Catholic Social Teaching Essay

* is a body of doctrine schooled by the Catholic Church on matters of poerty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the state. Its foundations ar widely considered to have been laid by Pope Leo long dozens 1891 encyclical letter Rerum Novarum, which advocated economic Distri merelyism and condemned both Capitalism and Socialism, although its root can be traced to the writings of Catholic thinkers such as St. doubting Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine of Hippo, and is also derived from concepts present in the Bible.* The Catholic Social doctrine has two basic char crookeristics, namely, organism permanent and developing.* Permanent-Since the statements atomic number 18 establish on the Gospel, they offer a permanent complex idea to be pursued in the ever changing historical conditions and styluss. These teachings can never go out of date in their bedrock. Examples of these permanent teachings are exemplified in the following principles1. Human dignity and So lidarity2. Social justice and Christian go to sleep3. Active non- military force and peace4. Preferential option for the poor5. Value of charitable work6. Universal destinations of all goods of the earth7. Stewardship and the integrity of grounding8. pot empowerment9. Authentic and holistic (integral) humanity development* Developing-The fundamentals of Church Social Teaching make up the steadily increase collection of the Churchs social principles that must be creatively applied to and renewed in ever changing concrete situations of diverse events, cultures, and human needs in the historical process. Deeper insights into permanent value develop as the Church reads the signs of the times.* Methods and Sources1. Scripture. The arrogant books which record the Jewish and Christian experiences of theologys self-disclosure.Scripture reveals who deity is and who we are chew the fated to be in response to God. Interpretation of Scripture requires attention to historical context and is best do in community.2. Tradition the ways of thinking and living that are turn over over (traditio) from one generation to the next an on sacking conversation crossways the ages about our most important questions. Also the body of theological expression and the ways of putting this formulateion into practice that are handed over (traditio) from one generation to the next. Magisterium official teaching office of church and authoritative voice of tradition. While theologians, activists, and ordinary Catholics make contribute to this body of theological reflectivity in important ways, a privileged source of Catholic tradition is the magisterium or the official, authoritative teaching office of the church. This official teaching office is exercised by Catholic Bishops, and in particular the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), as well as groups appointed by the Pope. This teaching is expressed in the form of a) papal encyclicalsb) encyclicals of Church Councils (such as Vatican II) or Synods of Bishops, c) statements by Vatican offices, congregations, and commissions & d) apostolic conferences (regional meetings of Bishops, such as the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the linked States).3. Reason. The indwelling human capacity to know truth. The way we interpret and recognize Scripture, Tradition, and experience.* Reason as Natural LawThe preeminent form of conclude for much of Catholic tradition has been natural law originatoring. To understand Catholic natural law reasoning, one must get inside a whole worldview, culture, and language within Catholic tradition. Natural law holds that Gods intentions are expressed in the order that God construct into unveiling. This order keep backs the form of natures or intelligible patterns of being. Humans are adequate of knowing this order by reflecting upon creation. As humankind we must front recognize our nature and act according to it so as to attain our created nature. For example, humans by n ature (or by creation) have a build in instinct for self-preservation. Aquinas argues that to use appropriately limited violence in self-defense is good because it is to act according to our God-given nature. (Gods creation is good).* Four Levels of LawSt. Thomas Aquinas defines law is an ordering of reason (ordinatio rationis) or the most important way that reason rules or measures actions. He describes quaternary levels of law a. Eternal Law the mind (ratio) of God which orders and governs creation b. Divine Law the explicit revelation of the mind of God in Scripture c. Natural Law the expression of the mind of God in the order that God has build into creation. This order takes the form of natures or patterns of being that humans can know by using their reason to reflect on creation. For example, because humans by nature (or creation) have a built in instinct for self-preservation, limited self-defense is in accord with our God-given nature. discover Romans 214-15 d. Human Law human attempts to formulate laws that reflect the natural law.* Two Interpretations of Human NatureThere have been two study strains of interpretation of human nature a) nature as physicalhumans must respect their biological givenness or the physical order (ex. semisynthetic contraception interferes with the natural order of sexual intercourse whereas the rhythm rule respects this order.) b) nature as rationalhumans must act in accord with reason they must seek to discover and forgather their fullest purpose. Biology does not trump other cues in discovering nature. Instead, we must go to to all sources of human wisdom in order to discover how things are meant to be. The pope reasons that the purpose of property is for the good of all creation but a limited right to private property is consistent with human dignity and human wisdom about how well people take care of common property.4. Experience. Our encounter with the world both past and present. Christian tradition privilege s the experience of those at the margins of societythe poor and the oppressed. In Catholic social thought experience is enriched and expanded by a quadruple step process of interpretation and reflection which I will call the interpretive circle. a. experience insert yourself into a situation, see what is going on, and gather necessary informationb. social analysis What are the geomorphological or root causes of injustices? What are the patterns of action that reinforce these injustices? c. theological reflection What light does assurance, especially as expressed in Scripture and Catholic social teaching, shed upon our experience and social analysis? Where is God in this situation and how might we respond to Gods call to us? d. practical planning What are the most faithful, creative, and effective ways of acting upon the first three steps?* How does Catholic tradition use these four sources?1. They serve as checks and balances to each other. Each should inform and complement the other in critical dialogue. 2. Reason informed by faith. Reason and faith penetrate each other and form a unified way of approaching problems. Scripture and Christian Tradition provide the overall story, worldview, and values that serve as the framework for moral reasoning.