Catholic social teaching

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Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice.

Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God. (Cafod).

Catholic Social Teaching is based on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor...liberty to captives...recovery of sight to the poor" (Luke 4:18-19). It concerns what the Church has to say about social issues and the way in which Catholic faith should be lived out within society. These teachings are rooted in Scripture and especially in the teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels.

Catholic schools therefore become places where our young people are helped to put their faith into loving actions for others so that their faith can illuminate life and society (Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei 55).

These are key principles that underpin CST:

Human Dignity (everyone is special and should be treated equally)
Solidarity (showing we care by our words and actions)
Common Good (thinking of everyone, not just yourself)
Subsidiarity (leaders should listen to the people who will be affected by their decisions)
Participation (taking part)
Preferential Option for the Poor (putting people in most need first)
Stewardship (caring for God’s gifts)
Promoting Peace (we are called to be peacemakers)
Distributive Justice (sharing fairly)

Each week Teachers choose a child from each class to be awarded The Gospel Values award. This is the person they think represents the Catholic Social Teaching value of the week. During Friday assembly, each winner is presented with a certificate and the class explains how they have Followed in the Footsteps of Christ that week.