Historical Development of Catholic Social Teaching PDF

Historical Development of Catholic Social Teaching Historical Development of Catholic Social Teaching How did the Social Teachings of the Church develop? The BIBLE is a source of Catholic Social Teaching.  The BIBLE is the foundation of a Judeo- Christian vision of life... [Bible] disc...

Historical Development of Catholic Social Teaching Historical Development of Catholic Social Teaching How did the Social Teachings of the Church develop? The BIBLE is a source of Catholic Social Teaching.  The BIBLE is the foundation of a Judeo- Christian vision of life... [Bible] discloses the kind of God… [a God who is] interested in the world, in human history, and in the manner in which humans live in community. (Donahue, 2005)  Justice in the Old Testament Sedakah – often translated as righteousness (sedeq = justice) Righteousness in the biblical sense, goes beyond personal rectitude of following rules, laws and commands. It has social character. “The biblical idea of justice can be described as fidelity to the demands of a relationship.” - Donahue Justice in the Old Testament Mishpath – to judge Characterized not simply as the judgment of God and his capability to punish and reward individuals but again it has a social dimension, i.e., God’s governance that places order in the society. The Old Testament concepts of justice as both mishpath and sedakah, that are understood primarily within the context of Yahweh’s governance and one’s relationship both with Yahweh and his fellow human beings in the community, allows us to appreciate more the New Testament emphasis on the link between justice and charity.  Christ’s Active Role in Society Christ as a Teacher Christ’s teaching gives emphasis on ‘persons’ over the law, and on the virtues of justice and charity over the legal code. (Luke 10:25-37) Christ preaches the Kingdom of God - Calls people for metanoia (conversion of heart) - Conversion which is non-violent - Hopeful preparation for its realization in the future. Christ as a Liberator Christ heals and liberates people both from physical and spiritual illness. Christ’s liberation is also at the same time a restoration (personal and communal).  The early Christian community has endeavored to follow the examples of Christ. The Early Christian’s ability to instruct one another on the Social Involvement  Duty to give (Act 2:44-45; 20:35; Tim 6:17-19) It is not right for one to live in luxury while others live in want. – Clement of Alexandria  Deposits of Piety - according to Tertullian is used in feeding the needy, in burying them, in support of youths and maidens destitute of means and deprived of their parents, in the care of the aged, and the relief of the shipwrecked.  Endeavor to establish unity and solidarity (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11)  What the early Church has attempted to do is to find a way to incarnate the examples of Christ in their own social contexts and practices.  Early Church Constantine Theodosius I Middle Ages (First 500 Years) (Edict of Milan 313) (389-391) (500 - 1500 Years) Council of Nicea in 325  Even with the institutionalization of the Church within the Roman Empire, she remained to be an active agent for The Middle social justice.Ages and the Continuing Catholic Social Teaching Tradition St. Thomas Aquinas on: Distribution of Wealth – It requires Justice which is a “habit whereby man renders to each one his due by a constant and perpetual will.”  War was commonly accepted as a legitimate means to further the political influence of a particular city or state. St. Thomas Aquinas identified three requirements that need to be present before a party could justifiably wage a war against another: 1. The legitimate authority: Thomas Aquinas‘ political philosophy assigns legitimate power to an authority for the management of the citizens‘ well-being. 2. Just Cause: There has to be just causes for engaging into a war, like restoring a lost social order. 3. Right intention: the ruler who declares war must have the right intention, like upholding the state‘s order and bringing out a certain good.  Two important considerations then are included in a just war: Jus ad bellum (considerations on “why” we are going into war and Jus in bello (considerations on “how” are we supposed to engage in war). St. Dominic de Guzman and St. Francis of Assisi The practice of evangelical poverty refers to the voluntary giving up of personal possessions. This is usually enclosed in the evangelical vows of those who enter the consecrated life. Evangelical poverty is a counter witness to the growing materialism of the world. It‘s a radical statement about man‘s confidence in the providence of the community and God. The Emerging Ideologies of the Modern Time Dark Ages (Medieval Period) VS Age of Enlightenment Two things are easily identified with the age of enlightenment: use of reason (as opposed to faith) and the autonomy (as opposed to obedience). The Church during the Middle Ages according to enlightenment thinker's values faith and obedience which are instruments of ignorance and oppression. Enlightenment period brought about changes in the society including the Industrial Revolution and the two ideologies of Capitalism and Socialism.  Industrial Revolution Roughly 1760 to 1850 Started parochially in England Introduction of New technology Rise of factories and salaried workers Mass production leads to surplus Surplus that results to profit Emergence of market Gave birth to capitalism The Birth of Capitalism and the Critique of Socialism Capitalists aimed towards profit. Markets are constructed for the interest of those who have the capital, who makes use of the same capital in order to generate more income or more profit, and thereby further enlarging the initial capitals.  Private ownership however has implications: a) Private property means absolute ownership: No one could impose on the owner the manner of using the owned property. b) Private property means exclusive use: we take note here of the stark distinction between this modern understanding and that of Aquinas‘ concept of private property which allows common use of property if there is a dire need (situation of great fear or worry). John Locke argues that any person is justified to gather as much property as he could as long as the acquisition is done through his/her legitimate labor. Hence, one’s labor is seen as the justification for one‘s acquisition of private properties. This has later on emerged as a doctrine of “entitlement,” which is also a central doctrine in the capitalist ideology. John Locke entertained a moral question on the issue of acquisition. He asked, is there a limit to what we can own? His answer was “spoilage” of one person’s produce suggests excess of one‘s acquisition. But, as long as there is no spoil, the extent of one‘s acquisition remains justified. However, this moral limitation set by the Lockean provision by the use of money. Two Values Promoted by Capitalism 1. Social Mobility – capability to rise from one social status to a better one depending on the effort one exerts. 2. Self-Direction –one’s own future is one’s own responsibility. It also highlights the principle of PRIVATE PROPERTY. However, there were those who were not convinced with the capitalist ideology. An alternative ideology has flourished, SOCIALISM, and it has several objections against the capitalist ideology: 1. The capitalist principles of self- direction and social mobility are myths and are only true for the rich and able members of the community. 2. Capitalism ignores, tolerates and even perpetuates unjust situations of resource - distribution: unequal distribution of goods, and the gap between rich and poor. 3. Capitalism endorses the pathology of isolated existence. Socialism promotes two alternative principles: Common Ownership to replace and abolish the concept of private property. Personal freedom must be replaced by government control that seeks for the implementation of the common good.  Following these new developments of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Church responded to the emerging social questions that accompanied them. These were the concerns that constitute the backdraft of the publication of the first social encyclical, Rerum Novarum (RN). Historical Development of Catholic Social Teaching