Principles of Catholic Social Thought

This article discusses the principles of Catholic social thought, which are based on scriptures and practical aspects of life. It covers the six principles, including human dignity, common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity, and their interconnection. The article emphasizes the importance of respecting human dignity, promoting the common good, resolving disagreements through subsidiary groups, and being concerned about the welfare of others.

Running head: PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT. 1
Principles of Catholic Social Thought
Name
Institution Affiliation
Date

PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT. 2
Principles of Catholic Social Thought
Principles of Catholic social thought are extracted from priestly documents over the years. The
principles are best conceptualized through studying the basis of the principles in scriptures and in
practical aspects of life. Even today the development of the Catholic social thought continues in
theory and practice. The principles are interconnected although they are independent and can
operate individually. There are six principles that are based on the Catholic social thought.
(Brady, 2017)
The Principle of Human Dignity
This Principe is based on the scriptures in Genesis 1:27 which states that God created us
to be a replica of his image…male and female he created us. The aspect of human dignity came
from the point that God created us and gave us the capability of knowing him, loving him and
glorifying him which is not the same with all other earthly creatures (Catholic Church.
Pontificium Consilium de Iustitia ET Pace, 2005). We are all children of God and him our father.
The principal brings into perspective brotherhood and sisterhood. The principle focuses on
respecting the dignity of one another.
The human rights are based on the dignity of human beings. The right to life from birth to
death is a basic human right. It is the building block of all human rights. With each right of an
individual comes a corresponding duty. Aspects such as stereotyping individuals are an
infringement of the human dignity principle. When undertaking our daily activities, individuals
need to evaluate the resultant effects of their activities on the human dignity principle. The
following questions need to be raised from time to time. What measures have you put in place to
ensure that you respect the dignity of others, what are you doing to dismiss the influence of
stereotyping to look down on individuals based on color race and their social status?
The Common Good Principle.
This principle is based on 1st Corinthians 12:7 which states that to each person God has
given us the gifts of the spirit for the good of all. Common good means of achieving objectives
that make it possible for every individual to unleash his or her full potential and fulfill Gods
intentions for us (Bernard, 2017). The principle of common good is based on the following

PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT. 3
rights: the right to private property, the preferred option for the poor and their fundamental rights
and freedoms, environmental care and peace promotion.
In the recent past, taking care of the environment freedom to religion are two emerging
issue for the common good principle. Environmental care reflects a challenge to quite a large
percentage of individuals in the world. It is a matter that affects all individuals at common
(O'Brien, 2010). The Vatican council stated that it is critical that no individual takes part in
selfish morality (Eick ,2014)). The best approach to fulfill an individual's obligations is through
contributing to his needs and doing likewise for others. He should also promote public and
private organizations geared towards improving the living conditions of others. Under the
common goods principle, an individual needs to conduct a self-evaluation in regards to the
efforts they are putting in place to help others to unleash their full potential in all areas by
making things as good as possible for these individuals.
The Subsidiarity Principle
The subsidiarity principle derives its basis from Romans 12:4-5 which states that for as in
one body there are many parts and all these parts do not perform the same function, and in the
same sense we form the body of Christ individually and as parts of one another. 1st Corinthians
12:14, 17 also brings into perspective that the body is not identified by one part but by all parts
together. We are all together Christ's body but each of us being a different part (Himes, 2005).
Every group in society should have freedom and the means to do what is within itself without
being taken over by a higher body, individual or government. In simple terms, it means that one
should not do what is within the means of other individuals.
The subsidiarity principle brings into perspective the participation in society and
government where individuals participate in cultural, economic, political and social aspects of
life. Participation in such activities is very important as it guarantees the proper functioning of
the democratic systems (Lane, 2016). The subsidiary principle ensures that properly functioning
and active groups and organizations between individuals and government are in place. Under the
subsidiarity principle, a self-assessment needs to be conducted bringing into perspective benefits
that accrue to a group as a result of resolving disagreements by themselves without the
intervention of higher authorities.

PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT. 4
The Solidarity Principle.
This principle is based on 1st Corinthians 12:24-26 which brings into perspective the fact
that each body part is equally concerned for all other parts. If one body part is hurt, all other parts
of the body are hurt. Pope John Paul II stated that God created us to live in harmony geared
towards the common good of each and every individual (Massaro, 2011). It brings into
perspective the theory of being your brother's keeper. As a family, we need to protect we need to
protect each other’s interests. The solidarity and common good principle are interrelated.
Conclusion.
The Catholic social thought principles bring into perspective the interrelationship
between self and community. The solidarity principle in itself brings into perspective the fact
that each and every individual should be concerned on the welfare of each other. If one
individual suffers a shortcoming by extension, all individuals suffer damages though indirectly.
Various individuals perform different functions in society, however, in the long run, these
activities contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. In every activity, individuals
undertake there is an aspect of improving the livelihood of each other. The human body has
different parts but these parts when put together form the body and whenever one part is hurt the
impact is felt by all other parts, and the normal functions of the body are affected, and this
applies to self and community. All of us when together we form the community and whenever
one aspect of society is affected the whole community suffers the short backs.
References

PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT. 5
Bernard, B. (2017). Essential Catholic Social Thought 2nd edition. Orbis Books.
Brady, B. V. (2017). Essential Catholic Social Thought 2nd edition. Orbis Books.
Catholic Church. Pontificium Consilium de Iustitia et Pace. (2005). Compendium of the Social
Doctrine of the Church. Veritas Co. Ltd.
Eick, C. E., & Ryan, P. P. (2014). Principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Critical Pedagogy, and.
Himes, K. (2005). Modern Catholic Social Teaching: Commentaries and Interpretations.
Georgetown University Press.
Lane, A. (2016). Freedom of religion is more than just freedom of worship. Institute of Public Affairs
Review: A Quarterly Review of Politics and Public Affairs, The, 68(4), 32.
Massaro, T. (2011). Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Rowman & Littlefield
Publishers.
O'Brien, D. (2010). Catholic Social Thought: The Documentary Heritage. Orbis Books.