Catholic Social Teaching: Refugee Problem, Human Dignity, Common Good

This essay delves into Catholic Social Teaching's (CST) perspective on the refugee crisis, emphasizing human dignity and the common good. It highlights that refugees are often displaced due to persecution, poverty, or political instability. CST emphasizes addressing human mobility from the perspective of human dignity, advocating for the protection of human rights and the promotion of the common good. The essay references key documents such as "Exsul Familia Nazarathana" and discusses how CST challenges the international and national bodies, communities and individuals to respond to the refugee problem. It underscores the importance of social workers in protecting the dignity and rights of refugees, and it advocates for a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of displacement. The essay also mentions the importance of solidarity and collaboration among international organizations and nations to protect the common good. Finally, the essay concludes by underscoring the relevance of CST for future social work professionals in understanding and addressing the complexities of the refugee crisis.

Running head: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Human Dignity, Common Good and Refugee problem
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Author Note

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The problem of the refugee and asylum seekers is an alarming issue in the modern world
that every responsible citizen must address. The human rights organizations and international
communities are struggling to resolve this issue. The poor countries are infected by this wound in
the maximum number. Recent incidents of Palestinian refugees, Syrian refugees, Rohingya
refugees or Mexican refugees has drawn the global attention. The United Nations identifies the
refugees as displaced persons. Catholic Social Teachings on refugees ae supported by many
documents like the “Exsul Familia Nazarathana” (1969), “Refugees, A Challenge to Solidarity”
(1992) and “Welcoming Christ In Refugees And Forcibly Displaced Persons” (2013). The
refuges leave their home countries for the fear of persecution and punishment for various for
racial, religious or political reasons (Burson & Cantor, 2016). Poverty is one of the principle
reasons to cause the refugee problems worldwide. Because the refugees are displaced by the
government or authoritative power they are often not protected legally and do not get the benefits
of basic human rights.
However catholic social thoughts tell the human mobility should be addressed from the
perspective of human dignity rather than its legal or national aspects. The thoughts question the
refugee problems regarding its relationship among God, self and his other creations and the
relationship among the international, national bodies, communities and individuals and how they
should respond to the problem (Verstraeten, 2017). The social work is related closely to this
view as it is the responsibility of a social worker that the dignity and common good of the needy
are protected. CST teach us that any human being who is forced to displace in order to his life
and human dignity has the power to morally claim others’ hospitality and the moral claim can be
stronger depending upon the person’s need (Sison, Ferrero & Guitián, 2016). The responsible
citizen and a social worker as a protector of human rights should respond beyond the immediate

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need, protect the human rights and should contribute to the change of the factors that are causing
the displacement. The catholic social thoughts believe that every human possesses a transcendent
dignity which is not bound by his geographical location or legal status (Sison, Ferrero & Guitián,
2016). It is others’ duty as well to see that the human rights and dignity of the refugees are
fulfilled, respected and protected.
While explaining the common good, catholic social teaching states that it is nation state’s
duty to serve the people through organizing, promoting and fostering the common good. The
dignity of human is more important than the interest of the nation. The refugee problems in
certain countries arise because those nations states prioritize their certain interest and in the
process ignore and treat the people as means. The global phenomenon of refugee problems must
be addressed by all the international organizations and nations (Esses, Hamilton & Gaucher,
2017). They must work together in order to protect the common good through ensuring their
needs and here solidarity is required as well. These aspects of catholic social thoughts are really
essential for a future social work professional to understand the problem and find out solutions.
Addressing or discussing is not just enough to fight the issue, the teachings can guide us
to deal with the problems effectively. According to the Catholic Social Teachings the national
sovereignty should be supported when they are protecting the human rights and dignity of the
people and promoting common good (Ahern, 2015). Catholic Social Teaching explained that as
humans are created in the likeness of God so everyone has an inherent dignity and that should
not be compromised. The human dignity is the foundation of Catholic Social Thoughts and it is
independent of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. God has created the goods for all his children
so everyone has equal rights on his resources and goods. The needs of the displaced persons
should be balanced with the personal possession. The collaboration among various institutions

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must be initiated to develop the solutions for refugee issues. The social workers also act as the
human rights advocators who protects the concerns of the distressed people. The catholic social
thoughts not only develop the knowledge but also encourages the individual to contribute
significantly to the social issues that have been affecting the human dignity and common good.
Finally, the knowledge gained through the Catholic Social Teaching act as the guide for any
individual who wants to actively participate in the social work.

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Reference
Ahern, K. (2015). Structures of Grace: Catholic Organizations Serving the Global Common
Good. Orbis Books.
Burson, B., & Cantor, D. J. (Eds.). (2016). Human Rights and the Refugee Definition:
Comparative Legal Practice and Theory. BRILL.
Esses, V. M., Hamilton, L. K., & Gaucher, D. (2017). The global refugee crisis: empirical
evidence and policy implications for improving public attitudes and facilitating refugee
resettlement. Social Issues and Policy Review, 11(1), 78-123.
Sison, A. J. G., Ferrero, I., & Guitián, G. (2016). Human dignity and the dignity of work:
Insights from Catholic social teaching. Business Ethics Quarterly, 26(4), 503-528.
Sison, A. J. G., Ferrero, I., & Guitián, G. (2016). Human dignity and the dignity of work:
Insights from Catholic social teaching. Business Ethics Quarterly, 26(4), 503-528.
Verstraeten, J. (2017). Towards a Theological Ethics of Migration: Implications for Catholic
Social Thought. Journal of Catholic Social Thought, 14(1), 3-7.