Chapter Three Justice and Society

We Belong to Each Other We belong to the community of humankind. We find our true selves by associating with and caring for other people.

Our Social Nature Life is like a spider web. We are all interconnected. A ripple effect of goodness or hostility might start from a single act. How? And?

Our Social Nature Q. What is Society? A. A group of persons bound together organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond each one of them. Characteristics of Societies: 1. The human person is at the center of all societies. 2. Societies are made for the benefit of the people.

As you can see in the chart, we belong to many different societies. Our Social Nature family neighborhood school team/clubs parish city state nation world

 Definition: the principle of Catholic social teaching that teaches that justice and human welfare are best achieved at the most immediate level  People should take responsibility to provide for their own welfare without government intervention  Supports the sharing of power and authority on the grassroots level Principle of Subsidiarity

 Definition: the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment  Three essential elements: 1) Respect for the person 2) Social well-being and development 3) Peace Principle of the Common Good

The common good cannot be promoted without respecting individuals and groups of people. Respect To feel esteem for or to honor a person To show consideration for, avoid violation of, or treat one with deference Principle of the Common Good

Solidarity: the Christian virtue of social charity that helps us to see we are all members of one human family, sharing equal human dignity. We share certain values, goals, standards and interests We are all responsible for each other We depend on each other Principle of the Common Good

Option for the Poor: our responsibility to do justice by looking out for the poor Requires us to change political and economic policies that hurt the poor Calls us to live more simply so that we can share our basic wealth with those who lack the basics Principle of the Common Good

The Human Family and Natural Law Natural law The imprint of divine light in our hearts so that every human being can discover what is true and how we should act in relationship to God and others Human reason commanding us to do good and avoid evil God’s law written on our hearts

1. Universal = it applies to each person and society 2. Unchangeable and permanent 3. The foundation for civil law The Human Family and Natural Law Natural Law is:

Responsibilities of Individuals & Society (Chart from p. 66 – Obligations of individuals/societal obligations)

Centrality of the Family The foundation of all society is the family. The family is original cell of social life. We cannot have a just society if the rights of families are not protected. Society and government have a duty to honor and assist family and to guarantee basic human rights.

1.1. All persons have the right to marry or remain single 2.2. Marriage must be a free and full consent expressed by the spouses 3.3. Spouses have the inalienable right to found a family 4.4. Human life must be protected from the moment of conception 5. Parents are the first educators of their children 6. Family has right to exist and progress 7. Right to live freely its own religious life and express faith publicly Centrality of the Family The Charter of the Rights of the Family

The Charter of the Rights of the Family, con’t Exercise social and political function 6.9. Rely on adequate family policy on the part of public authorities 7. Centrality of the Family 10. Right to a social and economic order in which organizations of work permit members to live together and offers recreation 11. Right to descent housing in an environment that provides the basic services for the life of the family and community 12. Families of migrants have the right to the same protection as other families

Vocabulary Society Subsidiarity Common good Solidarity Option for the poor Natural law The Charter of the Rights of the Family