Analysis of Self and Community through Catholic Social Teachings

This assignment delves into the core principles of Catholic Social Teachings (CST), exploring their relevance to the concepts of self and community. It examines key tenets such as the Dignity of the Human Person, emphasizing respect for all individuals regardless of background; the Preference for the Poor, advocating for the prioritization of the needs of vulnerable populations; and the Common Good, which promotes actions that benefit society as a whole. The assignment provides definitions, examples, and applications of these principles, illustrating how they contribute to a more just and compassionate society. The author references sources to support the analysis and concludes by highlighting the importance of implementing these teachings in practical life for the betterment of individuals and society.

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

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Importance of Catholic Social Teachings (CST)
The concept of the Catholic Social Teachings can be used to refer to the beliefs
among the Christians that God has a plan to build his kingdom on Earth, which is going to be
a kingdom of love, peace as well as justice. The concept of the Catholic Social Teachings is
said to have the purpose of fulfilling the common good among the people. That is why, it is
being said that the purpose of Catholic Social Teachings (CST) is to discuss about various
aspects of life of the individuals themselves (Long,2018). The elements of the Catholic Social
Teaching (CST) can be best understood by the process of explanation of a few principles and
how each of these principles work in the field.
Dignity of the Human Person
The Dignity of Human Person is the first of all the Catholic Social Teachings or the
CST. It teaches the people about the importance of giving respect to all human beings and
have respect for all human beings without having any reservations against the caste, race,
social class and the wealth of the people themselves. The concept of the Catholic Social
Teachings also informs the readers about the various elements it would incorporate into itself
(Long, 2018).
However, the main elements of the Social Catholic Teachings or the CST include the
concepts of the inherent dignity. The dignity is something which should be imparted among
the people themselves. Hence the concepts of the dignity of the human person teaches the
people to be full of dignity to each other (Smith, 2017). It is worth mentioning in this case
that the United Nations has mentioned about dignity in its Universal Declaration which states
the fact all human are considered to be equal in dignity and should behave in a brotherly
manner with each other (Mowbray, 2015). In addition to this, the concept of the Dignity of
the Human Person has also been used by The United Nations in the sense that this equality

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also needs to be mentioned among people irrespective of their age, sex, religious background,
ethnicity, abilities or disabilities of the individuals. The examples of dignity of the human
person would include the equality of the people living in the society facing equality in all
aspects of their lives.
Preference for the Poor
The Preference for the Poor is the second important principle of the Catholic Social
Teachings (CST). In this principle, the needs and the wants of the vulnerable people of the
society should be given more preference (Long,2018). This principle of the Catholic Social
Teaching puts more preference on the interests on the poor and the needy than the people
who capable themselves. According to this principle of the Catholic Social Teaching, The
Governments must take measures to make sure that the interests of the poor, needy and the
vulnerable people of the society. The interests and the demands of the needy must be fulfilled
by the Governments of the countries so that the vulnerable people are abler to satisfy their
needs and wants (Smith, 2017). Thus, the principle of Preference of the Poor can be best
explained by providing all kinds of helps to the poor people of the society who needs it the
most. This includes making more provisions for such people in the field of education,
employment or other fields so that the problems faced by these people can be removed.
In addition to this, it is necessary for the societies and the Governments of the
countries of the world to make sure that the poor people of their societies are performing as
equally as the able persons of the society itself. Another thing which needs to be mentioned
in this case is the fact that that this attention to the poor and the vulnerable people of the
society should not only be limited to the wealth itself (Mowbray, 2015). Rather, it should be
limited to all aspects of the society itself. The care should be provided to such people in the
field of various subjects like that of education, jobs and other factors. Hence, this is what the

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concept of the Preference for the Poor refers as part of the Catholic Social Teachings (CST).
An example of the concept of Catholic Social Teaching is the mental health patients who
should be helped and protected and ensured that they do not face any problems in their lives
(Smith,2017).
Common Good
The concept of the common good is also another important principle of the CST
technique itself. In this case, it can be it can be said that the main purpose of the concept of
the common good is to provide help to the people who needs such helps by such sacrificing
the interests of the individuals themselves (Mowbray, 2015). In this case, it can be said the
main aim of this principle is to fulfil the good for the entire society itself. This can include the
young and the old as well as the rich and the poor itself. The concept of the common good
can be used in the sense of helping the people of the society. If the people of the society have
any demands and interests, it is necessary that these demands be met. In the process of
meeting these demands of the people, one’s own interests must be sacrificed (Mowbray,
2019). This will be helpful for the society because it will lead to good for the people of the
society. Hence the people will be happy. This is the main purpose of the common good.
Doing others good by sacrificing one’s own interest is what God had always believed and
taught to his disciples, hence it forms one of the most important principle of Catholic Social
Teaching (CST). It had been mentioned by Pope John Paul had stated the fact that the
concept of the common good is something which should come into existence in a community
formed by solidarity among the people who are willing to participate in the society.
Similarly, it has been stated in the case of the international relations between the
individuals, the interdependence should be changed into solidarity based on the belief that the
goods are meant to be used by everyone (Mckinney, 2018). This will help in the creation of

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the international order for the individuals, a society which would be built on the basis of love
and compassion for all the members of the society. Thus, it is important that the people of the
society come together so that they can contribute to the common good of the society. It is
because of this that the principal of common good is considered to be important for the
members of the society.
This common good of the society can be maintained by the establishment of the
schools, offices and clinics for the societies. This would lead to the satisfaction of the
demands of the people themselves (Long,2018). An example of this would be providing free
food and medicines to the people of the society itself.
Thus, all this elements helps to understand the concept of the Catholic Social
Teaching to the readers themselves. Each of these elements helps the readers to understand
how the concept actually worlds. That is why it is being said that Catholic Social Teachings
is said to be one of the most important concepts presented to the readers themselves. Using
the principle of their choice, the readers can implement the concept of the Catholic Social
Teaching in practical life in the society for the betterment of the people and the society.

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Reference List
Long, S.A.(2018). Understanding the Common Good. Nova Et Vetera. The catholic
University of America Press, 16(4), 1135-1152 Retrieved from:https://acu-edu-
primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/sb9f4f/TN_museS247058611840004X
Mckinney, S. (2018). The roots of the preferential option for the poor in Catholic schools in
Luke's Gospel. International Studies in Catholic Education, 10(2), 220-232.DOI:
10.1080-19422539.2018.1492264
Mowbray, A. (2015). Subsidiarity and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human
Rights Law Review, 15(2), 313-341. https://doi.org/10.1093/hrlr/ngv002
Smith, G. (2017). Human dignity as a normative standard or as a value in global health care
decisionmaking? North Carolina Journal of International Law, 42(2), 275-
305.Retrieved from:
https://acu-edu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/sb9f4f/
TN_gale_ofa492704945