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
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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.
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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?
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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 impact
on migration issues?
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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 impact
on migration issues?
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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
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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 impact
on migration issues?
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The protection of the vulnerable is part of the
conditions for human flourishing
Migrants are both vulnerable group – and
contribute 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