Method of CST

THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS

The Method

Original Justice

is

GOD IS A GOD OF ORDER AND BEAUTY.

In the beginning- Chaos

Day 1- Day and Night

Day 2 – Sky and Seas

Day 3 – Waters and Dry Land

Day 4- Sun, Moon, Stars

Day 5- Birds and Fish

Day 6 – Animals, Humans

In the end- rest

WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER

No man is an island…- John Donne

…life is like a big spiderweb… - Frederick Buechner

SOCIETY a group of persons bound together

organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond each one of them. (CCC 1880)

Is made for the benefit of the people and not the other way around

“ the social order and its development must invariably work to the benefit of the human person” (Gaudium et Spes 26)

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

SOCIAL JUSTICE

to denounce injustice/to proclaim JUSTICE.

.

poverty, injustices, war, calamities, soaring prices of basic commodities, transportation and fuel, maltreatment and abuses, etc.

FACES OF CRISIS

IS THIS A REAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?

THE CHURCH DREAMS OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE:

ALIVE AND LIFE-GIVING

FREE AND FREEING

RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE

LOVING AND LOVABLE

CARING AND COMMUNITY MINDED

The Church also dreams of a community that:

1. speaks and listens,2. a community that discerns and decides together in implementing their decisions,3. prays and celebrate their joys and sorrows together,4. honestly looks at what they had done and failed.

The Church dreams of people becoming persons reflecting God’s image in

themselves, their actions, their beings.

THE METHOD

Of Catholic Social Teaching

see

judge

act

reflection/action process

SEE – Principles of Reflection

JUDGE – Criteria for Judgment

ACT – Direction for Action

1. SEE -Seeing, hearing, and experiencing the lived reality of individuals and communities.

- Carefully and intentionally examining the primary data of the situation. What are the people in this situation doing, feeling, and saying? What is happening to them and how do they respond?

Reflection/Action Worksheet

1. See:

What do you know about this issue or what did you observe?

What specific facts can you cite about this issue or experience?

What did you learn or observe?

How do you feel in the face of this issue or experience?

How does it touch you personally?

2. Judge (the heart of the

process)

a. Social Analysis - Obtaining a more complete picture of the social situation by exploring its historical and structural relationships. In this step, we attempt to make sense of the reality that was observed in Step 1. Why are things this way? What are the root causes?

2. Judge: a. Social Analysis

Why does this situation exist? What are the root causes?

Economic factors -- Who owns? Who controls? Who pays? Who gets?

Who gets left out? Why?

Political factors – Who decides? For whom do they decide?

How do decisions get made? Who is left out of the process? Why?

Social Factors – Who is left out? Who is included? Why?

Historic Factors – What past events influence the situation today?

Cultural Factors – What values are evident? What do people believe in? Who influences what people believe?

2. Judge (the heart of the

process)

b. Theological Reflection – Analyzing the experience in the light of scripture and the Catholic social tradition? How do biblical values and the principles of Catholic social teaching help us to see this reality in a different way? How do they serve as a measuring stick for this experience?

2. Judge b. Theological Reflection

What lessons or values from scripture can help us to interpret this experience?

E.g. the prophets, the Beatitudes, the example of Jesus himself, and the parables he told.

What key principles from Catholic Social Teaching apply to this situation?

E.g. human dignity, the common good, human rights, the option for the poor.

3. ActPlanning and carrying out actions aimed at transforming the social structures that contribute to suffering and injustice.

081107 prepared by: Joan Christi S. Trocio

3. ActDo you have enough information and analysis to

act?

If not, what additional research is needed?

If you were to act to change this situation, what

root causes would you attack?

How would you transform the structures and

relationships that produce this situation?

How can you act to support the empowerment of

those who are poor or disadvantaged?

observe

judge

act

reflection/action process

SEE JUDGEACT

SEE

Featured photographs of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary adorned with objects not related to Christianity.

A crucifix was decorated with a piece of wood in a shape of a phallic symbol.

One Christ the King figurine had rabbit ears (mickey mouse).

JUDGE

Art? Art involves the use of imagination,

craftsmanship and originality. “It is not -- I repeat -- it is not art! It is an

immature and juvenile attempt at caricature” – F.Sionil Jose (National Artist) 

On Religion sacrilegious and blasphemous “It is not only sick, it is also sickening.

Binabastos mo ‘yung pananampalataya ng iba,“ - Archbishop O. Cruz.

ACT

Close down the controversial exhibit showing defaced religious icons

Pursue the charges because a serious offense has been committed and the CCP and the artist are accountable under the law.

Create a society that promotes values and respect for one’s belief.

observe

judge

act

reflection/action process

Improper Waste Disposal

081107

1923 Charles Schwab,

president of the largest steel company

Samuel Insull, president of the largest electric utility company

1948 Died bankrupt

living on borrowed money for five years before his death

Died a fugitive from the law and penniless in a foreign country

1923 Howard Hopson,

president of the largest gas company

Arthur Cutten, great wheat speculator

1948 Was diagnosed as

insane

Died abroad insolvent

1923 Richard Whitney,

President of the New York Stock exchange

Albert Fall, secretary of the interior in President Harding’s cabinet

1948 Was released from

Sing Sing prison

Was pardoned from prison so he could die at home- broke

1923 Leon Fraser,

president of the Bank of International Settlements

Ivar Krueger. Great monopoly player

1948 Committed suicide

Committed suicide