize and join unions

31
Sometimes we just follow the economic law of
supply and demand, but we disregard the rights of
the people.
32
3. Human work

• Work is a human right.

33
Children are compelled to work in dangerous and
life threatening conditions. In Philippines there
are about 2.06 million children who are forced to
work in rock quarries, farms, industries, mines
and on fishing boats.
34

• We are all responsible to
• Stand by the poor and vulnerable
• Take action to support the violation of rights.
• Learn more about the situations of those whose
  rights have been violated.
• Put ourselves in their position (metaphorically
  or literally).

Question to ponder on Think of examples of
people you know who practice the principle of
solidarity.
35

• We are called to live our faith
• in relationship with all of Gods creation
• and to be stewards of that creation.
• Protect the health of people
• Protect the health of the planet

Question to ponder on Make a list of examples
where our society has misused its stewardship
destroying the balance between human need and
protection of creation.
36
Recap of Principles

1. human dignity
2. Call to family, community, and participation
3. Rights and responsibilities/duties
4. Option for the poor and vulnerable
5. The dignity of work and rights of workers
6. Solidarity
7. Care for Gods creation

37
Group activity

• Work as a team.(by pair)
• Illustrate what you think your city or town would
  look like if the community fully practiced the
  principles of Catholic social teaching. (be
  creative)
• What would be different?
• Present your vision of a community
• based on the principles of Catholic social
  teaching.
• USE SHORT BOND PAPER

38
Group activity Example
ILLUSTRATION _________________ VISION
39
What are the different realities that challenge
these principles?

• As young member of the Church what can you
  contribute to make these principles a reality in
  our life?

40
Reminders

• Tomorrow-project making
• -BRING YOUR GADGETS AND OTHER MATERIALS NEEDED
  FOR PROJECT MAKING
• -SUBMIT GADGETS SLIPS TO YOUR ADVISER

41
Reminders

• Monday
• Group activity
• Sharing/Discussion about encyclicals
• Thursday
• Quiz about Encyclicals and project presentation
• Friday
• Presentation of project and requirements

42
Racism
Drug trafficking abuse
Denial of basic rights
Materialism
Apathy
Poverty wages
World Realities that challenge these principles
Religious discrimination
Class economic divisions
Physical abuse children, prisoners, etc.
Corruption
43
. Let us see the following encyclicals for us to
know our Christian role in society remembering
that we are our brothers keepers.
44
An encyclical is a letter from the Holy Father
that is a teaching document. Its audience is
every Catholic and all people of good will.  A
social encyclical applies the consistent,
traditional moral teachings of the Church to the
social and economic challenges of the current
day.  For example, the most recent social
encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, was written to
address the current economic crisis and other
issues facing the world today, and deals with
moral aspects of economic life, poverty and
development, human rights and duties,
environmental responsibility, and other moral and
economic issues.
45
Modern Catholic Social Teaching
Modern Catholic Social Teaching
1891 Rerum Novarum Leo XIII 1931 Quadragesimo
Anno Pius XI 1961 Mother and Teacher John
XXIII 1963 Peace on Earth John
XXIII 1965 Church in the Modern World Vatican
II 1967 The Development of Peoples Paul
VI 1971 A Call to Action Paul VI 1971 Justice
in the World Synod of Bishops1979 Redeemer of
Humanity John Paul II 1981 On Human Work John
Paul II 1988 On Social Concern John Paul
II 1991 The One Hundredth Year John Paul
II 1995 The Gospel of Life John Paul II
46
RERUM NOVARUM (Of New Things)

• Official English Title The Condition of Labor
• Author Pope Leo XIII
• Date May 15, 1891
• A.    Introduction
• In this encyclical, Pope Leo XIII examines the
  situation of poor people and workers in
  industrialized countries.
• He states several important principles

• that should guide the response to the needs
  of these people. He then articulates the role of
  the Church, workers and employers, and the law
  and public authorities in working together to
  build a just society. Employers are given the
  major role as agents for change.

47

• and North American workers at the end of the
  19th century prompted the writing of Rerum
  Novarum. The document was inspired by the work of
  the Fribourg Union, a Catholic Social Action
  movement in Germany, and by requests from the
  hierarchy in England, Ireland and the United
  States.

• The Church has the right to speak out on social
  issues. Her role is to teach social principles
  and bring social classes together. The states
  role is to create a just society through laws
  that preserve rights.
• B. Historical Note
• The horrible exploitation and poverty of European

48
RERUM NOVARUM

• C. Situation
• The existence of much poverty during that time.
  Because of the Industrial Revolution, workers are
  being exploited by profit-hungry employers.
  Public authorities are not protecting the rights
  of the poor.

• D. Major Areas of Concern
• Promotion of Human Dignity
• Care for the Poor
• Rights of Workers
• Role of Private Property
• Duties of Workers and Employers
• Return to Christian Morals
• Role of Public Authority

49
II. Quadragesimo Anno (After Forty
Years)

• Official English Title The Reconstruction of the
  Social Order
• Author Pope Pius XI
• Date May 15, 1931 A.    Introduction
• Pope Pius XI covers three major areas in his
  encyclical After Forty Years. First he
  describes the impact of Leo XIIIx Rerum Novarum
  on the Church,

• civil authorities, and other concerned
  parties. Secondly, Pius XI clarifies and develops
  the social and economic doctrine contained in
  Rerum Novarum. He articulates a positive role in
  the Church in economic and social affairs and
  affirms the social responsibility of ownership.
  He advocates a unity between capital

50
QUADRAGESIMO ANNO

• B. Historical Note
• Quadragesimo Anno commemorates the 40th
  anniversary of Rerum Novarum. Pope Pius XI wrote
  and issued this encyclical during a time when a
  major depression was shaking the economic and
  social foundations of society. He strongly
  criticizes the

• and labor and urges the uplifting of the poor
  and a reform of the social order based on a
  re-establishment of vocational groups. Finally,
  Pius XI treats the abuses of capitalism and
  socialism and calls for the moral renovation of
  society coupled with action for justice based on
  love.

51
QUADRAGESIMO ANNO

• the abuses of both capitalism and communism
  and attempts to update Catholic social teaching
  to reflect changed conditions. He broadens the
  Churchs concern for the poor workers to
  encompass the structures which oppress them.

• C.    Situation
• A response to the Great Depression, which began
  in 1929 and rocked the world. In Europe,
  democracy has declined and dictators have emerged
  to take power.

52
QUADRAGESIMO ANNO

• Major Areas of Concern
• The Role of the Church
• Responsible Ownership
• Labor and Capital
• Public Authority
• Just Social Order
• Capitalism and Socialism
• Concept of Subsidiarity

• Focus on the Poor and Structures that Oppress
  them

53
III. MATER ET MAGISTRA(Mother and Teacher)

• Official English Title Christianity and Social
  Progress
• Author Pope John XXIII
• Date May 15, 1961
• A. Introduction
• Pope John XXIII begins this encyclical by
  reviewing the major points of Rerum Novarum and
  Quadragesimo Anno.

• He notes that new political, social, and
  economic developments have necessitated Mater et
  Magistra. He confirms previous Papal teachings on
  the value of private initiative, just
  renumeration for work, and the social function of
  private property. John XXIII then treats the
  questions of agriculture

54
MATER ET MAGISTRA

• and aid to developing countries. He urges a
  reconstruction of social relationships according
  to the principles of Catholic social teaching and
  states the responsibility of individual
  Christians to work for a more just world.

• B. Historical Note
• Pope John XXIII issued Mater et Magistra in
  response to the severe imbalances between the
  rich and the poor which exist in the world. The
  encyclical commemorates the 70th anniversary of
  Pope Leo XIIIs Rerum Novarum. John XXIII

55
MATER ET MAGISTRA

• internationalizes the Catholic social
  teaching by treating for the first time, the
  situation of countries which are not fully
  industrialized. He articulates and important role
  for the laity in applying the Churchs social
  teachings in the world.
• C. Situation
• Technological

• advancements such as nuclear energy,
  automation, space exploration and improved
  communications facilities, pose complex, new
  problems for industrialized nations. Meanwhile,
  millions live in poverty in Asia, Africa and
  Latin America.

56
MATER ET MAGISTRA

• D. Major Areas of Concern
• Just Remuneration
• Subsidiarity
• Agriculture
• Economic Development
• Role of the Church
• International Cooperation
• Socialization
• See, Judge, Act as motto for Effective lay
  Involvement

57
IV. PACEM IN TERRIS (Peace on Earth)

• Official English Title Peace on Earth
• Author Pope John XXIII
• Date April 11, 1963
• A. Introduction
• In Pacem in Terris, John XXIII contends that
  peace can be established only if the order set
  down by God is fully observed. Relying
  extensively on reason

• and natural law tradition, John XXIII
  sketches a list of rights and duties to be
  followed by individuals, public authorities,
  national governments and the world community.
  Peace needs to be based on an order found on
  truth, built according to justice, vivified and
  integrated by charity, and put into practice in
  freedom.

58
PACEM IN TERRIS

• B. Historical Note
• Written at the beginning of Vatican II, Pacem in
  Terris was the first encyclical addressed to all
  people of good will. Issued shortly after the
  Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and the erection of
  the Berlin Wall, this document spoke to a world
  aware of the dangers of nuclear war.

• Its optimistic tone and development of a
  philosophy of rights made a significant
  impression on Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
  C. Situation
• Follows two early Cold War events the erection
  of the Berlin Wall (August 1961 and the Cuban
  Missile Crisis (October 1962).

59
PACEM IN TERRIS

• D. Major Areas of Concern
• Rights and Duties of People
• Role of Public Authorities
• Common Good
• Christian World Order
• International Relations
• Disarmament

60
V. GAUDIUM ET SPES (Joy and Hope)

• A. Introduction
• Vatican II's Pastoral Constitution is the most
  important document in the Churchs social
  tradition. It announces the duty of the People of
  God to scrutinize the signs of the times in the
  light of the Gospel. In doing so, it finds that
  change characterizes the world.

• Official English Title (The Pastoral
  Constitution on) The Church in the Modern World
• Author The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II)
  promulgated by Pope Paul VI
• Date December 7, 1965

61
GAUDIUM ET SPES

• These technological and social changes provide
  both wonderful opportunities and worrisome
  difficulties for the spread of the Gospel. The
  Churchs duty in the world is to work for the
  enhancement of human dignity and the common good.

• B.      B. Historical Note
• The document represents the opinion of the
  overwhelming majority of the worlds bishops.
  Originally, the material contained in the
  Pastoral Constitution was not scheduled to be
  considered separately by the Council. Cardinal
  Joseph Suenens of Belgium, however, intervened to
  ensure

62
GAUDIUM ET SPES

• consideration of issues more external to
  the Church than the role of bishops or the use of
  vernacular in the liturgy. It is the product of a
  commission and altered by a 2,300 member
  deliberative assembly. It represents a
  significant break from the rigid traditionalism
  of the Council preparatory Commission.    

•   C. Situation
• The Cold War and the Arms Race still loom.
  Discussion of Gaudium et Spes was slotted after
  Cardinal Suenens spoke up after the 1st Session
  of Vatican II asking that the council also
  address issues more external than liturgical
  change.

63
GAUDIUM ET SPES

• D. Major Areas of Concern
• Human Dignity
• Common Good
• Signs of the Times
• Public Responsibility
• Respect for Families
• Right of Culture
• Justice and Development
• Peace

64
VI. POPULORUM PROGRESSIO (Development of Peoples)

• Official English Title On the Development of
  Peoples
• Author Pope Paul VI
• Date March 26, 1967
• A.  Introduction
• In Populorum Progressio, Paul VI responds to the
  issue of development. He explores the nature of
  poverty and the conflicts it produces. He
  articulates the role of the

• Church in the process of development and
  sketches a Christian vision of development. The
  Pope calls for urgent action which respects the
  universal purpose of created things. He advocates
  economic planning and aid to promote development.
  Paul VI urges equity in trade relations as well
  as universal charity.

65
POPULORUM PROGRESSIO

• He concludes by terming development as the new
  name for peace and exhorts all Christians to
  strive for justice.
• B.  Historical Note
• In this encyclical, Paul VI enlarges the scope of
  Leo XIIIs treatment of the struggle between the
  rich and the poor classes to encompass the
  conflict between rich and poor nations.

• Populorum Progressio is the first encyclical
  devoted entirely to the development issue. The
  Pope stresses the economic sources of war and
  highlights economic justice as the basis of
  peace. More so than any of his predecessors, Paul
  VI explicitly criticizes basic tenets of
  capitalism, including the profit motive and the

66
C.

• unrestricted right of private property.
• C. Situation
• The Vietnam War rages and African nations are
  fighting wars of independence.

• D. Major Areas of Concern
• Human Aspirations
• Structural Injustice
• New Humanism
• The Common Good
• Economic Planning
• International Trade
• Peace

67
VII.OCTOGESIMA ADVENIENS (80th Anniversary)

• Official English Title A Call to Action
• Author Pope Paul VI
• Date May 14. 1971
• A.  Introduction
• Pope Paul VI begins this letter by urging greater
  efforts for justice and noting the duties of
  local churches to respond to specific situations.

• The Pope then discusses a wide variety of new
  social problems which stem from urbanization.
  These issues include women, youth, and the New
  Poor. Paul VI next treats modern aspirations
  and ideas, especially liberalism and Marxism. He
  stresses the need to ensure equality and the
  right of all to participate in society.

68
OCTOGESIMA ADVENIENS

• . He concludes this letter by encouraging all
  Christians to reflect on their contemporary
  situations, apply Gospel principles and take
  political action when appropriate.
• B. Historical Note
• Octogesima Adveniens is an open, apostolic letter
  from Paul VI to

• Cardinal Maurice Roy, president of the Pontifical
  Commission on Justice and Peace, to commemorate
  the 80th anniversary of the publication of Pope
  Leo XIIIs Rerum Novarum. Octogesima
  Adveniensbreaks new ground by developing a theory
  of the role of

69
OCTOGESIMA ADVENIENS

• individual Christians and local Churches in
  responding to situations of injustices.
• C. Situation
• The world is verging on a recession, so the
  new poor are especially vulnerable. In the
  U.S., follows a decade of action on behalf of
  civil rights, led by Martin Luther King Jr.
  coincides with

• the womens movement of the early 1970s and
  continuing student protests against the Vietnam
  War.
• D. Major Areas of Concern
• V Urbanization
• V Role of Local Churches
• V Duties of Individual Christians
• V Political Activity
• V Worldwide Dimensions of Justice

70
VIII. LABOREM EXERCENS ( From Labor Derived)

• Official English Title On Human Work
• Author Pope John Paul II
• Date September 14, 1981
• Introduction
• Laborem Exercens, the 3rd encyclical of Pope John
  Paul II commemorates the 90th anniversary of
  Rerum Novarum.

• John Paul II affirms the dignity of work and
  places work at the center of the social question.
  The encyclical states that human beings are the
  proper subject of work. Work expresses and
  increases human dignity. The Pope stresses the
  priority of labor over things while criticizing
  systems which do not embody these principles.

71
LABOREM EXERCENS

• He supports the rights of workers and unions.
  John Paul concludes Laborem Exercens by outlining
  a spirituality of work.
• B.  Historical Note
• Laborem Exercens represents a clear and succinct
  statement of John Paul IIs thoughts on the
  social question. Written almost entirely

• by the Pope himself, the encyclical reflects
  statements made while he was a polish prelate and
  those made during the 1st years of his
  Pontificate. Laborem Exercens develops and
  refines the Churchs teachings on property and
  its criticisms of capitalism and Marxism.

72
LABOREM EXERCENS

• C. Situation
• On the 90th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, huge
  numbers of people are unemployed or
  underemployed. Migrant workers are typically
  exploited.

• D. Major Areas of Concern
• The Dignity of Work
• Capitalism and Socialism
• Property
• Unions
• Employment
• Spirituality of Work

73
IX. SOLLICITUDO REI SOCIALIS(On the Social
Concerns of the Church)

• Official English Title On Social Concern
• Author Pope John Paul II
• Date December 30, 1987
• A. Introduction
• While praising the optimism and innovation of
  Populorum Progressio, the document being
  commemorated notes serious backsliding on issues
  of development.

• Twenty years worth of unfulfilled hopes include
  obvious gap between northern and southern
  hemispheres, global debt (forcing nations to
  export capital), unemployment and
  underemployment. There should be a unity of the
  world, not a First World, Second World,
  Third World, or Fourth World.

74
SOLLICITUDO REI SOCIALIS

• B. Historical Note
• Outright underdevelopment abounds, a result of
  the ideological opposition existing between
  East-West blocs and their strong penchants to
  militarism (wars by proxy), imperialism,
  neo-colonialism and exaggerated concerns for
  security.

• Their competition blocks cooperation and
  solidarity. Chastises the West for abandoning
  itself to a growing selfish isolation. Chastises
  the East for ignoring its duty to alleviate human
  misery. In fuelling the arms trade, both blocs
  contribute to refugee populations an increased
  terrorism.

75
SOLLICITUDO REI SOCIALIS

• C. Situation
• World economy is in flux debt, unemployment,
  and recession hitting affluent and poor nations
  alike.
• D. Major Areas of Concern
• Omission on the Part of Developing Nations

• Developed Nations not Helping the Poor Nations
• Existence of economic, financial, and social
  mechanisms which often function to benefit rich
  nations (IMF, WB, MNC, GATT, WTO, etc.)
• Opposition between Two Concepts of Developments

76
X. Centesimus Annus (The Hundredth
Year)

• Official English Title On the Centenary of Rerum
  NovarumAuthor Pope John Paul II
• Date May 1, 1991
• A. Introduction
• Marking the 100th anniversary of Catholic social
  teaching using Rerum Novarum as its frame of
  reference looks to the new things shaping the
  world today.

• B. Historical Note
• While democracy and social conflict are each
  discussed, the fall of real socialism in the
  Eastern Bloc nations invites a lengthy
  discussion. The fundamental error of socialism
  is that it is based on an atheistic view of
  humanity instead of a transcendent one leads to
  a social order

77
Centesimus Annus

• without reference to the persons dignity and
  responsibility.
• C. Situation
• The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

• D. Major Areas of Concern
• Dignity of Workers and Labor
• Right to Private Property not Absolute
• Right to Establish Professional Associations
• Right to Discharge Ones Religious Duties
• Labor Unions to Uphold Workers Rights

78
Catholic Social Teaching Summary of Key
Encyclicals and Documents

• 1. Rerum Novarum On the Condition of Labour (Leo
  XIII, 1891)
• Lays out rights and responsibilities of capital
  and labour
• Upholds the right to private property
• Condemns atheistic communism
• 2. Quadragesimo Anno On Reconstructing the
  Social Order (Pius XI, 1931)
• Condemns the effects of greed and concentrated
  political and economic power
• Proposes social organisation be based on
  principle of subsidiarity

79
Catholic Social Teaching Summary of Key
Encyclicals and Documents

• 3. Mater et Magistra Mother and Teacher (John
  XXIII, 1961)
• Identifies the widening gap between the rich and
  poor nations as a global concern of justice
• Raises concerns about the arms race
• Calls upon Christians to work for a more just
  world.

80

• 4. Pacem in Terris Peace on Earth (John XXIII,
  1963)
• Focus on human rights as basis for peace
• Calls for disarmament
• States need for world-wide institution to promote
  and safeguard universal common good
• 5. Gaudium et Spes Church in the Modern World
  (1965)
• Recognition that church immersed in the world
• Condemns poverty
• Warns about threat of nuclear war
• Build structures to uphold justice and peace

81
Catholic Social Teaching Summary of Key
Encyclicals and Documents

• 6. Populorum Progressio On the Development of
  Peoples (Paul VI, 1967)
• Focuses on human development the new name for
  peace
• Condemns situations contributing to global
  poverty
• Calls for new international organisations and
  agreements to promote justice and peace
• 6. Octogesima Adveniens An Apostolic Letter A
  Call to Action (Paul VI, 1971)
• Calls for political response to economic
  injustice
• Develops role of local churches in response to
  unjust situations

82

• 7. Justice in the World (Synod of Bishops, 1971)
• Action for justice key dimension of preaching
  the gospel
• 9. Evangelii Nuntiandi Evangelisation in the
  Modern World (Paul VI, 1975)
• Links work of doing justice with evangelisation
• Gospel seen as liberation from oppressive
  cultures
• 10. Laborum Exercens On Human Work (John Paul
  II, 1981)
• Affirms dignity of work and of worker
• Affirms rights of labour
• Calls for workplace justice

83

• 11. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis The Social
  Concerns of the Church (John Paul II, 1987)
• Option for the poor as a central tenet of
  Church teaching
• develops notions of solidarity, structures of
  sin and social mortgage on property
• Suggests resources for arms race be used to
  alleviate human misery
• Nature must be considered in development

84
Catholic Social Teaching Summary of Key
Encyclicals and Documents

• 12. Peace with God the Creator, Peace with
  Creation Pastoral Letter (John Paul II, 1990)
• Ecological crisis - moral crisis facing humanity
• Respect for nature and ecological responsibility
  - key tenet of faith
• Integrity of creation to be upheld
• Ecological education - nurture new global
  solidarity including nature

85
Catholic Social Teaching Summary of Key
Encyclicals and Documents

• 13. Centesimus Annus One Hundred Years (John
  Paul II, 1990 )
• Reaffirms the principles of Catholic Social
  Teaching over one hundred years
• Celebrates Rerum Novarum
• Identifies the failures of both socialist and
  market economies
• (This Summary has been adapted and developed from
  NETWORK 1998, Shaping a New World, pp 5-11)

86
16 Documents of Second Vatican Council
Document Name English Title Year
1. Sacrosanctum Concilium Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy 1963
2. Inter Mirifica Decree on the Media 1963
3. Lumen Gentium Dogmatic Constitution on the Church 1964
4. Orientalium Ecclesiarum Decree on the Catholic Eastern Churches 1964
5. Unitatis Redintegratia Decree on Ecumenism 1964
87
Document Name English Title Year
6. Christus Dominus Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops 1965
7. Perfectae Caritatis Decree on the Renewal of Religious Life 1965
8. Optatam Totius Decree on the Training of Priests 1965
9. Gravissimum Educationis Declaration on Christian Education 1965
10. Nostra Aetate Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions 1965
88
Document Name English Title Year
11. Dei Verbum Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation 1965
12. Apostolicam Actuositatem Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity 1965
13. Dignitatis Humanae Declaration on Religious Liberty 1965
14. Ad Gentes Divinitus Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity 1965
15. Presbyterorum Ordinis Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests 1965
16. Gaudium et Spes) Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World 1965