Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation
The mission of the JPIC committee of the Solanus Casey Regional Fraternity is to animate the region and local fraternities with the spirit of modern Catholic Social Teaching informed by the Rule of Life we profess.
Saints and Social Justice Study Group
STUDY GROUP SESSIONS
Session 1
(1/26/2024)
pages 10-37
Forward & Introduction
Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
Session 2
(2/23/2024)
pages 38-75
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Session 3
(3/22/2024)
pages 76-115
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Session 4
(4/26/2024) pages
116-134
Solidarity
Session 5
(5/24/2024) pages
135-149
Care for Creation
Study Group Materials
SEVEN THEMES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Catholic Social Teaching 101
Catholic Relief Services & United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.
LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
The foundation of all the principles of our social teaching
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. Human life is threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARTICIPATION
Family and Community seeking together the common good
The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and family are the central
social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Every person has a fundamental right to life and a
right to those things required for human decency
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected, and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE
The needs of the poor and vulnerable come first
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS
Work is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation
The basic rights of workers must be respected
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected - the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
SOLIDARITY
We are one human family
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Blessed Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.”1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
CARE FOR GOD'S CREATION
Living in relationship and kinship with all of God’s creation
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
Resources
Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life
The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life is a unique effort to promote civil and substantive dialogue on Catholic social thought and national and global issues; build bridges across political, religious, and ideological lines; and encourage a new generation of Catholic lay leaders to see their faith as an asset in pursuing the common good.