Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the Divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in

Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the Divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries.[1] It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the supernatural, but also deals with religious epistemology, asks and seeks to answer the question of revelation. Revelation pertains to the acceptance of God, gods, or deities, as not only transcendent or above the natural world, but also willing and able to interact with the natural world and, in particular, to reveal themselves to humankind. While theology has turned into a secular field, religious adherents still consider theology to be a discipline that helps them live and understand concepts such as life and love and that helps them lead lives of obedience to the deities they follow or worship. Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
Catholic social teaching has been called the Church’s “best kept secret.”
Yet, from the beginning of time, God’s call to justice has been clear. The Law and the Prophets both preserve a
deep tradition of social justice in ancient Israel. Jesus himself proclaimed and embodied a society ruled by
justice and charity–the Reign of God. For over one hundred years, the Church has contributed to this tradition
in papal and episcopal writings. Finally, we see the social teachings of the Church written throughout history in
the lives of holy men and women.
So what is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching:
Catholic social teaching (CST) is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition. Pope John Paul II wrote, “The
Church’s social teaching finds its source in Sacred Scripture, beginning with the Book of Genesis and especially
in the Gospel and the writings of the Apostles. From the beginning, it was part of the Church’s teaching… [It
was) developed by the teaching of the Popes on the modern “social question,” beginning with the Encyclical
Rerum Novarum.”1
Catholic Social Teaching:
Catholic social teaching is social. Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself. Our lives are
involved with one another; through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No
one sins alone. No one is saved alone. The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say,
do and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over into that of others: for better and for worse.”2
Catholic Social Teaching:
Catholic social teaching is an expression of the Church’s ministry of teaching. The Bishops call Catholic social
teaching a “constitutive” part of the Church’s mission to the world. It is not only the prerogative of the
institutional church, but of the entire community.3 “It is the expression of the way that the Church understands
society and of her position regarding social structures and changes. The whole of the Church community-
priests, religious, and laity-participates in the formulation of this social doctrine.”4
Hope in Action
As Catholics, we are called to be witnesses to our faith in the way we live our lives. Pope Benedict XVI calls
this hope in action. “On the one hand, our actions engender hope for us and for others; but at the same time, it is
the great hope based upon God’s promises that gives us courage and directs our action in good times and bad.”5
As Catholics, our hope is grounded in the resurrection of Christ and the promises of God. Catholic Social
Teaching describes how we put that hope into action in our world.
INTRO to CATHOLICISM PAPER
15 Paragraph
1) What is CST – Catholic Social Teaching?
2) How many themes are there in CST?
3) Give a short description of each theme:
2nd Paragraph
4) Which theme did you picked? Care for God’s Creation
5) Why did you pick that theme?
6) What has been your experience with this issue in your life?
3rd Paragraph
How does the following scripture passage relate to Care for God’s Creation?
“Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. … If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not
much more provide for you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:26, 30)
4th
Paragraph
One way that God reveals himself to us is through his creation.
1) Have you experienced awe and wonder at God’s creation?
2) What has your experience with nature taught you about the Creator?
5th
Paragraph
Please explain what these 2 quotes mean to you:
“On this earth there is room for everyone: here the entire human family must find the resources to
live with dignity, through the help of nature itself-God’s gift to his children and through hard work
and creativity. At the same time, we must recognize our grave duty to hand the earth on to future
generations in such a condition that they too can worthily inhabit it and continue to cultivate it.”
Pope Benedict XVI, Charity in Truth (Caritas in Veritate), no. 50
“A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the
environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. … Everything is connected. Concern for
the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering
commitment to resolving the problems of society.
-Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si’), nos. 49,91
6th Paragraph
Please answer the following 3 questions:
1) How is the call to care for God’s creation connected with our concern for the life and dignity of every person-
both at home and around the world, now and in future generations?
2) your own community or globally, what examples have you encountered of environmental contamination or
climate change affecting vulnerable persons?
3) How do you see the Care for God’s creation being exercised in your country?

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