What is Catholic Social Teaching?

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world.

Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.

Modern Catholic Social Teaching is said to have originated in 1891 with the encyclical letter, Rerum Novarum. Since then, a wealth of teaching continues to give new life to the Scriptures and shape the Church’s response to our modern world. Pope Francis’ continues to add to Catholic Social Teaching with his own encyclicals including Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020) From these Catholic social teaching documents and encyclicals we derive core principles. There is no fixed or official list of principles and different organisations and writers include different ones. However, they will include the same ideas and beliefs and below is some examples of how Saint Mary's live out CAFOD's principles:

CAFOD led a whole school assembly to introduce Catholic Social Teaching. We learned about their 'Brighten Up' campaign and listened to ideas of how we can build a better world. Each class also joined in with a workshop. 

Human Dignity

The Common Good

In October 2024, the GIFT team delivered harvest festival donations to the local foodbank. 

Stewardship

Thinking of ways to look after our world, most year groups have studied how to be a good steward in the Autumn term.

Year 2 collected rubbish from around the school grounds and made a bird nests. 

Participation

Solidarity 

Year 2 learned about Solidarity with Shristi the Sun Bear. The children thought of ways we can stand together to make the world a better place.

Promoting Peace

The Mini Vinnies have been reading Bible stories to our Nursery and Reception children. 

The GIFT team have also led the children in praying the rosary.

Subsidiarity 

Distributive Justice

Preferential Option for the Poor

In December 2024, our GIFT and Mini Vinnies organised fundraising events to raise money for Caritas. The children organised a Christmas jumper day and a cake sale. Funds raised from our Christmas performances were also sent to Caritas.