Catholic Social Teaching and Flourishing

This assignment delves into the core tenets of Catholic Social Teaching, focusing on how its nine principles guide individuals and communities towards a just and fulfilling life. It examines the interconnectedness of self and community, emphasizing the importance of ethical reciprocity and the Golden Rule in achieving collective well-being. The assignment highlights the CST's objective to promote social harmony and equal opportunity for all members of society.

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Nursing Assignment
Name
Institution

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Introduction
Catholic Social Thoughts
Catholic Social Thoughts has been divided into nine principles which encompass the
daily aspects involving the prayers we usually say or our duties as a society (Catholic Social
Teaching n.d) However, it involves the way we interrelate with things in life for instance
surroundings and less privileged human being. The mentioned principles are as outlined below.
Dignity of the human person
Human dignity is the state of virtue, righteousness or integrity in human beings. The
dignity of the human being involves the duties we offer to one another and respect due to the fact
that their life is much of value like that of a next person dignity (Australian Catholic Social
Justice Council [ACSJC], 2016). Each and every person is sacred of God’s creation and this
means that this particular feature cannot be lost or received because it his or her right to have
dignity. The societies which we live ought to understand and recognize that any person justifies
being shown dignity irrespective of their differences such as oppression, poverty, and inequality.
According to Kath Boyle, if an individual’s human dignity is lost through any of the above
instances, the dignity which connects the society will be lots too (FTB broadcasts, 2013).
Subsidiarity
This is the idea that any decision that is made on the particular group or community
should involve their participation in inclusive discussions instead of irrelevant interruption from
a higher power (ACSJC, 2016). It points out that better verdicts will be developed when they are

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made together with the affected. The idea encourages the participation of the affected by affairs
thus empowering their involvement.
Global solidarity
Global solidarity acknowledges the responsibilities which human beings have to one
another in all races, religious differences, culture, socioeconomic states, and nation. ACSJC
outlines that irrespective of all the differences, human are still associated via physical and
spiritual state because they are the creation of God. This particular principle further emphasizes
the use of the common good as a foundation, pointing out the desire to concentrate on the
persons most needs in the community (ACSJC, 2016).
Participation
A community is not something which just happens but it is something which its members
join hands to come up with a common goal. People should take part in building the community
through participation in various activities. The participation principle is connected directly to
solidarity and the subsidiarity. This is because people have the right to engage in the society
elements such as politics for their all importance (TCCANZ, 2016). However, the principle
explains further the way an individual’s right not be excluded from any decisions or any
engagement in any key needs such as education, politics, and work. The Catholics live their lives
at the service of human dignity. In addition, the developments of people are facilitated by the
pursuance of the social morals of the truth.

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The common good
This implies to actions that are to benefit to all people in society and not excluding the
minority; instead poor should be the main focus. The principle also indicates that people who are
marginalized should not be offered equal opportunities and rights for any other people. Instead,
there should be opportunities and rights which aim to help them better to grow for them all. It is
not only leaders and rulers who are called to pursue the common good, by practicing the
common good, Catholics use it as one of the ways of practicing solidarity. A common good is a
form of unity and every Catholic is advice to practiced it to continue showing the love of God
Stewardship Creation
It points out that all the gifts which God has made such animals, human beings and
surrounding forms the sacred gifts from God and human beings are mandated to care all of
them(TCCANZ, 2016). Furthermore, humans are perceived stewards and not the real owners of
the earth and ought to look after the creation of the God. This means that all the humans have to
make a fulfillment to their roles (FTBbroadcasts, 2013)
Universal Purpose of Goods
The principle points out that all the sources which God has created on earth ought to be
available to each and every individual and not only for certain people or community.
Notwithstanding the capability to possess something, the responsibility still exists with the same
quality to any person (TCCANZ, 2016). However, if an individual possesses more than what is
acceptable, these people have a responsibility to offer for other people to enable them to have
equal opportunity.

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Preferential option for the Poor
The department of relief services of Catholic believes that there is a need for love and
respect to people who are in need not due to the fact that they are righteous or most holy.
However, it says that a person meets poor, they should welcome them just like a friend in need
leaving the superiority perspective (CRS, 2016). This principle is closely related to solidarity and
the common good in that the community ought to work in team work to offer an equal chance to
people who may not be in a position to access, prioritize the needs of the poor over the wishes of
many other people around.
Promotion Peace
Pope John Paul II asserted that peace is not lack of war but it encompasses the shared
respect and self-confidence in people and states and these comprises collaborations and binding
accord. The idea gives chance of a positive growth of human being where justice is employed to
allow peace (FTBbroadcasts, 2013).
Interrelationship between self and community
Community shares lots of things, the members of the community may possess a common
history and identity. Commonly, the members of the community are bound by social structures
such as politics, economy, and cultural structures. However, the members of the community have
the potential to express their ways of life on whichever means they like for instance, recreation
and political associations. Such kinds of relationships reinforce the social fabric and also forms
the foundation for a true society of people. The understanding of the community by Catholic is

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beyond these particular characteristics because it gets full expression through a communion
which is a thing that comes from God as a gift. All the CST principles have collectively work to
achieve a common goal which is human flourish. However, these principles reinforce self and
community relation. If an individual capability to flourish is denied, then their dignity is also
denied. It is going to result in segregated and unjust society (Australian Catholic University,
2016a)
Golden rule forms the key theme of all the nine principles that points out that we should
treat other people the best way you want to be treated. The very principle has been named ethic
of reciprocity because of how it is evident from many cultures and religions around the globe.
(ACU, 2016b) According to High McKay, the good life is the life for other people and if this is
well practiced, family, business and political life will change for the better. In addition, an
individual is a miniscule part of the collective community and if one flourish is directly reliant on
to others. It is clear that CST objective to give a guide to people to live a collective life for the
community and all will be part of that society.
Conclusion
The nine principles are used by Catholics as a way to foster unity and extend love in the
community. By abiding by the nines principles, each and every person in society will be
politically, socially and economically secure. It is because the common goal of the principles
drive to give everyone an equal chance in the community.

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References
Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (2016) social teaching. Retrieved from
http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/social-teaching
Australian Catholic University (2016a) 1.4.3 When Flourishing Doesn't Happen retrieved from
UNCC100 Unit Materials
Australian Catholic University (2016b) 1.3.2 What Is the Golden Rule retrieved from UNCC100
Unit Materials
Australian Catholic University (2016c) 1.4.1What is the Good Life retrieved from UNCC100
Unit Materials Catholic Relief services. (2016) CST 101 | Option for the Poor and
Vulnerable [Video File] retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=c3gxBjtOzNM
Brayden Filippone Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (2016) social teaching. Retrieved
from http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/social-teaching
FTBbroadcasts (2013) Chris UNCC 100PROP. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=G8zjSGTYg14&feature=youtu.be
FTBbroadcasts (2013) UNCC DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON KB. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNh65JSTYg14&feature=youtu.be
The Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand (2016) Principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
Retrieved from http://www.catholic.org.nz/social-action/dsp-default.cfm? loadref=62