Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
The universal church is celebrating a season of Creation during the month of September, and this year’s theme is Living Water. We are focusing on the essential role that water plays and how it promotes so much of God’s creation.
Care for Creation is one of the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching, which began in 1891 with the publication of Pope Leo XIII’s landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor). The Industrial Revolution, rapid urbanization, and increased factory labor created widespread poverty and poor working conditions. The Church sought to offer a moral alternative to both unregulated capitalism and radical socialism. From that effort came three key beliefs, namely: HUMAN DIGNITY, meaning all human life is sacred; SOLIDARITY, people are one human family and share mutual responsibility; and SUBSIDIARITY, that matters ought to be handled by the smallest or lowest competent authority.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has carved out additional principles that form today's Seven Tenets of modern Catholic Social Teaching. They are:
Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
Every person is sacred and made in God’s image, meaning all life must be protected from conception to natural death.
Call to Family, Community and Participation
The human person is social, and society must support and strengthen the family as its foundational unit.
Rights and Responsibilities
People have a fundamental right to life and the basic necessities of human decency, paired with a duty to protect those rights for others.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Societies are judged by how well their most vulnerable and marginalized members are cared for and prioritized. The poor and vulnerable should be our first option for charitable giving and service.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
The economy must serve people rather than people serving the economy. Fair wages and workers’ rights must be protected.
Solidarity
All people belong to one human family and are called to pursue global justice, peace, and mutual support across differences.
Care for God’s Creation
Humans serve as stewards of the earth, requiring active protection of the environment and its resources for future generations. We must all care for the earth, our common home.
May I suggest an Acronym that might help us remember these seven principles – Clear with a Scope
C L R W/ (a symbol for with) a S C o P e. Community and Family Life – Life and dignity of the Human Person – Rights and responsibilities – Work and Dignity of Workers – Solidarity – Care for Creation – Seek first to serve the Poor and Vulnerable.
However we remember them, we must put these seven principles into action, and I regularly invite you all to familiarize yourselves with these principles that are displayed in the hallway proceeding east out of the narthex past the chapel. They are accompanied by photo reminders of many Lenten Social Justice Projects that we have supported here at Holy Family – projects that have supported all seven of those principles.
Dueling Pianos – Opening Doors
Please come for an enjoyable evening next Saturday, September 26, listen to two talented piano players present some of your favorite tunes, and help to kick off “OPENING DOORS,” our initiative to help families of our Academy who need some financial assistance and seek Catholic education for their children. The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program has been discontinued, and we need to fill a bucket of financial need. Please also see Nick Fiddick, our Director of Stewardship and Development, if you are interested in helping with this effort.
Congratulations Again to Erik Stanson
Erik is this year’s Christifideles award winner for his ministry efforts in our loft, with Passion Play and other activities. Erik is a 2019 graduate of Holy Family Catholic Academy.