This reflection sheet looks at the idea that human persons are social by nature. It focuses on a brief quote from Pope Francis’ encyclical On the Light of Faith (Lumen Fidei), offers some points for reflection, a prayer, and ideas for action in daily life.
Here’s my June reflection for CatholicCare Sydney. CatholicCare’s Person-Centred Approach is about keeping a focus on the dignity of the person at the heart of things. It sounds very straight-forward and obvious, but in fact it calls us to act in ways that are deeply counter-cultural. It calls us to act to change the...
This one page class handout summarizes the four key principles of Catholic Social Teaching that are considered to be perennial, that is valid always and everywhere. Further principles, criteria for judgement and guidelines for action can be derived from them.
This presentation gives a general introduction to Catholic Social Teaching and highlights four key principles: human dignity; the common good; subsidiarity; and solidarity.
My reflection for the May staff newsletter of CatholicCare Sydney focuses on subsidiarity and collaborating with those whom we serve. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘subsidiarity’? Do you think of a small company that is owned by a larger company? Subsidiarity is a key principle in Catholic Social Teaching....
We are made in the likeness of a Trinitarian God – a community of persons in perfect relationship. God is community and makes community. Human beings cannot survive without others and can only grow and achieve our potential in relationship with others – we are social by nature. It follows that our salvation is...
The principle of subsidiarity concerns how participation and decision making should be organised. Responsibility should be kept as close as possible to the grassroots. The people or groups most directly affected by a decision or policy should have a key decision making role in it. More encompassing groups should only intervene to support smaller,...