Catholic Social Thought in Nursing

This essay elaborates on the principles of Catholic Social Thought and how these principles can prove to be useful for the profession of nursing. The four important principles in relation to CST are that of dignity of human person, common good, global solidarity and promoting peace. Nursing as a professional domain looks after the welfare of the individuals in the community. The principles of CST are imbibed in the practices and activities carried out by the nurses in their everyday life.

Running head: CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT IN NURSING
Catholic Social Thought in Nursing
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The Catholic Social Teaching (CST) comprises of rich treasure pertaining to wisdom that
helps in the building of a just society. Catholic Social Thought lays emphasis on the fact that the
life of the human being is sacred and dignity of the individuals forms the foundation of moral
vision of the society. The four important principles in relation to CST are that of dignity of
human person, common good, global solidarity and promoting peace. This essay elaborates on
the principles of CST and how these principles can prove to be useful for the profession of
nursing.
The Dignity of Human person principle stresses on the fact that every individual should
be respected and they should be offered protection at each of the stages. Right to living is the
core principle in relation to human rights of CST and the Catholics want to give rise to a world
that lays emphasis on justice along with peace in the society. The principle of common good
harps on working in the direction of the greatest good that can help in offering protection to that
of the integrity of the human race (Youtube.com., 2018). It is the duty of the public authorities to
make accessible to the people the different kinds of needs that can help in the establishment of a
humane society. The Catholic Social Teaching lays emphasis on the promotion of peace that
involves the aspect of mutual respect in between the nations. There is a co-relation between
peace and that of justice and peace can be said to be the fruit of that of justice. Solidarity
involves the valuing of that of the fellow human beings along with respecting them as
individuals. The human beings cannot live independent of the others within the society.
Solidarity is an important principle of CST and it is indicative of the interdependence of the
individuals in the society.
The dignity of any individual in the society should not be compromised irrespective of
his religious affiliation and ethnicity. The catholic Social teaching teaches that the dignity of the

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individuals within the society should be protected that can give rise to a humane society. There is
a deep relationship between the individual and the society. Having access to water that is clean
can be said to be a ‘common good’. All the living beings on the earth want water so that they can
survive. It is hence the responsibility of the government to supply clean drinking water to all the
citizens. The droughts taking place within Australia has made the people to think about the
importance of water and the state government of Australia had to impose restrictions for serving
the interest of the common public (Humanrights.com., 2018). The Catholic Social Teaching lays
stress on the aspect of broader social commitment. It is seen that common good can only be
served if the individuals in the society act in a more responsible manner. Common good cannot
leave behind the interests of any section of the population and it lays emphasis on the full
flourishing of the individuals in the society (Youtube.com., 2018). The Catholic Social Teaching
has suggested that peace is much more than the absence of any kind of violent conflict.
Peace is representative of the fullness in relation to life and in order for the human beings
to be at peace the individuals should have the right relationship with each other and with the
supreme power- God. The individuals should abide by the moral principles and decorum within
the society that can give rise to a more humane society (Theconversation.com., 2018). It helps in
bringing out the fact that there exists an intrinsic relationship between the individuals and that of
the society. The individuals in the society living life in an honourable fashion can pave the path
for the establishment of a just community. Solidarity has emerged to become the central concept
in relation to Christian ethics. Solidarity refers to the obligations of the individuals within the
society and the socially responsible individuals can stand by each other at times of need (Calo,
2015). It can help in bonding people together and bring individuals in close proximity with the
others in the community.

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Nursing refers to a profession in healthcare sector that focuses on the care of individuals
along with the community. The nurses have to abide by the principles of catholic social teaching
on account of the fact that their profession demands adherence to the moral principles. The
nurses have to treat everyone with dignity irrespective of their background in the social structure.
The nurses are supposed to show compassion and respect people equally. This upholds the
importance of catholic social teaching principles in the profession of nursing. The nurses have to
work in such a manner that common good is realized in the society (Melé, 2005). Nursing can
help in the promotion of the common good and it helps in preserving human dignity against that
of societal integrity. Nursing exists owing to the societal support and nursing proves to be crucial
for the preservation of health of the individuals. Society can help in the shaping of the common
good and the profession of nursing survives within the society that considers it important to
promote both common along with societal good (Un.org., 2018)
Healthcare in the recent times are responsible for preservation of peace of the individuals
in the society. It is being suggested in the recent times that health interventions can prove to be a
contributing factor that can help in achieving peace in the society. Nursing can help in soothing
the mind of the individuals that can pave the way for a peaceful community (Youtube.com.,
2018). Catholic Relief Services has played an important role in providing emergency relief in
the global arena. These kinds of healthcare agencies can thus play an important role in promoting
global solidarity. They focused on the providing of food along with clothing as emergency relief
measures to the ones who were in the midst of a crisis (Socialjustice.catholic.org.au., 2018). This
portrays that nursing plays a key role for the promotion of global solidarity.
Dignity of Human Person puts importance on the respect of the individuals in the social
structure and it demands that human beings should be provided with proper protection. The

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public authorities should help in meeting the needs of the common people that can help in the
promotion of common good (Theconversation.com., 2018). CST lays stress on the fact that
peace can be promoted in the event of the nations respecting each other. Solidarity indicates how
the individuals in the social set-up are dependent on each other. Nursing as a professional
domain looks after the welfare of the individuals in the community. The principles of CST are
imbibed in the practices and activities carried out by the nurses in their everyday life.

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References:
Calo, Z. R. (2015). Catholic Social Thought and Human Rights. American Journal of Economics
and Sociology, 74(1), 93-112.
Humanrights.com. (2018). United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of
Independence: United for Human Rights. Retrieved from
https://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/brief-history/declaration-of-
independence.html
Melé, D. (2005). Exploring the principle of subsidiarity in organisational forms. Journal of
Business Ethics, 60(3), 293-305.
Socialjustice.catholic.org.au. (2018). Social Teaching - Australian Catholic Social Justice
Council. Retrieved from http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/social-teaching
Theconversation.com. (2018). A refugee, like me: why the Golden Rule matters in an era of
mass migration. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/a-refugee-like-me-why-the-
golden-rule-matters-in-an-era-of-mass-migration-50957
Theconversation.com. (2018). Happy days: virtue isn't just for sanctimonious do-gooders.
Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/happy-days-virtue-isnt-just-for-
sanctimonious-do-gooders-31168
Un.org. (2018). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved from
http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html
Youtube.com. (2018). Individual-Society Dualism - Critical Social Psychology (7/30). Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr2PGbHHCWg

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Youtube.com. (2018). The good life. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=RTD7DfP98aY
Youtube.com. (2018). UBUNTU- African Culture.mov. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duNXxxv7-CE