What is Catholic Social Teaching?

Catholic Social Teaching is founded in Scripture and includes statements and letters written by Church leaders. It offers wisdom and insights on living the Gospel in today’s world. Jesus tells us to love God and to love our neighbours, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Modern Catholic Social Teaching is said to have originated in 1891 with the encyclical letter, Rerum Novarum. Since then, the Church gives new life to the Scriptures and shapes its response to our modern world from teachings and evaluation of scripture.

Pope Francis continues to add to Catholic Social Teaching with his own encyclicals, including Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020). From these Catholic Social Teaching documents and encyclicals we derive core principles. There is no fixed or official list of principles but OLOL use those established by CAFOD. There are nine principles used. The principles overlap, and our actions for global and local justice will often be in response to more than one principle at a time.

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world, since we can all make a difference in making our world a better place for all. Christ shows us how to walk in his footsteps, bringing love and care to those both near and far. It is our vocation to live as Jesus and saints throughout the ages, bettering our world for everyone.

The 9 Interwoven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching (using CAFOD's child friendly model)

• Dignity of the human person - Everyone is special
• The Common Good - Thinking of everyone
• Participation - Taking Part
• Subsidiarity - Everyone should have a say
• Stewardship - Caring for God's Gifts
• Option for the Poor - Putting people in most need first
• Distributive Justice - Sharing Fairly
• Solidarity - Showing we care
• Promoting Peace - Being peacemakers

Catholic Social Teaching in our Curriculum at OLOL

The curriculum at OLOL provides many opportunities for children and staff to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and to action that commitment through good works and words that show we live our faith in our community as a force for good. Pupils from OLOL should be aware of what is happening in the world, their community and their school and be minded towards effecting positive change. Pupil Voice at OLOL is evident in all aspects of our curriculum and religious life.