Catholic Social Teaching Overview:
WHAT IS CATHOIC SOCIAL TEACHING?
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CST strives to foster a living faith that leads to loving action in the world today.
CST embodies core themes (7 catholic social teaching principles) and responses to challenges
that face human beings in an ever changing world.
It is not a fixed body of writings or doctrine but grows, develops and changes over time in order
to respond to the needs of what is relevant in the world that exists.
WHERE DOES CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING COME FROM?
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Biblical resources- the living word of God
Moral resources- Grows out of scripture and engages human reason, knowing, and experience.
Ecclesial Resources- writings of Popes and Bishops (ex. Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII).
WHAT IS THE METHOD OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING?
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It begins with God.
It reads the sign of the times.
It raises moral and ethical questions.
It strives to form the Christian community.
It teaches in order to form consciences.
It strives to form Christian community.
It calls for a response that will lead to transformative action. It presents principles and takes
principled stands. It does not offer complete models or ideologies.
It seeks greater peace and greater justice.