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Jesus Fullness of Divine Revelation
Human Dignity
A Term used in Roman Catholic thought for the
branch of theology that deals with the rightness
and wrongness of human actions (morality) in
relation to God. It is usually termed Christian
ethics in Protestantism.
Dignity, Human
Latin dignitas, worthiness, merit. The Catholic unless we hear and heed the Churchs
view that all human life has an intrinsic
value. Theologically, it is grounded in
humans, who are created in the image of
God. (Gen 1:26-27)
Gift of divine love As long as God offers
divine love, which is grace, we will remain
Gods Image.
Gift from God
SIN + HOLY = DIGNITY
SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE + REJECTED = DIGNITY
Relational Reality rooted in our
relationship with God
Our inherent dignity, as rooted in God, is
inalienable
Inalienable dignity of ever person has moral
implication
Promotes wellbeing of everybody
GENOCIDE
Greek genos, race and cide, killing.
The persecution or destruction of a
national, racial, or religious group.
The genocide of Jews in Nazi Germany
during the Second World War is the worst
example of destruction of people base on
race.
Conscience
Greek first to reflect philosophically on the
nature of conscience.
They spoke of a good and a bad conscience
because of the influence of feeling and will
Old Testament uses the word only once
Wisdom 17:11
Catholic Social Teaching
A Key to Catholic Identity
The Central message is simple: our faith is
profoundly social. We cannot be called truly
call to serve those in need and work for justice and
peace.
Vatican IIs Ecclesiology
The Church is a sign and a safeguard of the
dignity of the human person.
A religious organization whose purpose it is
to help bring about the reign of God in
history.
The social mission is constitutive not
extra-curricular or optional.
Justice in the World, 1971 Synod
Action on behalf of justice and participation in the
transformation of the world fully appear to us as
constitutive dimension of preaching of the Gospel,
or in other words, of the Churchs mission for the
redemption of the human race and its liberation
from every oppressive situation.
Constitutive Elements of Church
Scripture hearing the Good News
Sacraments worship, prayer life, etc
Social Mission action for social justice
Catholic Social Teaching
Rooted in the Bible
Continually developed in Catholic Social
Teaching Observe, judge, act
Biblical Themes of Justice Every person has a right to the basic material
necessities that are required to live a decent life.
God is active in human history
Creation Option for the Poor
Covenant relationship
Community - Remember the widows, orphans, and
Anawim the widows, orphans and aliens.
aliens - A necessary element of the common good.
The example of Jesus reign of God,
healing Participation

In biblical faith, the doing of justice is the primary

expectation of Yahweh.

Modern Catholic Social Teaching

Major Themes from Catholic Social Teaching

1. Human Dignity
2. Community
3. Rights and duties
4. Option for the poor
5. Participation
6. Economic Justice
7. Stewardship of Creation
8. Solidarity
9. Role of Government
10. Promotion of Peace

Human Dignity The person is sacred, made in

the image of God.

Community/Common Good
The social nature of the human person
The fact that human beings are social by nature
indicates that the betterment of the person and
improvement of society depend on each other,
humanity by its very nature stands completely in
need of life in society.
- Vatican II, The Church in the Modern World

Social thought the person is not only sacred, but

also social.

Rights and Duties

- Civil/Political
- Economic/Social