Catholic Social Teaching
What is Catholic Social Teaching?
The Catholic Church has a history of social teaching that goes back centuries and provides a compelling challenge for living responsibly and building a just society. Catholic Social Teaching has evolved over time in response to the challenges of the day.
Catholic Social Teaching is used in many subjects including History, Geography and English, it is not taught just in RE. Many of our assemblies and extra-curricular activities feature Catholic Social Teaching where we discuss world events and how our faith challenges us to respond in a particular way.
We teach all of our children to be thoughtful about, and challenging of, the world's organisations and communities - how we must work together to build a better world for the future.
These teachings are rooted in Scripture and especially in the teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels. They are also based on various Papal statements and Encyclicals which have been published over the years which speak out about many different social issues and to encourage members of the Church to be an active force for good within their local communities as well as on a wider, global basis.
At the core of Catholic Social Teaching are a number of key concepts and principles. These principles underpin all we do at St Anne's. 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.
Dignity of the Human Person
This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. We believe that we are beautifully made in the image and likeness of God. God made each person, so every life is important and should be protected.
‘What makes me special?’ ‘What makes people special? ‘How should we treat each other?’
Opportunities for all to develop a relationship with God and to practise Jesus’ teachings.
Care for the Common Good/Family and Community
God made us to be part of communities, families and countries, so all people can share and help each other. We are called to work for the good of each and of all. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially poor and vulnerable people.
Outstanding education for all pupils regardless of their background.
Rights and Responsibilities/Participation
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.
Expose all individuals to the best of the best in every aspect of their role as leader/teacher/learner!
Dignity of Work/Distributive Justice
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.
CPD for all staff to ensure they become the best version of themselves. The very best learning opportunities for our pupils. Have high expectations of everybody and value them at all times.
Solidarity
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 neighbour has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” 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.
Outstanding education for all pupils regardless of their background.
Stewardship
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is a requirement of the Catholic faith. How do I show respect for Creation? The earth and all life on it are part of God’s creation. We are called to respect this gift. We are responsible for taking care of the world we live in and for sharing all the wonders and resources the earth gives us.
Leaders who are relentlessly positive. Strong courageous leadership habits within every leader; be bold, be brave!
Option for the Poor
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 instructs us to put the needs of poor and vulnerable people first.
Work in an environment in which people feel safe, seen, heard and respected.