SOCIAL DOCTRINE VS SOCIAL TEACHING - The Church's social doctrine finds its essential foundation in biblical
revelation and in the tradition of the Church.
SOCIAL DOCTRINE
- an integral part of her evangelizing ministry
- situations and problems regarding justice, freedom,
development, relations between peoples, peace — is foreign
to evangelization, and evangelization would be incomplete if it
did not take into account the mutual demands continually
made by the Gospel and by the concrete, personal and social
life of man
- a valid instrument of evangelization; born of the always new meeting of
the Gospel message and social life
- “proclaims God and his mystery of salvation in Christ to every
human being, and for that very reason reveals man to himself”
- distinctive way for the Church to carry out her ministry of the
Word and her prophetic role
MEANING AND UNITY
- permanent principles of the Church's social doctrine [ 341] constitute
the very heart of Catholic social teaching
- These are principles of a general and fundamental character, since
they concern the reality of society in its entirety
- The principles of the Church's social doctrine must be appreciated in
their unity, interrelatedness and articulation.
- The principles of the social doctrine, in their entirety, constitute that
primary articulation of the truth of society by which every conscience is
challenged and invited to interact with every other conscience in truth,
in responsibility shared fully with all people and also regarding all
people.
- These principles have a profoundly moral significance because they
refer to the ultimate and organizational foundations of life in society.
NATURE OF THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL DOCTRINE
Knowledge illuminated by faith
- Church's social doctrine was not initially thought of as an organic
system but was formed over the course of time, through the numerous
interventions of the Magisterium on social issues.
- . The Church's social doctrine is therefore of a theological nature,
specifically theological-moral, “since it is a doctrine aimed at guiding
people's behaviour”
- Faith and reason represent the two cognitive paths of the Church's
social doctrine: Revelation and human nature.
In friendly dialogue with all branches of knowledge
- The Church's social doctrine avails itself of contributions from all
branches of knowledge, whatever their source, and has an important
interdisciplinary dimension.
- Above all, the contribution of philosophy is essential. This contribution
has already been seen in the appeal to human nature as a source and
to reason as the cognitive path of faith itself.
- This attentive and constant openness to other branches of knowledge
makes the Church's social doctrine reliable, concrete and relevant.
An expression of the Church's ministry of teaching
- The social doctrine belongs to the Church because the Church is the
subject that formulates it, disseminates it and teaches it​.
- In the Church's social doctrine the Magisterium is at work in all its
various components and expressions​.
For a society reconciled in justice and love
- The object of the Church's social doctrine is essentially the same that
constitutes the reason for its existence: the human person called to
salvation, and as such entrusted by Christ to the Church's care and
responsibility
- In the first place it is the proclamation of what the Church
possesses as proper to herself​:
- This social doctrine also entails a duty to denounce
- The intent of the Church's social doctrine is of the religious and moral
order
A message for the sons and daughters of the Church and for humanity
- The first recipient of the Church's social doctrine is the Church
community in its entire membership, because everyone has social
responsibilities that must be fulfilled.
- This social doctrine implies as well responsibilities regarding
the building, organization and functioning of society, that is to
say, political, economic and administrative obligations —
obligations of a secular nature
- Besides being destined primarily and specifically to the sons and
daughters of the Church, her social doctrine also has a universal
destination​.

Under the sign of continuity and renewal
- Guided by the perennial light of the Gospel and ever attentive to
evolution of society, the Church's social doctrine is characterized by
continuity and renewal
- shows above all the continuity of a teaching that refers to the
universal values drawn from Revelation and human nature
- The Church's social doctrine is presented as a “work site” where the
work is always in progress, where perennial truth penetrates and
permeates new circumstances, indicating paths of justice and peace.
- Mother and Teacher, the Church does not close herself off nor
retreat within herself but is always open, reaching out to and
turned towards man, whose destiny of salvation is her reason
for being.
SOCIAL TEACHING
- Body of social principles and moral teaching that is articulated in the
papal, conciliar, and other official documents issued since the late
nineteenth century
- Deals with the economic, political, and social order
- These teachings are rooted in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures as
well as in traditional philosophical and theological teachings of the
Church
- Rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of
holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.
NATURE
- The teaching of the Magisterium that applies revealed truth
and Christian moral principles to the social order.
SCOPE
- Describes the role of the Church in society
- A prophetic role
- Gives moral teachings on man and society
- God’s divine plan for building up the earthly city
SOCIAL TEACHING DOES NOT:
- Give concrete solutions to specific problems of society.
- The Church give guiding principles that individuals and groups
are to apply in particular circumstances
- Give us an ideological model of society based on a specific
philosophy.
- It ​negates the basic tenets of both liberalism, socialism and
communism on issues related to work, property, human dignity
and social economy
SOURCES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
1. Revelation
- Sacred scripture
- Sacred tradition
2. Natural law
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
- proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human
person is the foundation of a moral vision for society
- 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.
- 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
Call to family, community, and participation
- 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
- 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
- Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a SOCIAL TEACHING OF THE CHURCH
healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected ● Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor)
and responsibilities are me - LEO XIII, 1891
- every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things - Response to the situation of poor workers in industrialized
required for human decency countries
- Became a basis for development of CST
Option for the poor and vulnerable - Criticized the extremes of ​liberal capitalism​ and s​ ocialism
- basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring - Everybody has a right to private property
- the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put - Private property is needed for development
the needs of the poor and vulnerable first - Through private property, workers are able to enjoy
the fruits of his labor
The dignity of work and the rights of workers - Limit to private property
- economy must serve people, not the other way around - Just ownership of money and not just the use of
- Work is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation money
- the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive - Teachings about wages
work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of - Criticized the “inviolability of wage contract”
unions, to private property, and to economic initiative - Emphasized need for a just wag
- Main points:
Solidarity - Right to private property
- one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and - Duties and responsibilities of employers and workers
ideological differences. - Role of public authorities
- Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world - Right to speak out in social issues
- 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.” ● Quadragesimo Anno (Reconstruction of the Social Order)
- Gospel calls us to be peacemakers - Pius XI, 1931
- Criticized abuses of both capitalism and communism
Care for God’s Creation - Attempted to update CST to reflect social conditions,
- show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation broadened Church’s concern for poor workers to include the
- called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship structure that oppress them
with all of God’s creation - 3 Major Parts
- Care for the earth is a requirement of our faith - Impact of RN on Church, civil authorities and other
parties
- Clarifies, develops and expands the social and
economic teachings of RN
- Treats changes in capitalism and socialism since RN,
the roots of disorder, and the remedy proposed by the
Church
- Social Justice
- QA advocates a just distribution of wealth to serve the
common good = Social Justice
 - Each class must receive its due share and the ● Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth)
distribution of doods - John XXIII, 1963
- One class is forbidden from excluding other - First encyclical addressed to “all people of goodwill”
classes from a share in goods - Major Themes:
- Principle of Subsidiarity - Rights proper to each individual
- Activities which can be performed by - Relationship between authority and conscience
individuals must not be taken over by the - Disarmament
larger community - Development of CG
- Applies to larger context - Society must be founded on the principle that every human
- Main points: person has freedom and intelligence
- Social character of ownership - Every person has rights and duties flowing from his/her nature
- Equitable distribution of goods (excessive as a human being
capitalism) - These rights are universal and inviolable
- The Principle of Subsidiarity - Basic rights
- Cultural and moral rights
● Mater et Magistra (Christianity and Social Progress) - Religious rights
- John XXIII, 1961 - Economic rights
- First treatment of CST of less industrialized/developed - Political rights
countries = internationalization of CST - Social rights
- Principle of Common Good - Rights and duties of
- Sum total of all those conditions of social living - the individual in society
whereby men are enabled more fully and more readily - Individuals towards the state
achieve their own perfection - Of states towards each other
- Social conditions that allow people to reach their full - Both individual and states within the entire world
human potential to realize their human dignity community
- Requirements of CG in national level:
- Employment ● Gaudium Et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the
- Care for less privileged Modern World)
- Balance between wages and prices - Major themes
- Access to services - Human dignity
- Economic development - Authentic freedom
- Must have corresponding social development - Context
- True measure of economic prosperity - Marriage and the family
- Development and peace - Socio economic life
- There will be no peace of there is no development and - Political life
there are seere inequalities - Peace and international cooperation
- A pastoral constitution issued by the Second Vatican Council
- Duty of the people of God to scrutinize the “signs of the times”
in the light of the Gospel
- States responsibility of Christians to work for structure to make
a more just and peaceful world
 - Firmly linked the political issue of peace between nations to
the issue of a just international economic order
● Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples)
- Paul VI, 1967
- Themes
- Integral development
- Social dimensions of poverty
- Equal distribution of world’s resources
- World trade
- International debt
- Use of violence to achieve peace
- Development is the new name of peace
- Authentic development is not limited to economic growth
- Decries economic structures promoting inequality
- Disparity of wealth among nations is due to new forms of
colonialism
- Resources be shared through aid, technical assistance, fair
trade relations, and advocates a world fund to direct the poor
funds which are now spent on arms
● Octogesima Adveniens (A call to Action)
- Calls for:
- Political action for economic justice
- Objective analysis of the situation of one’s society,
identifying action for justice
- Response to unjust situations by individual Christians
and local Churches
- No unified message and “solution” that has
universal validity because different local
Churches and cultures vary from one region
to another
● Justice in the World (1971 Synod of Bishops)
- Reflects the consensus of 170+ bishops all over the world with
diverse social, cultural, economic and political contexts
- Requires Church policies and lifestyle to model justice so as to
be credible in preaching justice
- satisfaction of material needs
● Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World)
- Pope Paul VI, 1975
- Purpose: to give fresh impulse to evangelization
- Fighting for justice and people’s liberation from
oppression are essential elements of evangelization
- Sees social justice as integral to faith
- Integrates personal and societal transformation
● Redemptor Hominis (Redeemer of Man)
- Pope John Paul II, 1979
- Human rights as the fundamental principles for all programs,
systems and regimes
- Redirecting investments for armaments into investments for
food at the service of life
- Care of the environment
● Laborem Exercens (On Human Work)
- Pope John Paul II, 1981
- Extends and adapts Rerum Novarum to the present situation
of labor
- Points out the “preeminence of the subjective meaning of work
over the objective one”
- Asks that immigrant workers be treated by the same standards
as citizens
● Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (The Social Concerns of the Church)
- Pope John Paull II, 1988
- Tackles the ff:
- Option for the poor
- Sinful structures
- Conversion to solidarity
- Reform of world trade and financial systems
- There is great injustice of the few having so much and the
many having almost noth
- Action for development with respect for nature
● Centesimus Annus (The Hundredth Year)
- Pope John Paull II, 1991
- Identify failures of both socialist and capitalist economies
- Both reduce ment to the sphere of economics and the
- Simplify lifestyles and eliminate waste in rich nations
- Develop public policies for full employment, job security
 - The new form of ownership “the possession of know-how,
technology and skill”

ENCYCLICALS WRITTEN BY POPES

● Tertio Millennio Adveniente (The Jubilee Year 2000)
- Pope John Paul II, 1994 I. Leo XIII
- A commitment to: - Pope Leo XIII
- Justice and peace - February 20, 1878 – July 20, 1903
- Pro-poor policies and structures
- Reduce substantially or cancel outright the 1. Ad Extremas June 24, 1893
International Debt 2. Adiutricem September 5, 1895
- Reflect on the difficulties of dialogue between cultures 3. Aeterni Patris August 4, 1879
and on problems connected with women’s rights 4. Affari Vos December 8, 1897
5. Annum Sacrum May 25, 1899
● Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) 6. Apostolicae Curae September 15, 1896 [Bull]
- Pope John Paul II, 1995 7. Arcanum February 10, 1880
- Recognition of the sacred value of human life from its very 8. Au Milieu Des Solicitudes February 16, 1892
beginning until its end 9. Augustissimae Virginis Mariae September 12, 1897
10. Auspicato Concessum September 17, 1882
● Ecclesia in Asia (Jesus Christ and the Savior and His Mission of 11. Caritatis Studium July 25, 1898
Love and Service in Asia) 12. Catholicae Ecclesiae November 20, 1890
- Published in the event of the Pope’s visit to India 13. Christi Nomen December 24, 1894
- Deals on the Asian religious, cultural, social, economic,and 14. Constanti Hungarorum September 2, 1893
political realities in relation to the Catholic Churchin Asia. 15. Cum Multa December 8, 1882
- Mission of communion and dialogue not only with theCatholic 16. Custodi Di Quella Fede December 8, 1892
Church but among fellow Christians and members of other 17. Dall’alto Dell’apostolico Seggio October 15, 1890
religions. 18. Depuis Le Jour September 8, 1899
- Reiterates and clarifies the dignity of the human 19. Diuturni Temporis September 5, 1898
person,preferential option for the poor, 20. Diuturnum June 29, 1881
education,peacemaking, globalization, foreign debt and 21. Divinum Illud Munus May 9, 1897
environment. 22. Dum Multa December 24, 1902
23. Etsi Cunctas December 21, 1888
24. Etsi Nos February 15, 1882
25. Exeunte Iam Anno December 25, 1888
26. Fidentem Piumque Animum September 20, 1896
27. Fin Dal Principio December 8, 1902
28. Grande Munus September 30, 1880
29. Graves De Communi Re January 18, 1901
30. Gravissimas May 16, 1901
31. Humanum Genus April 20, 1884
32. Iam Pridem January 6, 1886
33. Immortale Dei November 1, 1885 74. Reputantiubus August 20, 1901
34. In Amplissimo April 15, 1902 75. Rerum Novarum May 15, 1891
35. In Ipso March 3, 1891 76. Saepe Nos June 24, 1888
36. In Plurimis May 5, 1888 77. Sancta Dei Civitas December 3, 1880
37. Inimica Vis December 8, 1892 78. Sapientiae Christianae January 10, 1890
38. Inscrutabili Dei Consilio April 21, 1878 79. Satis Cognitum June 29, 1896
39. Insignes May 1, 1896 80. Spectata Fides November 27, 1885
40. Iucunda Semper Expectatione September 8, 1894 81. Spesse Volte August 5, 1898
41. Laetitiae Sanctae September 8, 1893 82. Superiore Anno August 30, 1884
42. Libertas Praestantissimum</a June 20, 1888 83. Supremi Apostolatus Officio September 1, 1883
43. Licet Multa August 3, 1881 84. Tametsi Futura Prospicientibus November 1, 1900
44. Litteras A Vobis July 2, 1894 85. Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae January 22, 1899
45. Longinqua January 6, 1895 86. Urbanitatis Veteris November 20, 1901
46. Magnae Dei Matris September 8, 1892 87. Vi E Ben Noto September 20, 1887
47. Magni Nobis March 7, 1889
48. Militantis Ecclesiae August 1, 1897 II. Pius XI
49. Mirae Caritatis May 28, 1902 - Pope Pius XI
50. Misericors Dei Filius: May 30, 1883 A. D. English / Latin - February 6, 1922 – February 10, 1939
51. Nobilissima Gallorum Gens February 8, 1884
52. Octobri Mense September 22, 1891 1. Acerba Animi September 29, 1932
53. Officio Sanctissimo December 22, 1887 2. Ad Catholici Sacerdotii December 20, 1935
54. Omnibus Compertum July 21, 1900 3. Ad Salutem April 30, 1930
55. Orientalium Dignitas November 30, 1894 4. Apostolicorum in Missionibus [Latin], December 14, 1927
56. Pastoralis Officii September 12, 1891 5. Caritate Christi Compulsi May 3, 1932
57. Pastoralis June 25, 1891 6. Casti Connubii December 31, 1930
58. Paternae September 18, 1899 7. Dilectissima Nobis June 3, 1933
59. Pergrata September 14, 1886 8. Divini Illius Magistri December 31, 1929
60. Permoti Nos July 10, 1895 9. Divini Redemptoris March 19, 1937
61. Praeclara Gratulationis Publicae June 20, 1894 [External source] 10. Ecclesiam Dei November 12, 1923
62. Providentissimus Deus November 18, 1893 11. Ingravescentibus Malis September 29, 1937
63. Quae Ad Nos November 22, 1902 12. Iniquis Afflictisque November 18, 1926
64. Quam Aerumnosa December 10, 1888 13. Lux Veritatis December 25, 1931
65. Quam Religiosa August 16, 1898 14. Maximam Gravissimamque January 18, 1924
66. Quamquam Pluries August 15, 1889 15. Mens Nostra December 20, 1929
67. Quarto Abeunte Saeculo July 16, 1892 16. Miserentissimus Redemptor May 8, 1928
68. Quod Anniversarius April 1, 1888 17. Mit Brennender Sorge March 14, 1937
69. Quod Apostolici Muneris December 28, 1878 18. Mortalium Animos January 6, 1928
70. Quod Auctoritate December 22, 1885 19. Non Abbiamo Bisogno June 29, 1931
71. Quod Multum August 22, 1886 20. Nos Es Muy Conocida March 28, 1937
72. Quod Votis April 30, 1902 21. Nova Impendet October 2, 1931
73. Quum Diuturnum December 25, 1898 22. Quadragesimo Anno May 15, 1931
 23. Quas Primas December 11, 1925
24. Quinquagesimo Ante December 23, 1929
25. Rerum condicio: October 4, 1927 A.D. English / Latin
26. Rerum Ecclesiae February 8, 1926 IV. John Paul II
27. Rerum Omnium Perturbationem January 26, 1923 - Pope St. John Paul II
28. Rerum Orientalium September 8, 1928 - Oct 16, 1978 to April 2, 2005
29. Rite Expiatis April 13, 1926 - Index of Encyclicals by Pope John Paul II with study tool –
30. Studiorum Ducem June 29, 1923 Vatican site – multiple languages
31. Ubi Arcano Dei Consilio December 23, 1922
32. Vehementer exultamus hodie May 17, 1925 1. Centesimus Annus May 1, 1991
33. Vigilanti Cura June 29, 1936 2. Dives in Misericordia November 30, 1980
3. Dominum et Vivificantem May 18, 1986
III. John XXIII 4. Ecclesia De Eucharistia April 17, 2003
- Pope St. John XXIII 5. Evangelium Vitae March 25, 1995
- October 28, 1958 – June 3, 1963 6. Fides et Ratio September 14, 1998
7. Laborem Exercens September 14, 1981
1. Ad Petri Cathedram June 29, 1959 8. Redemptor Hominis March 4, 1979
2. Aeterna Dei Sapientia November 11, 1961 9. Redemptoris Mater March 25, 1987
3. Grata Recordatio September 26, 1959 10. Redemptoris Missio December 7, 1990
4. Le voci che da tutti [Apostolic Letter] March 19, 1961 11. Slavorum Apostoli June 2, 1985
5. Mater Et Magistra May 15, 1961 12. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis December 30, 1987
6. On Promoting Devotion to the Most Precious Blood – June 6, 1960 13. Ut Unum Sint May 25, 1995
7. Pacem In Terris April 11, 1963 14. Veritatis Splendor August 6, 1993
8. Paenitentiam Agere July 1, 1962
9. Princeps Pastorum November 28, 1959 V. Benedict XVI
10. Religiosorum institutio February 2, 1961 - Pope Benedict XVI
11. Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia August 1, 1959 - April 19, 2005 to February 28, 2013
12. Veterum Sapientia [English] [Latin] February 22, 1962 - Index of Encyclicals by Pope Benedict XVI – Vatican site –
multiple languages

1. Caritas in veritate, June 29, 2009

- [Byelorussian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Dutch,
English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Latin, Polish,
Portuguese, Spanish]
2. Deus Caritas Est, December 25, 2005
- [Byelorussian, Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, English, French,
German, Hungarian, Italian, Latin, Polish,Portuguese,
Spanish]
3. Spe Salvi, November 30, 2007
- [Byelorussian, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German,
Hungarian, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese,Spanish]
VI. Francis
- Pope Francis
- March 13, 2013 – present
- Index of Encyclicals by Pope Francis– Vatican site – multiple
languages

1. Laudato si’ May 24, 2015

- [Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese,
Spanish]
2. Lumen Fidei June 29, 2013
- [Arabic, Belarusian, Chinese, Chinese Simple, English,
French, German, Italian, Latin, Polish,Portuguese, Spanish]