Catholic Social Teaching (part 1 of 3)

Summary

This video script delves into the Catholic Church's social teachings, emphasizing the importance of building a just society. It outlines three forms of justice: commutative, distributive, and social, and discusses the two 'feet of justice': charity and social justice. The script also touches on human rights as necessities for a dignified human life and the common good as the collective benefit of society. It sets the stage for exploring the seven major themes of Catholic social teaching.

Takeaways

• 📜 The script discusses the role of 21st-century Catholics in building a more just society, guided by the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church's social doctrine.
• 🏛️ It introduces three forms of justice: commutative, distributive, and social justice, each with its own principles and applications.
• 🔍 Commutative justice emphasizes fairness and balance, treating everyone the same, as in equal pay for equal work.
• 🍽️ Distributive justice focuses on the equitable distribution of resources according to individual needs, ensuring everyone's needs are met.
• 🌐 Social justice involves questioning and improving societal institutions to ensure they serve the dignity and needs of all members of society.
• 🤝 The 'two feet of justice' concept is presented, with charity providing immediate relief and social justice aiming for long-term systemic change.
• 🙋‍♂️ Human rights are defined as the necessary conditions for a person to live a truly human life, including food, shelter, healthcare, and respect.
• 🤔 The common good is contrasted with private good, emphasizing the importance of actions and policies that benefit society as a whole.
• 🏗️ The script calls for Catholics to engage in social justice, which can be challenging and controversial, often involving political action.
• 📚 It outlines seven major themes of Catholic social teaching, which are repeatedly emphasized in official church documents and are central to the faith's approach to social issues.

Q & A

What does it mean for 21st-century Catholics to live in a way that is faithful to the teachings of Jesus?

21st-century Catholics should strive to think, act, and live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus, which includes building a more just society where the hungry are fed, the homeless find shelter, and the dignity of every person is recognized and respected.

What are the seven major themes of modern Catholic social teaching?

The script does not explicitly list the seven major themes of Catholic social teaching but mentions that they are spelled out in official church documents and occur repeatedly.

How is justice defined in the context of Catholic social teaching?

In Catholic social teaching, justice is defined in at least three forms: commutative justice, which involves fairness and balance; distributive justice, which involves distributing resources according to need; and social justice, which involves questioning the fairness of societal institutions.

What is commutative justice and how is it exemplified?

Commutative justice is about fairness and balance, treating everyone more or less the same. An example given is being paid exactly what you are owed for work done, or a family ensuring each member gets an equal share of food during a meal.

Can you explain distributive justice using the example provided in the script?

Distributive justice is about distributing resources according to individual needs. In the example, the family does not give the same amount of food to a five-year-old and a 19-year-old; instead, they distribute it based on size and appetite, ensuring everyone's needs are met.

What is social justice and how does it differ from the other forms of justice?

Social justice involves questioning the fairness of societal institutions and systems to ensure they respect the dignity of every person and meet the needs of all according to commutative and distributive justice. It differs from the other forms as it focuses on systemic changes rather than individual transactions or needs.

What are the two ways to achieve justice mentioned in the script?

The two ways to achieve justice are charity and social justice. Charity is short-term, providing immediate help like food, while social justice is long-term, aiming to make systemic changes to eliminate the need for charity.

How is the concept of human rights defined in the script?

Human rights are defined as whatever is needed for a person to subsist in a truly human fashion, including food, shelter, clothing, health care, respect, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

What is the common good and how does it contrast with private good?

The common good refers to what benefits society as a whole, in contrast to the private good of individuals or sections of society. It involves putting collective interests ahead of personal interests, such as funding public services like fire departments and police, which benefit everyone indirectly.

Why is working for social justice considered more challenging than charity?

Working for social justice is considered more challenging because it involves systemic changes, can be controversial, and often requires political involvement. It may also take a lot of time and effort, unlike charity which is more immediate and personally rewarding.

How does the concept of the common good relate to the actions of individuals in society?

The concept of the common good relates to individual actions by encouraging people to contribute to societal benefits even if they do not directly benefit from them. It promotes a collective mindset where the well-being of society is prioritized over individual interests.