Principles of Catholic Social Thought: Understanding and Application

This quiz explores the principles of Catholic social thought with reference to Lisa Sowle Cahill's work. It covers the relationship between Catholic social teaching and Catholic social thought, the relevance of Catholic social thought to politics and public sphere, and the application of Catholic social thought principles to the experience of First Nations peoples in Australia.

In this quiz you will show your understanding of the principles of Catholic social thought,
with reference to the prescribed resources.
Must cite the following:
1. Lisa Sowle Cahill, “Catholic Social Teaching,” in The Cambridge Companion to
Christian Political Theology, ed. Craig Hovey and Elizabeth Phillips (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2015) 67–87; and
Question 1: 100 words –six lines
According to Cahill (p. 67), what makes it possible to view Catholic social teaching as "a
distinctive type of political theology"?
The catholic teaching includes the papal teaching documents such as, pope Francis's
apostolic exhortation. Primarily it also refers to the series of papal encyclicals. The various
local episcopal synods and local episcopal conferences such as the African Bishops message
to the people of god, addresses the conflict, corruption and the status of women. The
Acronym for the social teaching is also referred to the catholic social thought and catholic
social tradition. According to the historical reality and development, the CST assumes,
depends on and incorporate the thoughts of other theorists, as it inspires the further
intellectual reflection and refinement. The CST can be viewed as a distinctive type of a
political theology because, it is shaped and borne forward not only by the popes and
bishops but also by the practical and living tradition of various pastors and teachers even
the government officials who are living out the implications of christian faith in a daily life.
The CST as a political theology is marked by at least three characteristics. Such as, CST is
constructive and universalist, calling all people of goodwill. The second one is, the church's
most distinctive role is to stress the gospel- based values and concerns. The keys among
these are preferential option for the poor and solidarity. The third characteristics is the term
CST can be an ally of liberalism but yet it brings the latter important qualifications and
critiques (Flanagan, 2021).
Question 2: 100 words –six lines
According to Cahill, what does Catholic social teaching have to do with politics and the
public sphere?
The catholic social teaching is somewhat similar to the other form of modern liberal politics.
Like CST, liberal thought is egalitarian regarding the moral worth of human, the universalist
in its approach to the human rights and the rule of law, states that the social institutions can
be improved too. The CST does not only rely on the biblical and theological sources alone,
but also on the tradition of “natural law” elaborated by Thomas Aquinas. The Aquinas in
terms of laws of the human nature is also established by the creator as a part of the divine
providence for the common good of the whole creation of the sphere. This is a positive law
which is necessary to direct the human nature to its supernatural destiny (Werpehowski,
2018).
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Question 3: 100 words –six lines
According to Cahill, what is the relationship between Catholic social teaching and Catholic
social thought?
The catholic social thought has had the major and significant impact on the development of
more peaceable and more compassionate societies over the centuries. This also embraces
more than just the catholic social teaching. The term catholic teaching is the official teaching
of the church with the magisterium. The social teaching is characterised by the teaching
which is open to all branches of knowledge and thoughts prevailing in the catholic society
(Garvey, 2019).
Question 6: 150 words –ten lines
If, in Cahill's words, Catholic social teaching must continue "to grasp that the option for
the poor has to become an option of and by the poor, framed from the poor’s
perspective” (p. 83), how is this relevant to First Nations peoples in Australia? [NB: When
we refer to "the poor's perspective," we're referring to marginalisation broadly, which
includes economic aspects, as well as health, employment, government assistance, etc.]
The life of the first nation people in Australia has been very dire ever since the British
invasion started in the late 17th century and there have been various accounts of their life
being in extremely poor condition compared to the modern day Australian majorities. The
difference in the economic opportunities provided to them by the Australian government
along with the financial remuneration provided to them have all been very controversial and
very little in the grand scheme of thigs. This difference has officially been labelled as the
‘gap’ and many policies are being formed by the government for these people which is
aimed at providing them with robust opportunities and acknowledging them as rightful
owners of the Australian lands. However, according to Cahill these policies are framed in an
unethical manner and are often times inefficient as they should be framed by people
belonging to the minority group to adhere to their daily needs through their personal
perspective (Lisa Sowle Cahill, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015).
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Question 4: 150 words - ten lines
Using Module 1, suggest how a Catholic social thought principle (excluding human dignity
and the common good) might relate to the experience of First Nations peoples in
Australia.
The term Catholic thought principle is defined as the short definitions and other potential
applications of each principle of catholic social thought. The foundation of all the catholic
social teaching is basically the inherent dignity of the human or an individual as created in
the image and other likeness of god (Rees, 2021). The principles which can relate to the
experience of first nation people in Australia are,
 Preferential option for the poor, as the decisions should prioritise the needs of the
poor over others, such as the accessible housing schemes for the homeless.
 Precipitation, of all human person should be involved in the various and different
aspects of their society. Such as the democratic rights for electing the government
representatives.
Question 5: 150 words –ten lines
Using Module 1, suggest how one other Catholic social thought principle (excluding
human dignity and the comm-on good) might relate to the experience of First Nations
peoples in Australia.
One of the most major Catholic social thought principle is one that relates to human
dignity which states that all human life is sacred and should not be discriminated on the
basis of any ground or term as god has made every human in his own image and. According
to this principle, every human being has a right to lead a prideful life where they are not
devoid of any opportunity on the basis of an unfair parameter. However, when it comes to
the Aboriginal people of Australia and Torres Strait Islanders which comprise the First
Nations people in Australia, this principle of catholic social thought does not apply in the
slightest to their experience over the past few centuries (Price & Rogers, 2019). The British
colonialization of Australia in the late 17th Century led to them getting stripped of both their
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homeland and their dignity was assaulted which has led them to become a minority in the
same nation which they were originally the settlers of.
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Bibliography/Reference List (APA7)
Flanagan, P. (2021). Catholic Social Thought. Proceedings of the Catholic Theological Society
of America, 75, 104-105.
Werpehowski, W. (2018). Comment on Himes–Ethics. Journal of Catholic Social Thought,
15(1), 177-180.
Garvey, G. (2019). International Financial Aid, Catholic Social Doctrine and Sustainable
Integral. Law and Development: Balancing Principles and Values, 51.
Rees, J. A. (2021). Religious Tradition and Secular Order: Catholic Globalism as Cooperation
and Resistance. In Abraham and the Secular (pp. 141-159). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Price, K., & Rogers, J. (Eds.). (2019). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.
Cambridge University Press.
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