Catholic Social Thought, Its Principles and Application Case Study 2022

Running Head: CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT, ITS PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION
CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT, ITS PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION
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Author Note

CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT, ITS PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS1
Introduction
The topic Catholic Social Thought is a study of the Christian beliefs and doctrines on
the matters of human dignity besides the common good of the society. The ideas it deals with
are oppression, subsidiarity, concern for social justice, role played by the state as well as
the problems associated with the distribution of wealth. The ideas of Catholic Social
Thought is a system is a system that came into power during the late nineteenth century and
the early twentieth century (Novak, 2017). Earlier, the Church and the religious system had a
major role to play into the political economy of a nation. However, with the advent of
modernization, the Church and the Catholic religious system embraces the aspect of
liberalism in the present times (Bullis, 2013). The interesting situation is that while the
Catholic Social Practices in countries like the United States is more liberal, Vatican still fails
to embrace this idea of a liberal social environment (Novak, 2017). With the modern times,
the importance of religion is rising again and it is becoming essential as religious leaders
across the world are addressing problems of the political economy.
Discussion
The study engages in looking at the ideas of Catholic Social Thought and the various
principles engaged in the process of identification of the various social issues and formulating
a resolution for the same (Beyer, 2014). These principles, based on the humanitarian
grounds, looks at the society and its upliftment, morally, economically and educationally.
It aims to construct a better community and uplift it for the improvement of the same
(Carlson, 2014). The Catholic Social Though process has its foundation on the nine principles
as:
1. The Dignity of the Human Person
2. The Common Good of the Society

CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT, ITS PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS2
3. The Preferential Option for the Poor
4. Subsidiarity
5. The Universal Purpose of the Goods
6. The Stewardship of Creation
7. The promotion of Peace
8. Participation
9. Global Solidarity
The five principle topics, selected for explanation, below, with respect to their idea of the
society and their existence in the social structure are as follows:
 The Dignity of the Human Person — It looks into the fact that every individual,
irrespective of their gender, age, religion, race, economic background or nationality
deserves to be respected by all. The respective individual or human being needs to
love and respect ‘the self’ also when it comes to this principle and respect oneself. It
focuses on the self and building a place of love and respect besides an esteem for the
own self before anybody. The rising situation of clinical depression worldwide and
the tremendous increase in the crime rates that include suicide and posing harm to
‘the self’ has been alarming.
 The Common Good of the society — It speaks of the mutual responsibility that an
individual or a person bears for his or her family and community. This involves
looking after the various family members, serving their needs and caring for them
besides looking after the community and its needs (Glendon, 2013). It encourages the
idea of sharing and focusses on a mutually cohesive growth. The rise in ‘the
community’ activities like planting trees and raising awareness for global warming,
climate changes and so on has been on the rise. Such initiatives aim at the good of the
society as a whole (Agliardo, 2013).