The Catholic Social Teachings

Running head: THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS
THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS
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THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS
Introduction
The Catholic Social Thought principles, also known as the CST principles specifies that
human beings are created as social beings and are naturally dependent on and interconnected
with each other. As Sison, Ferrero and Guitián (2016) explain, the CST principles also approve
the dignity of the “people as those created in the image of God”. The major premise of the CST
principles is that God has created human beings for some specific purpose, a section of which is
to establish love, fairness and peace around the world.
The aim of this assignment thus is to elaborate the three CST principles and explain the
way these principles help establish the relationship between self and community.
The Common Good Principle
The principle of Common Good is one of the most important CST principles that help in
defining the other principles as well. The principle holds that every individual in the world as the
equal right to lead a fulfilling life with ease and comfort. In the words of Pope John XXIII,
Common Good is defined as “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as
groups or as individuals to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily” (Caritas.org.au,
2019). The Common Good tells that humans should have respect for each other, a zeal for social
wellbeing and progress of the entire group and peace. One example of this principle is the right
to private property and the right to trade freely. These rights respect the greater principle of the
Common Good because these enable the humans to live a life without being restricted in any
way.
The Stewardship of Creation

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THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS
The simple explanation of the stewardship of creation is that humans are like stewards of
the earth who have been created to protect it and care for it. Human beings need to care for each
aspect of this earth, which has created them, and these aspects include other humans, animals,
and the plants. In caring for and protecting all the aspects of the earth, human beings will honor
the creation, the ancestors and the philosophical, traditional and religious beliefs that they
possess. According to the Caritas Organization based in Australia, the stewardship of creation
elates to the belief that the earth and everything within it is the creation of God (Caritas.org.au,
2019). The humans have the responsibility to respect this gift given by God. An instance of the
stewardship of creation principle is the assistance provided to the less fortunate population
especially in times of crisis.
The principle of Subsidiarity
Subsidiarity refers to the way decisions are made for and by those who are affected by it.
One instance of subsidiarity is that the decision to put speed humps on the roads of a Canberra
suburb could not be made by the federal government because they would not have a clear idea
about it. The local council who are aware of the problem could best make the decision. In the
similar way, the local council would not qualify to make the decision of raising an army because
it would not know the national scenario as well as the federal government would know.
Therefore, it is easily discernible that when it is about making policies for the community or
group, applying the principle of subsdiarity becomes crucial. In addition, it must also be made a
rule that the people who are the most affected by the decisions are not only informed but also
consulted regarding the same (Boyle 2019).
Significance of the principles on the relationship between self and community