Principles of the Catholic Social Thought Article 2022

Running head: PRINCIPLES OF THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT
PRINCIPLES OF THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1
PRINCIPLES OF THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT
The Catholic Social Thought
The Catholic Social Thought and its principles present ethical frame for perceiving
community that makes sure the benefits of a person and the common good for everyone is
achieved successfully. The principles help promote a vision, which is based on the preaching of
the Bible and the knowledge collected from the experiences of the issues of social justice. The
CST has nine principles that include “dignity of the human person, common good and
community, preferential option for the poor, subsidiarity, universal purpose of goods,
stewardship of creation, promotion of peace, participation, and global solidarity” (Caritas.org.au,
2019). In this article, the first three principles will be discussed.
Dignity of the human person
This principle upholds the fundamental human value that no human should be forced to
compromise their freedom or dignity. William J Byron in his work titled “Ten Building Blocks of
Catholic Social Teaching”, reiterates the principle of human dignity as mentioned in the
Reflections – “every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ,
and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family” (Byron,
1998). The fact that every “human being is created in the likeness of God” (Byron, 1998), they
all deserve to be given the greatest treatment filled with dignity and respect. Thomas Massaro
(2015) also describes in the book titled “Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action”,
“because we are intelligent, rational and free beings, God intends us to be immune from all forms
of slavery, manipulation and exploitation”. Nonetheless, human seems to have misinterpreted or
forgotten the intentions of God.
Common Good and Community

2
PRINCIPLES OF THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT
“The common good refers to what belongs to everyone by virtue of their common
humanity”, as per the description provided at the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales.
The conference also presents the definition given in Catechism of the Catholic Church, which
describes common good to be “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as
groups or individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily”
(Catholicsocialteaching.org.uk, 2019). Thus, as per this principle, human beings have all the
rights to lead a happy life and contribute towards the progress of the community in any way they
wish. Human activities like abortion or euthanasia even though intended, fundamentally deny the
common good principle because both lead to the exclusion of the human from the community.
Preferential option for the poor
According to this principle, the needs of the vulnerable and poor people should be out
first. Mathews 25 explains in verses 31 to 46 and as mentioned in Reflections (p. 5), “In a society
marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the last
judgment and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first” (Hornsby-Smith,
2006). The poor and the vulnerable should be given first priority because it is related to the good
of the community and not just the individual. For the common good to prevail, humans must give
preferential protection to the people who suffer due to the absence of power and presence of
poverty.
Relationship between self and community
God did not create humans to live alone. He first created the male and the female and
sealed their destiny to live with each other within a community and with God. Community is