THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

Social Teaching of the Church (STC)

the best kept secret of the Church ;
only a small percentage of Catholics
know about it and a lot of people are
surprised to know that the Catholic
Church has such teachings.
Its too radical and demands changes
in the social structure, thus it remains
unpopular and unknown to many
Catholics.

PURPOSE OF STC

STC is the entire teaching of the Catholic Churchs

magisterium (teaching authority) that applies
revealed truth and Christian moral principles to
the social order. It aims to present to all human
beings the plan of God for the society and guide
people in the realization of Gods kingdom here on
earth.

STC also integrates holistic salvation; that is a

liberation of the total living person from all forms
of oppression, be it psychological, emotional,
physical, social or economic oppression.

LOCI (places) OF STC

1) Papal pronouncements and

proclamations on matters of
Faith and Morals
2) Apostolic letters
3) Code of Canon Law
4) Pronouncements made by
Ecumenical councils
5) Pronouncements made by
the Synod of Bishops

Clarification of terms

Encyclical 2 Gk words: en is in and

kyklos enkyklike to go in circle.
Letters that are meant to be passed
around until it goes back to the original
sender.
Ecumenical Council is a meeting of all
sectors in the society (secular/religious)
Synod of Bishops is a meeting of all
bishops, e.g. CBCP, FABC & PCP II
People behind STC: Pope, and Bishops

SOURCES OF STC

1) SACRED SCRIPTURES written

2) SACRED TRADITION - practiced
3) NATURAL LAW light of reason
CONTENTS OF STC

1) TRUTH -moral and religious

2) PRINCIPLES - put into practice
3) VALUES- respect, defend & cherish

THE ENCYCLICALS OF THE

CATHOLIC CHURCH
1) RERUM NOVARUM
Pope Leo XIII, 1891
On the Condition of labor
-Right to work, own property
-just wage & social benefits
3) DIVINI REDEMPTORIS
Pope Pius XI, 1937
Divine Redemption
-Exposed the errors and Evils
of communism

2) QUADRAGESIMO ANNO
Pope Pius XI, 1931
40TH Anniversary of RN
On Social Reconstruction
-decries the effect of greed &
economic power on working
people and society.
4) SUMMI PONTIFICATUS
Pope Pius XII, 1939
On the Unity of Human Society
-churchs opposition against racial
Hostility, totalitarianism and the
Idea of state becoming
- Respect the Freedom of Religion

Encyclical continues
MATER ET MAGISTRA
( Mother and Teacher )
Christianity & Social Progress
Pope John XXIII, 1961
-Magna Carta for
Agriculture
GAUDIUM ET SPES
( JOY & HOPE ) Vatican II, 1965
Ecumenical Council
A Pastoral Constitution
Of the Church in the
Modern World -Dignity as basis for
political & Economic decisions.

PACEM IN TERRIS
Pope John XXIII, 1963
Peace on Earth
-Magna Carta for
Human Rights
POPULORUM
PRORESSIO
Pope Paul VI, 1967
On the Development of
People
-Authentic development
is
another term for peace.

Encyclical continues
OCTAGESIMA ADVENIENS
Pope Paul VI, 1971
80th Anniversary of R.N.
-A call to Political Action for
change and economic justice

EVANGELII NUNTIANDI
Pope Paul VI, 1975
Evangelization Today
-Social justice is integral
to FAITH
-Liberation from all forms of
oppression an essential elements
of Christian Evangelization.

JUSTICE IN THE WORLD

Synod of Bishops, 1971
Action on behalf justice
& participation in the social
transformation as constitutive
dimension in proclaiming
the Gospel.
REDEMPTOR HOMINIS
Pope John Paul II, 1979
Redeemer of Mankind
-Reiterated human rights
as fundamental principle
for all programs, systems
and regimes.

Encyclical continues
LABOREM EXCERCENS
Pope John Paul II, 1987
On Human Work
The dignity of Human Work
-Just wage and joint
ownership, sharing in management
and profits of labor
CENTESIMUS ANNUS
Pope John Paul II, 1991
Commemorates 100 years of
Rerum Novarum
-Calls for disarmament, development
of policies for employment and job
security of all nations

SOLICITUDO REI SOCIALIS

Pope John Paul II, 1987
Social Concerns of the Church
-Development with respect
for the Nature
-Option for the poor, conversion of
sinful structures to solidarity and
reform in the financial system.
TERTIO MILLENIO ADVENIENTE
Pope John Paul II,
( The Jubilee Year 2000 )
The coming of the third Millennium
-Commitment to justice and peace,
pro-poor policies & structures,
reduction or cancellation of intl debt,
solution to unity and human rights.

Encyclical continues
ECCLESIA IN ASIA
Pope John Paul II, 1999
( Jesus Christ, Savior & His mission
of love and service in Asia )
Inter-religious Dialogue & communion
Among Asian countries
COMPEDIUM OF THE
SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF
THE CHURCH (CSDC) 2004
-Systematic presentation of the
Social Teaching of the Church.

THE PARTICIPATION OF
CATHOLICS IN THE
POLITICAL LIFE ( 2002 )
Pope John Paul II,
-Coherence between faith &
life, Gospel & culture as taught
by Vatican II.
DEUS CARITAS EST
Pope benedict XIV, 2010
God is Love
-Theological-philosophical
reflection on love of God and
human love.
-Necessity of loving others as
central element of STC.

Other Church documents

MEDELLIN CONFERENCE
DOCUMENTS ( 1968 )
Inculturation and dialogue
-liberation theology

FEDERATION OF ASIAN
BISHOPS CONFERENCE, 1995
-denounces the forces of death
that plague the continent, envision
unity & diversity & holistic integral
human development

PUEBLA CONFERENCE
DOCUMENT ( 1979 )
-Liberation Theology in
Latin America

2 PLENARY COUNCIL
OF THE PHILIPPINES
( PCP II ) 1991
-Aims to reanimate Filipinos life
in Christ & unite all things in Him.
- Envisions renewed integral Evangelization
nd