Stage 3A
Catholic Understanding and
Teaching regarding Work
The Search For Meaning
Research a person/people who
Examples of people from the present sought meaning and purpose:
or the past that have struggles with
Specific life details of a
and/or pursued a spiritual journey in person/people that
search of meaning and purpose in
demonstrate the spiritual
their life
journey (identify specifically
what the person was searching
for in life)
Vatican Council II
Marriage
Prevailing beliefs in a particular
period in society and ways religion
questions and interacts with these
beliefs.
Prevailing beliefs about nature
of work: Work to gain wealth.
Catholic response: work is
necessary part of our humanity
– labour and toil using God
given gifts.
Vocation regarded as a
religious pursuit pre-Vatican II
Prevailing societal views regarding
divorce/ Homosexuality. Pressure
groups (the Greens) seeking
recognition of Homosexual marriage.
Religious beliefs systems
Scripture – teaching regarding
work and vocation – continuity
throughout history
Genesis – Gospels – St Paul –
Vatican Council II - Leborum
Excercens.
Continuity of religious belief through
time
Changes in expression of religious
beliefs through time
Societal views regarding
sexuality in the 1950’s/1960’s.
Response of the Church in the
spirit of Vatican Council II.
The sanctity of marriage
Foundation of Marriage in the
scriptures (eg. 6th Commandment). The
Sacrament of Matrimony (divine
institution): Catechism of the Catholic
Church
Vatican II Council Changes to
the Mass – Latin to the
Vernacular;
Changes to the Sanctuary;
Laity involvement etc.
Expressions of Ecumenism:
Pope JPII
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Religious practices and structures
Processes and organizational
structures that enable a particular
religion to respond to important
internal issues
Vatican II Council responds
challenges facing its mission:
Mission to the Faithful and
Mission to the World (Lumen
Gentium).
Understanding how religious beliefs
are expressed in particular societies
Differences between the
Orthodox and Catholic
Communities eg. Married
Priest
Article “Breath with both
Lungs”
How does an Orthodox vary to
Roman Catholic (Latin Rite)
How contexts influence the
expression of beliefs
Context of Vatican Council II –
Influence of changing societal
values and attitudes on the
expressions of the Church eg.
Mass in the Vernacular.
Expression of Sacrament of Marriage in
the Catholic Church.
The place of religion in society
Local Australian and global
perspectives on a variety of issues
and ways these perspectives
compare with those found in religion
Divorce / Homosexuality variety of
perspectives in society compared to
Catholic perspective eg. Greens
promote legislation for homosexual
marriage.
Similarities and differences among
Catholic/ Christian beliefs
and within religions in their attitudes share similar attitudes towards
to a variety of issues
work with Judaism, Islam.
Anglican Church/ Orthodox Church/
Catholic Church on Divorce, female
priest, homosexuality
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Religion in historical and cultural
contexts
Circumstances that shape the causes,
course and effects of issues and/or
events that are significant for
religions in their interactions with
societies.
Contemporary Issues for Religion
Contemporary and/or possible
future trends that impact on and
shape societies
Nature of issues generating tension
and conflict in contemporary
societies
Background to Vatican II
Council – the 1960’s, Sexual
revolution, Communism/Cold
War; etc. leads to VCII.
The common place of divorce within
society: Breakdown of the sanctity of
marriage.
Break down of traditional family unit?
The growing protests and pressures for
Homosexual Marriage to be recognised
(legalized): Divides society? De Facto
Relationships.
Nature of issue of Divorce: Common
within Western society. Accepted and
legal within society. Tension often
arises between secular and Catholic
understanding (divorce not
recognized). De Facto Relationship
contrary to Catholic teaching regarding
sexuality.
Homosexuality: Divisive issue within
society. Homosexual marriage not
legally binding within Australia.
Homosexuality regarded as sin by the
Catholic Church. Marriage between a
Man and Woman only. Both issues are
divisive in nature between secular
society and the Church, as well as the
Church itself. Catholic laity do not
necessarily agree with Catholic
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Ways religions respond to these
challenges
What motivates religions to respond
to these issues and the reasons for
their response.
doctrine and position on the issues
Teaching of the Catholic Church in
response to Divorce/Homosexuality
While Church teachings regarding the
morality of the issues remain
unchangeable, focus on the dignity of
the human person – careful not to
‘reject’ people. See the whole person.
Specific scripture references needed to
support the foundation of Catholic
doctrine from both Old and New
Testaments. Doctrine (and therefore
the scriptures) motivate Catholic
responses any issue.
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