Social Teachings of the Church

1.The Principle of Human Dignity
2.Principle of Respect for Human Life
3.Principle of Association
4.Principle of Participation
5.Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable
6.Principle of Solidarity
7.Principle of Stewardship
8.Principle of Subsidiarity
9.Principle of Human Equality
10.The Principle of the Common Good

During this section of our class, we were asked to think about these basic building blocks and see which are evident in our lives at SLUH or out in our world, whether this means St. Louis, the United States, or the entire world.

For the most part, I believe that Principle #6, the Principle of Solidarity, is very prominant at SLUH. Solidarity is the idea that all people are brothers and sisters, and we are all called to help each other to promote the common good in our society. Banners saying "Brotherhood" hang in all of the school hallways as a constant reminder of the unity of the SLUH community. Mr. Clark, the Dean of Students, is always reminding students about treating their SLUH brothers well, and I think that most SLUH students really do look out for each other and feel some bond to each other. For example, it has been my experience that if you ask someone at SLUH for help, whether it is a student or a faculty member, they will almost always stop what they were doing to lend a hand. If I miss a day of school and ask a classmate for the class notes that I missed, they are always happy to lend them to me. When a member of the SLUH community is going through a tough time, the school gathers together to try and raise their spirits, like after the death of Chris Zandstra or the retirement of a treasured faculty member. Not only does the brotherhood of SLUH band together during times of trouble, but the SLUH community also celebrates success together. Recently, SLUH's water polo and cross country teams won state titles and the school gathered in the gym to celebrate and hang the banner for all to see. I think that SLUH shows this principle very well.

On a nationwide scale, I think that the United States does a good job of following the 8th principle, the principle of subsidiarity. This principle states that government should be limited and ought not to interfere in local issues unless absolutely necessary. Subsidiarity is a key point in the U.S. Constitution. In creating America's democratic government, limits were placed on the power of the federal government. These limits prevent the federal government from intervening in local or even state matters. For example, a criminal is first tried in a local city court, then a state court, and then, if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court. With this system in place, the federal government only intervenes when the issue cannot be resolved by a local court. Other instances of the principle of subsidiarity in the United States is that certain powers are granted only to the states, while other powers are reserved for the federal government. For example, states can make their own laws, so long as they do not violate the already-existing federal laws. Every governing power in the country has its own unique powers. On the local city level, a mayor can decide about the building and maintenance of public property. On the state level, a governor can regulate highway or interstate construction as well as state-wide laws. On the national level, the federal government handles issues of taxes, foreign relations, and the maintaining of a trained army.

Also important for the principle of subsidiarity is that a higher level of the governing system can still step in to help the lower levels in extreme situations of need. While in most cases the federal government stays out of local issues (as it should), the federal government can still intervene during certain situations. For example, when Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast of the United States, the federal government called in the National Guard to help residents in New Orleans and other cities in the affected area. This intervention is a part of the principle of subsidiarity, since it is the duty of a group of individual to help others who do not have the means to help themselves, and to continue this aid until the affected party recovers and can again function on its own power.

One of the building blocks of Catholilc social teaching which I do not see much of at SLUH is the Principle of Stewardship. While SLUH does have an excellent Community Service Program (CSP), I think that many SLUH students fail to live up to the demands of the Principle of Stewardship, which states that it is the duty of each person to show respect for creation, personal talents, personal health, and use of personal property. I believe that SLUH fails to meet this principle since the hallways are often littered with trash and small scraps of paper or candy wrappers. Also, theft has become a bigger problem at SLUH as calculators, wallets, and books are often taken from unlocked lockers or other storage spaces around the school. Although Mr. Clark and other faculty members constantly remind students to be respectful of others' property and of the school grounds, theft and littering continue to be a problem.

On a global level, I think that the world often fails at the Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable. This principal states that we should put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first since the common good of society as a whole requires that those who have much to help provide for those who have little. There are millions of people in the world who go hungry every day, or do not have adequate housing or medical care. Yet, while these people struggle to survive everyday, people in wealthy industrial nations such as the United States and many European countries enjoy expensive luxuries like fancy cars, elegant clothing, and huge houses. Many people ignore this vast separation between the wealthy and the poor of the world. Some believe that those who are poor are in that condition because of their own laziness, yet this not true. Many are born into poverty, or become poor when their employer lays off workers or their country plunges into debt since it cannot properly support a large population. To me, it seems that wealthy countries do not do enough to try and help those countries who struggle with poverty, and it seems to me that many people don't care enought to try and help. I think that most people ignore the issue, it does not directly affect them and since it is not a easy issue to face. Still, the preferential treatment of the poor and vulnerable is key to Catholic Social Teaching./p>

Key Ideas

1.Counseling the Doubtful
2.Instructing the Ignorant
3.Admonishing Sinners
4.Comforting the Afflicted
5.Forgiving Offenses
6.Bearing wrongs patiently
7.Praying for the Living and the Dead

One key idea from this section is the Spiritual Works of Mercy. These works are designed to show ways that we could (and should) help others in a spiritual or non-physical manner. The corporal works of mercy focus on physical actions (...feed the poor...clothe the naked...visit the sick...) and the spiritual works of mercy focus more on spiritual or psychological ways to help others. Although I remember learning these works in gradeschool theology, I have since forgotten them and would now like to remember them again. While the corporal works of mercy are closely related to the spiritual works of mercy, I think that the corporal works are more obvious than the spiritual works. I would think that most people would know it is good to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and give drink to the thirsty. However the spiritual works are more subtle. I think that remembering these particular works would be a good, different way to help others.

The Family

Another idea from this section is the importance of the family as a learning place of social justice. A child's family is the first source of information in all aspects of the child's life. The things a child learns early in life from his family are likely to be the longest-lasting things the child remembers. Parents have a huge responsibility to make sure they set a good example for their child and teach their child how to behave and to show their child the basics of social justice be setting this example. As our book puts it, "The family is the first school of social justice. It is the domestic church which the children receive their initial instruction in their proper places in society." I think that this is an important idea since it shows how important a person's family is, and how big a role parents have in social justice. I may have a family of my own one day, and I hope that I remember this section of this chapter if/when that day comes.

Key Question

What role does a nation's government play in social justice?

While it is important for individuals to strive for social justice, I think that a nation's government should also play a big role in social justice in their nation. To me, a government's job is to protect the people within its borders and ensure that they are safe and provided for. Private charities do a lot for the poor and vulnerable, but I think that a government needs also to play a part in aiding those in need. Our book also points out that every human in a community has certain rights, and it is the government's job to protect these rights. Protection of rights is a key part in social justice. Every person has a right to live and to live with dignity. I believe that it is the government's job to ensure that this right is respected for all people within the nation.