Catholic Social Teaching
'This aspect of school life is judged to be outstanding. The Servites’ commitment to action for social justice is very high and this is reflected in the school’s life.' Section 48 Report 2017
Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice. It holds that God has a special place in this story for each of us, whoever we are. Our part in this plan isn’t just limited to things ‘spiritual’, or things we might do on Sundays, but that it involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a responsible global citizens. Our part in this story is a kind-of vocation for the common good, a call to treat everyone as your brothers and sisters and is something that we all share.
The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are:
The principle of Dignity of the Human Person - we know that everyone is important and valuable: no one is better than anyone else.
The principle of the Common Good - we work together so that our community is good for everyone to live in.
The principle of Preferential option for the Poor - we share what we have so that everyone gets some; we make sure the people who have the least get served first.
The principles of Subsidiarity and Participation - we make sure everyone gets a chance to talk about decisions. We make sure we include those who will be most affected by any decision.
The principle of Stewardship – Care of our common home. We remember that the world is everyone’s home (even those people who haven’t been born yet!) and so we don’t mess it up.
The principle of Solidarity - we stick together, and when we find that people aren’t being treated well or are being taken advantage of, we work to make it fair for them.
Watch this short video which explains it in an easy to understand way.
//www.youtube.com/embed/XNcBCPVbYDU#t=0.5
Rooted in Love is a Religious Education resource for primary schools, developed in partnership with the Diocese of Westminster Education Service and funded by the ALF grant. It addresses the objectives relating to Catholic Social Teaching from the new Religious Education Directory, including prayer and liturgy ideas around each theme, as well as suggestions for bringing this work to life in the Catholic life and mission of the school. Rooted in Love is split into 6 themes, one for each half term.
