Modern Social Teachings of the Church PDF

THEOLOGY 3: CHRISTIAN VISION OF THE CHURCH IN SOCIETY: Modern Social Teachings of the Church (RN-LS) In what way can we see the Church fulfilling her mission as a herald? How did the Social Teachings of the Church develop? PICTURE ANALYSIS: Instructions: LET’S WATCH!...

THEOLOGY 3: CHRISTIAN VISION OF THE CHURCH IN SOCIETY: Modern Social Teachings of the Church (RN-LS) In what way can we see the Church fulfilling her mission as a herald? How did the Social Teachings of the Church develop? PICTURE ANALYSIS: Instructions: LET’S WATCH! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7ORAKULel4 Let us analyze! In this post-modern world that exposes us to various information, how do we search for the truth? How do these information affect our way of thinking and doing especially in matters that affect the society? How does the Church enlighten us to the truth in order to respond to the challenges of our time? SOCIAL JUSTICE This is the exercise of God-given individual rights taken in relation to the common welfare. The Church defines certain principles of what we term “social justice”, that is applying the Law of God to conditions of present day economic and social life in order to carry out its primary objective of sanctifying and saving men, Social Role of the Church based on Social Encyclicals The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents.  What is an Encyclical? Comes from the Latin encyclicus (from the Greek ἐν κύκλῳ en kykloi) meaning general or encircling. A papal encyclical is a letter, usually treating some aspect of Catholic doctrine sent by the Pope addressed either to the Catholic bishops of a particular area or to the bishops of the world. The form of the address can vary widely, and often designates a wider audience Social Role of the Church based on Social Encyclicals The Church has the right to speak out on matters that affect religion and morality as they affect moral issues and social issues. The church through the use of the Gospel The church can principles can help educate people to reconcile and unify act justly. social classes. Social Role of the Church based on Social Encyclicals Individual Christian must advance The Church commits civil institutions, human dignity herself to the and foster a unity between humanization of life, peoples since the church and world justice, and humanity experience the same preferential option earthly situation (faith doing for the poor and justice). against social apathy. Catholic Social Encyclicals It gives us principles for reflection It provides criteria for judgment It gives guidelines for action Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, 1891 (Of New Things) Context: Industrial Revolution leads to exploiting workers. Message: First comprehensive document of social justice. Defends workers’ rights based on natural law. Rights include work, private property, just wage, workers’ associations.  Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, 1891 (Of New Things) Other themes: Property Issues and the Inequalities among People The encyclical then has The Compendium describes Rerum vocally criticized the Novarum as the encyclical which unequal distribution of “examines the condition of salaried wealth, and the huge gap workers, which was particularly between the rich and the distressing for industrial laborers who languished in inhumane misery. poor. Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, 1891 (Of New Things) Other Themes: Wage and Protection of Workers Rerum Novarum argues that the divide between people may be addressed if we move towards the improvement of the workplace. Wages are regulated by free consent…To avoid injustice, the government must intervene, seeing to it that workers receive what is due to them. (cf. RN, 43,45) The principal duty of employers is to give everyone what is just. (RN, 20)  Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, 1891 (Of New Things) Other themes: Solidarity and the workers’ unions RN supports the workingmen’s unions as legitimately supported by the notion of natural rights, and it criticizes the state’s tendency to suppress these unions. Workers’ unions are mechanisms not for its own sake but to ensure that the conditions are set so as to allow workers to maximally perform and use their full potentials Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 1931 (The Fortieth Year) Context: Fortieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum; Great Depression underway; dictatorships growing in Europe. Message: States need to reform greedy capitalist systems to which they have become slaves. Communism dangerous because condones violence and abolishes private property. Labor and capital need each other. Workers need just wage to acquire private property. International economic cooperation urged. Principle of “subsidiarity” introduced.  Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 1931 (The Fortieth Year) THEMES: On Economic Dictators Economic dictators refer to monopolies and powerful states, like the U.S., which dictated the global economy. QA argues that he presence of economic dictators that make the capitalist system hypocritical. Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 1931 (The Fortieth Year) THEMES: On Totalitarian Governments By totalitarian governments we mean those governments whose common life is decided only by the government with very minimal participation from the people.  Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 1931 (The Fortieth Year) The Principle of Subsidiarity Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do. For every social activity ought of its very nature to furnish help to the members of the body social, and never destroy and absorb them. (QA, § 79) John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961 (Mother and Teacher) Context: Entitled as Christianity and Social Progress, the encyclical Mater et Magistra was published by John XXIII on May 15, 1961. Science and technology advance in developed nations, while millions live in poverty in Third World. Growing animosity between the East and West blocs dubbed as the Cold War of powerful States that adopted the competing ideologies of socialism and capitalism. Rivalry Between US and USSR Armed Race Space Race Military Technology (Internet) John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961 (Mother and Teacher) Message: Disparity between rich and poor nations must be addressed. Arms race contributes to poverty. Economic imbalances cause threat to peace. Rich nations must help poor ones while respecting culture. Nations are interdependent and need to cooperate. Catholics should know social teaching and be active.  John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961 (Mother and Teacher) THEMES: A focus on the Agricultural Sector MM calls for a balanced aOenPon between industrial progress and the development of the agricultural sector. (emphasizes as well on common good, cooperaPon among naPons, populaPon increase, economic development) The Principle of Socializa6on The principle is discussed within the context increasing intervenPon of the State to propel the social condiPons of the least among us vis-à-vis the danger of threatening individual freedom amidst the increased intervenPon of the State (cf. MM, §59-67). John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961 (Mother and Teacher) Themes: The Principle of Socialization MM believes that every person deserves to get the basic needs regardless of his/her social condition, and so the community must feel responsible in making sure that everyone is properly aided in the pursuit of their basic needs. Hence, socialization is to be done where institutions have to be established in order to ensure that there are agencies that would look into the distribution of basic services to all citizens.  John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961 (Mother and Teacher) Themes: Family Farms and Cooperatives Mater et Magistra is its attention to the contribution of cooperatives and the kind of contribution that they can possibly give both for the empowerment of the workers and in enhancing balance within the economy towards the common good (cf. MM §§85-90). Support of the State, for the well-being and sustenance of cooperatives is particularly needed for the growth of the agricultural sector, specifically the family farms. (cf. MM §146) John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961 (Mother and Teacher) Themes: Responsibility of Wealthy Nations The encyclical, as early as the 1960s, have already insisted on the interdependence among nations (MM, §40). “[T]he solidarity which binds all men together as members of a common Family makes it impossible for wealthy nations to look with indifference upon the hunger, misery and poverty of other nations whose citizens are unable to enjoy even elementary human rights”(MM, §157). John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 1963 (Peace on Earth) Context: Two years after Mater et Magistra, John XXIII published another encyclical entitled Pacem in Terris on April 11, 1963. The encyclical was published at the height of the Cold War. The Berlin Wall was erected on March of 1962 and the Cuban Missile crisis of October 1962 almost brought the United States of America and Russia to another major war. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 1963 (Peace on Earth) Message: Peace ensured through social rights and responsibili4es-- between people; between ci4zens and public authori4es; between states; among na4ons. World needs to recognize rights of women. Arms race goes against jus4ce, reason and human dignity. United Na4ons needs to be strengthened  John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 1963 (Peace on Earth) THEMES: Pacem in Terris has primarily contended that talks about ‘peace’ should be anchored on our understanding of moral order. A. Order between individuals (PT, §§8ff) B. Order between individuals and government authorities (PT, §§46ff); C. Order between States (PT, §§80ff). John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 1963 (Peace on Earth) Themes: Rights Talk in the Catholic Social Tradition Significantly, PT also provides the Catholic position on human rights. Following its support to the aims of the United Nations, it also viewed of Human Rights as an advance in our contemporary social situation (PT, §143). It however reminds its readers that an emphasis on rights without attention to duties will be insufficient and ineffective (PT, §§ 44 & 144).  John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 1963 (Peace on Earth) Themes: Disarmament and Mutual Trust Reading PT should bring our attention to its call for disarmament. The encyclical argues that the arms race that was happening in the world of the late 50s until the 60s is contrary to the call for social order (PT, §112). Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, 1967 (On the Development of Peoples) Context: On March 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI published the encyclical Populorum Progressio. The encyclical is known for its emphasis on the talk about development, and it is even referred to by some circles as the ‘Catholic social teaching’s magna carta on development.’  Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, 1967 (On the Development of Peoples) THEMES: A=en>on to Poor Na>ons One important call from the encyclical is the a`enaon it gives to the plight of poor naaons and it quesaons the rapid progress among rich naaons and the slow development among their poorer counterparts (PP, §8) Call for Authen>c and Integral Human Development PP reminds us that authenac development could never be solely measured by economic and material progress (PP, §14). PP calls for an evaluaaon of the values that we hold dear. Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, 1967 (On the Development of Peoples) Call for Global Solidarity PP calls for a common development among mankind and reminds wealthier nations of their threefold responsibility for 1) mutual solidarity, 2) social justice, and 3) universal charity (PP, §44).  Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, 1967 (On the Development of Peoples) THEMES: Development, the New Name for Peace PP reminds the global community that for us to journey towards a lasting peace, we need to realize that equal opportunity toward development must become a possibility for all nations (cf. PP, §§ 76-77). John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) Context: Great numbers of people are unemployed, migrant workers exploited. Both capitalist and communist systems exploiting the worker. John Paul II’s third encyclical, but the first of his several encyclicals, was published on September 14, 1981. The encyclical offers the “most comprehensive treatment of human work in the corpus of Catholic social teaching.”  John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) Message: Work is part of man’s vocation and dignity, participation in God’s creative work. Has spiritual dimension. Decent wages, rights and benefits of worker must be assured. Work must serve the family, with special consideration for working mothers. Steps must be taken to assure that disabled can participate in dignity of work. John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) THEMES: ObjecBve and SubjecBve Components of Work Subjec've dimension refers to the aspect of work that allows the human person to realize himself/herself. Objec've component of work refers to the kind of work that the human person does which is measured by its monetary returns.  John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) THEMES: A Warning against Economism LE reminds us to be careful with the ‘error of economism’ (LE, §13), that is, of equating the dignity and value of our work with the financial incentives that it gives in return. John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) THEMES: The Role of Indirect Employers It specifically calls our attention to the reality of ‘indirect employers,’ which includes “both persons and instructions of various kinds, and also collective labour contracts and the principles of contracts and the principles of conduct which are laid down by these persons and institutions and which the whole socioeconomic system or are its result (§17).  John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) THEMES: Family Wage as Just Wage Just wage is family wage. LE categorically defines just remuneration “for the work of an adult who is responsible for a family” to be sufficient “for establishing and properly maintaining a family and for providing security for its future” (LE, §19).  John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) THEMES: Support for Workers’ Unions Unions must resist the temptation to become partisans in the political arena, and they must be careful not to allow themselves to be used and manipulated for the political ends of others.  John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981 (On Human Work) THEMES: Spirituality of Work LE’s profound contribu4on is to make its readers realize that the work that we do is not only our means for ‘self- realiza4on’ but is even our way of par4cipa4ng in the Paschal mystery of Christ. (Workers par4cipa4on to Christ’s suffering, death on the cross and resurrec4on.) John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987 (On Social Concern) Context: World economy in flux – debt, unemployment and recession hitting both rich and poor nations. The explicit claim of JPII in writing the Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (On Social Concern) on December 30, 1987 is to commemorate Paul VI’s Populorum Progressio and to affirm the continuing relevance of the social doctrine of the Church (SRS, §3).  John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987 (On Social Concern) Message: Critiques economic gap between northern and southern hemispheres and global debt. Should be one united world. East-West tensions and competition block world cooperation and solidarity. Critiques consumerism and waste, as well as international trade practices that hurt developing nations. John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987 (On Social Concern) THEMES: Superdevelopment and Underdevelopment JPII recalls here the immorality of the extreme gap between peoples. Reiteration of the Option for the Poor While we own things privately, that ownership is not only meant to further our well-being as a human individual, but also to empower us so we become available to serve others.  John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987 (On Social Concern) THEMES: On Terrorism and Demographic Problem SRS noted the emergence of terrorism, used by some groups as a means to create a better society. The encyclical unequivocally condemned the act as ‘unjustifiable’ (SRS, §24). SRS speaks of the increasing tendency even among States to readily equate demographic growth with underdevelopment. John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987 (On Social Concern) THEMES: Structures of Sin that Impedes the Realiza>on of the Common Good SRS also points out that there are certain poliacal, economic and social arrangements that impedes the solidarity of people, and instead promotes division which runs contrary to the development of peoples. When sinful and corrupt pracaces have become embedded in the way we conduct our acaviaes in the community, they provide the impression that there is an obstacle that is difficult to overcome (SRS, §36), and this instead invite others to condone rather than fight corrupaon.  John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 1991 (The Hundredth Year) Context: 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum. Collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. Showing his appreciation and support for the continuing growth of the Catholic social teaching, John Paul II celebrated the centenary of Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum by publishing the Centesimus Annus on May 1, 1991. Message: CriJques fundamental error of communism – atheisJc view of humanity. Gives qualified support to free market as most efficient system for uJlizing resources and responding to needs. Free market also recognizes freedom of human person. Warns against consumerism, as well as making capitalist system an all-encompassing ideology. John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 1991 (The Hundredth Year) THEMES: The New Things of Today The opposiUon between socialism and liberal capitalism that was at the height during the Ume of Leo XIII is no longer as strong in 1991 especially because the USSR has already weakened (and will in fact be later disbanded by the end of that year) and the Berlin Wall has actually already fallen in 1989.  John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 1991 (The Hundredth Year) THEMES: Subsidiarity and Solidarity CA also insists that an economic program will hardly be just if it does not pave the way for solidarity and solidarity. The ul4mate aim of an economic system is to ensure the well-being of human individuals. Unless an authen4c measure of social inclusion is realized, the economic system will remain to be ineffec4ve and immoral. Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 2009 (Charity in Truth) Context: Worldwide economic crisis centered on weakness in financial insUtuUons and the collapse of the housing market. Benedict XVI’s first social encyclical is supposed to be published in 2007 as a commemoraUon of Paul VI’s Populorum Progressio. But due to the prevailing circumstances of that year, parUcularly the economic recession that affected most of economies in the world, the publicaUon was delayed and was moved to June 29, 2009.  Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 2009 (Charity in Truth) Message: True human development requires charity lived out in truth, including respect for the common good, religious freedom, and the sancPty of human life. Only an economy of communion, a business ethic centered in persons and not in profit, will be a sufficient response to the present economic and financial crisis. Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 2009 (Charity in Truth) THEMES: The Phenomenon of Globaliza0on CV points out that globaliza;on brings with it both the advantages disadvantages and corresponding challenges.  Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 2009 (Charity in Truth) THEMES: Promoting the Logic of Gift and the Principle of Gratuitousness Only when we learn to realize that everything that we have is a gift will we be willing to take good care of them, and be willing to give them back in return as a gift. Such a culture of caring and giving, together with the culture of receiving, becomes important aspects if we would want to build a culture of communion in our globalized and consumerist world.  Francis I, Laudato Si, 2014 (“Mi Signore”,Praise be to you, my Lord) A Warning Against our Neglect of our Environment. LS is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. LS is primarily intended to denounce the harms that contemporary society does to the environment. LS argues that humanity’s propensity for short term, but easy, gains become the reason for the neglect and abuses that it does to the environment. LS warns us about the danger of our aftude towards the environment. We are reminded that we are caretakers of this world, and our abuse to the environment is ulamately our neglect of humanity and of ourselves. INSTRUCTIONS: You may start collaborating for the Part 1 of your Course Inquiry Project. You may do consultation with me about your assigned topic at Zoom Course Room.