UNCC100: Exploring Catholic Social Teaching Principles in Society

This essay delves into the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), emphasizing their significance in fostering a harmonious relationship between individuals and the community. It highlights the common good principle, stewardship and care for creation, and the principle of subsidiarity, illustrating how these principles guide individuals to contribute positively to society and support marginalized communities. The essay underscores the importance of human dignity and the responsibility of individuals to challenge power imbalances that hinder community development. By adhering to CST principles, individuals and communities can create a better society characterized by justice, peace, and mutual respect. The essay concludes by reinforcing that CST principles serve as integral guidelines for establishing a proper social order, where helping poor communities and individuals is paramount to achieving the common good, ultimately benefiting both self and communities in creating a better society. Desklib provides access to similar essays and study resources for students.

Running head: SELF AND COMMUNITY
Self and Community
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1SELF AND COMMUNITY
Introduction
The aim or purpose of this feature article is to demonstrate the social problems in the
light of common good for people in society. Human beings live in this world in utter diversity,
and many conflicts arise within their surroundings. The main target of Catholic Social Teaching
is to ensure a good relationship between all human beings (Thompson 2015). These principles
are exercised so all conflicts within human beings could be resolved by peace. If people maintain
and abide by these principles, it will surely enhance their quality of life. Therefore, they will be
able to serve their community better through peaceful means.
Common good principle
The common goof principle is one of the most important principles of Catholic Social
Teaching/ Thought. This principle is very closely related with that of human dignity within the
society. Pope John Paul II has described that common good principle will provide solidarity to
human activities and it is very much interconnected with the value of human dignity. Pope John
Paul II has spoken about the value of solidarity in this context (Thompson 2015). He has opined
that this principle has two interpretations. The first one is at an individual level and the second
one is regarding the betterment of society through different paradigms like religious, political,
social and economic perspectives (Thompson 2015). The common good has to be practised
within the community so that marginalised people can be helped and live in better condition.
Self-sacrifice is one appropriate way to contribute to common good in society. All the needs and
desires of poor people should be acknowledged, and human beings should act according to that
only. This principle is very well connected with the serving the community with its full effect
(Brady 2017). People from all spheres of the society should be able to participate in this common

2SELF AND COMMUNITY
good. It is because every people in the community have their right to serve the society and
achieve inner peace.
Stewardship and care for creation
The Golden Rule will have to be followed in the case of CST principles so human beings
could live a better and peaceful life in their communities. This golden rule is also known as
‘Ethic of Reciprocity’. Therefore, all ethical considerations within the society should be
maintained by human beings so Christians can create a world that will give equal affection for
human beings and the planet (Brady 2017). It has to be remembered that poor people face many
difficulties in their lives due to their hardships and negative issues in their environments. Pope
John Paul II has pictured that industrialization in the world will lead to degradation of the
environment (Brennan 2014). This will be problematic for poor people within society. Therefore,
health issues among poor people might arise and poor people will not be able to cope up with it.
Their well being will be hampered as well (Miller 2015). So, this principle of CST engages with
the health and well-being of common people. Other people should look for the authentic
development of society. As they care for the creation of a better world, they should take care of
needy members of the community as well (McKenna 2019). The stewardship of human beings
will drive them to sustain the creations of the world and contribute to the act of God.
CST principle of subsidiarity
Another important principle for Catholic Social thought is the subsidiarity. Pope John
Paul II has given his precious opinion regarding this as well. He has described that human beings
should not withdraw their commitments from individuals within society (Brennan 2014). It is
very crucial that human beings should always participate in doing common good for all the

3SELF AND COMMUNITY
individuals within the community by participating in the improvement of individuals. Some
people are marginalized in society and it is the due responsibility of the individuals to participate
in the common good of these marginalized people (McKenna 2019). It will be highly useful for
them since they will feel the developments of society. In this principle, Catholic Churches have
given the warning to people about the tendencies of state and powerful institutions to grab all the
power in the community and impose their decisions on poor people (Brennan 2014). Thus liberty
and freedom of common people would be completely devastated. This has been regarded as the
guiding norms for establishing a proper social order. Therefore, the role of the state and
influential institutions of the society has been analyzed in this principle and it has a lot to do with
the self and community (Massaro 2015).
Relationship between CST principles and self and community
One essential aspect in this regard is that of the connection between CST principles and
how the community is influenced together with the role of self. As per the first principle,
individuals should be highly concerned about their participation in doing common good for
people. Human dignity has been addressed in these principles of CST (Sison, Ferrero and Guitián
2016). Therefore, communities can opt to participate in common good so poor people can be
benefitted. It will be better for human beings to indulge in the practice of caring for both
individuals and communities. As per the second CST principle of stewardship and care for
creation, individuals should cater for the well-being of the poor people within society (Massaro
2015). Therefore, they will be able to live a better life amidst their difficulties. All the decisions
should be made within community prioritizing on their health and well being. The third CST
principle of subsidiarity is directly connected with the well being of community and self. This
principle discusses the tendency of state and powerful authorities to hold all powers within

4SELF AND COMMUNITY
society. If this practice goes on, it will be hard for needy communities to thrive. Therefore,
individuals must take some affirmative action in restoring liberty of communities (Annett 2016).
Conclusion
This feature article can be concluded by stating that CST principles are integral guiding
norms to be followed to set up a proper social order. Poor communities and individuals should be
helped and common good can only be achieved through that. In this manner, self and
communities would feel its impacts for creating a better society.

5SELF AND COMMUNITY
Reference List
Annett, A., 2016. Human flourishing, the common good, and Catholic social teaching. World
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Brady, B.V., 2017. Essential Catholic Social Thought 2nd edition. Orbis Books.
Brennan, P.M., 2014. Subsidiarity in the tradition of Catholic social doctrine. In Global
perspectives on subsidiarity (pp. 29-47). Springer, Dordrecht.
McKenna, K.E., 2019. A concise guide to Catholic social teaching. Ave Maria Press.
Miller, A., 2015. Ending Extreme Poverty: The Call from Catholic Social Thought. Integritas:
Advancing the Mission of Catholic Higher Education, 4(3), p.1.
Sison, A.J.G., Ferrero, I. and Guitián, G., 2016. Human dignity and the dignity of work: Insights
from Catholic social teaching. Business Ethics Quarterly, 26(4), pp.503-528.
Thomas Massaro, S.J., 2015. Living justice: Catholic social teaching in action. Rowman &
Littlefield.
Thompson, J.M., 2015. Introducing catholic social thought. Orbis Books.