Catholic social teachings are integral to human life, as one cannot live without love, and love does not exist when we are isolated (W. Wright, 2018). Catholic social teachings teach us about economic, political, personal and spiritual factors in our lives. Catholic Social Teachings (CST’s) provide a different way of thinking, being and seeing the world in its entirety (CSSA,2019). Catholic Social Teachings allow us to maintain a special connection towards Christ’s heart and the church, the teachings allow us to connect within the community and come together to make the world a better place through the learning of history.
Catholic social thought is based on individuals being social, living and growing in society by being present. Over the years, Catholic Social Thought has brought individuals together in their communities. The golden rule is a universal principle which highlights the importance of empathy, solidarity and reciprocity (ACU, 2019, Module 3.1.1). Catholic Social Thought principles lay down the normalised societal standards, which promote a visualisation of a model society.
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Some of the principles of the Church’s Doctrine include:
The Rights and Responsibilities means an individual has the right to things required by Human Dignity. Rights and responsibilities originate from what God intended us to live by, where we do not rub what we have in another’s face, to make ourselves feel superior (Caritas, 2010-2018). As an individual we uphold the responsibility to participate and listen to everyone’s voice and make decisions according to the Common Good. Each individual has the right to have their own voice and opinion on a matter, without being judged by another. The decisions an individual makes, falls back on how it will affect their lives from what they have chosen to decide on. The individual must uphold and defend human dignity in the 3 spheres:
- Social
- Economic
- Political
These spheres are integral to an individuals contribution to promoting human dignity. Rights begins with, Each person having the right to life and to the basic needs for survival. Responsibilities begins with, being responsible for one’s family, one another and society as a whole (EfJ, 2005).
Solidarity explains how an individual cannot be independent of others. Solidarity acknowledges, how independence is positive and good and something to apprize. A way to visualise the interdependence of an individual is through Saint Pauls Body of Christ expression, we as individuals whom are independent make up the parts of Christ’s body. Modern age technology, has given people the advantage of connecting with others around the world, which was not easy many years ago. Technology has helped form relationships and provided support to those all over the world. Solidarity forms it meaning from “Fraternity”, which means we treat everyone as brothers and sisters (CSAN, 2006). Solidarity comes from an individual who seeks to commit to being responsible for all and not just himself, which also relates to common good, making the world a better place where we empower each other to attain their full potential through respect of one another. Each individual is a social being, solidarity shows the importance of respect and being able to form a bond between people. In one way or another, solidarity is the glue that bonds all of the Church’s doctrine principles together to make a good society. Solidarity promotes the rights and responsibilities for one another, one’s family and society. (Caritas, 2019) - Solidarity
The Dignity of the Human Person discusses that some individuals are strong, but unlike others we need to acknowledge the individuals whom are fragile and lose their sense of worth rapidly when under immense adversity (ACU, 2019 Module 3.1.2). This principle holds a strong view on human life with issues like:
The Dignity Of The Human Person principle acknowledges the seriousness and the punishment that follows for everything in life (CSAN,2006). Human life was built from the image of God and is sacred (Gn 1:26-27). Human dignity is inherited from one’s relationship with God, it is not earned (EfJ, 2005). The dignity of the human person values talk about equal respect, irrespective of gender, race, social class, etc. (ACU, 2019, Module 3.1). Dignity is not represented by skill, it is represented by equal acknowledgement, as we are all one. The 21st century continues to strive high to make sure basic needs like child slavery, and government torture Is put to an end (UNP, 2011). (Caritas,2019) – The Dignity of the Human Person.
Interrelationship between Self & Community
The Church’s Doctrine principles provide a deeper and further understanding of how the principles contribute to the relationships between one’s self and society. The formation of combining Self and Community, shows how exactly human flourishing was established and how it links to these 3 concepts; Ubuntu, The Golden Rule and The Good Life. These 3 concepts and The Catholic Social Thought principles allow us to gain a wider knowledge around one’s self and the surrounding community.
Human flourishing has 5 distinctive factors that are involved:
- Positive emotion
- Engagement
- Relationships
- Meaning and purpose in life
- Accomplishment and achievements
These 5 factors of human flourishing structure one’s sense of purpose and the sense connected through their community (A. Annett, 2016, Chapter 2, 42).
The Golden Rule, also known as “Ethic of Reciprocity” is involved in many cultures and religions. The Golden Rule contributes to society and developing one’s self. One idea at the core of each religion is, that The Good Life is the life of others, it is not about one, we need to all treat one another as the same and with the respect we would like to receive back (ACU, 2019, Module 1.4). The Good life and The Golden Rule fall into the same aspects with equal levels of treatment for others. When one encourages human flourishing of being treated equally, this creates a trend in which the community will then start to follow.
The concept of Ubuntu focuses on a community sense and the environmental aspects of how individuals create their own space within a setting. Ubuntu originated from Zulu Language which stands for “Humanity” (ACU, 2019, Module 2.1). Flourishing within a community, does not take part with just one individual, the community needs to come together to promote flourishing between one another (ACU, 2019, Module 2.2).
As discussed one’ self cannot flourish without a community that comes together to promote the flourishing. All of the Catholic Social Thought principles play a huge part in promoting human flourishing within one’s self and community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Catholic Social Thought principles are interconnected in different way, these are explained through the principles: solidarity, the dignity of the human person and rights and responsibilities. Self and Community relates heavily to an individual’s decisions and life, and also through the 3 concept: The Golden Rule and The Good Life and Ubuntu. These principles help flourish one’s self and the community.
References
- W. Wright (2018). Retrieved from Catholic Link: https://catholic-link.org/catholic-social-teaching/
- Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA, 2019). Retrieved from; https://www.cssa.org.au/about-us/mission-and-vision/catholic-social-teaching/
- Australian Catholic University (ACU). (2019). 3.1.1 Catholic Social Teaching And Catholic Social Thought. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from: https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/af596fdf-cef9-4f9b-adc4-6ea8cd788161/9/M3-HistoryAndPrinciplesCST.html#
- Australian Catholic University (ACU). (2019). 3.1.2 The Dignity Of The Human Person – Sean Mckenna. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from: https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/af596fdf-cef9-4f9b-adc4-6ea8cd788161/9/notes-transcripts/transcript-dhp-smk.htm
- Catholic Social Teaching; Faith in a better world. Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN,2006). http://www.catholicsocialteaching.org.uk/themes/human-dignity/
- The Principle of Human Dignity. Education for justice, 2005 (EfJ). Retrieved from: https://www.caritas.org.au/docs/cst/education-for-justice-dignity.pdf?sfvrsn=dd1f90aa_0
- Australian Catholic University (ACU). (2019). 3.1 Dignity of the Human Person. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from, https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/af596fdf-cef9-4f9b-adc4-6ea8cd788161/9/M3-HistoryAndPrinciplesCST.html#p2
- Caritas Australia. (2019). The Dignity of the Human Person [cartoon]. Retrieved from: https://www.caritas.org.au/learn/cst/dignity-of-the-human-person
- Human Rights in 21st Century, United Nations Program. (Dec, 2011). Retrieved from: https://www.uvi.edu/files/documents/President/Speeches/Human_Rights_in_the_21st_Century_Speech.pdf
- Caritas Australia. (2019). Solidarity [Cartoon]. Retrieved from: https://www.caritas.org.au/learn/cst/educational-toolkit/lower-primary/solidarity
- Development and Peace, Caritas (2010-2018). Retrieved by: https://www.devp.org/en/cst/rights-and-responsibilities
- (Anthony Annett,2016) Human Flourishing, The Common Good, And Catholic Social Teaching. Chapter 2, 42. Retrieved from: https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2016/HR-V2Ch2_web.pdf
- Australian Catholic University (ACU). (2019). 1.4 The Good Life: Explained. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from: https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/af596fdf-cef9-4f9b-adc4-6ea8cd788161/9/notes-transcripts/transcript-hughmckay.htm
- Australian Catholic University (ACU). (2019) 2.1. Ubuntu. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from: https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/af596fdf-cef9-4f9b-adc4-6ea8cd788161/9/M2-IndividualAndSociety.html#
- Australian Catholic University (ACU). (2019). 2.2 Ubuntu: Explored Further. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from: https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/af596fdf-cef9-4f9b-adc4-6ea8cd788161/9/M2-IndividualAndSociety.html#p3
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