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"Catholic Social Thought": SOCIAL DOCTRINE AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL

To present the Church's position clearly and without any other ideological frills

THE LAY FAITHFUL

  • 541.
    • “The essential characteristic of the lay faithful who work in the Lord’s vineyard is the secular nature of their Christian discipleship, which is carried out precisely in the world.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 31: AAS 57 (1965), 37.
  • 542.
    • “The identity of the lay faithful is born in and nourished by the sacraments.”
    • “Lay Catholics are disciples of Christ starting with the sacraments, that is, by virtue of what God has wrought in them, marking them with the very image of his Son Jesus Christ.”
  • 543.
    • “It is the proper duty of the lay faithful to proclaim the Gospel with an exemplary witness of life rooted in Christ and lived in temporal realities.”
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, 15: AAS 81 (1989), 415.
  • 544.
    • “The witness of the lay faithful is born from the gift of grace, recognized, nurtured and brought to maturity.”
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, 24: AAS 81 (1989), 433-435.
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 76: AAS 58 (1966), 1099.

SPIRITUALITY OF THE LAY FAITHFUL

  • 545.
    • “The lay faithful are called to cultivate an authentic lay spirituality by which they are reborn as new men and women, both sanctified and sanctifiers, immersed in the mystery of God and inserted in society.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 31: AAS 57 (1965), 37-38.
  • 546.
    • “The lay faithful must strengthen their spiritual and moral lives, becoming ever more competent in carrying out their social duties.”
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifidelis Laici, 59: AAS 81 (1989), 509.
    • “Bringing faith and life together requires following the path judiciously indicated by the characteristic elements of Christian living.”

ACTING WITH PRUDENCE

  • 547.
    • “The lay faithful should act according to the dictates of prudence, the virtue that makes it possible to discern the true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means for achieving it.  Thanks to this virtue, moral principles are applied correctly to particular cases.”
  • 548.
    • “Prudence makes it possible to make decisions that are consistent, and to make them with realism and a sense of responsibility for one’s action.”
      • Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1806.
      • Saint Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologiae, II-II, qq. 47-56: Ed. Leon. 8, 348-406.

SOCIAL DOCTRINE AND LAY ASSOCIATIONS

  • 549.
    • “The Church’s social doctrine must become an integral part of the ongoing formation of the lay faithful.  Experience shows that this formative work is usually possible within lay ecclesial associations that respond to precise ‘criteria of ecclesiality.’
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, 30: AAS 81 (1989), 446-448.
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, 62: AAS 81 (1989), 516-517.
      • John XXIII, Encyclical Letter Mater et Magistra: AAS 53 (1961) 455.
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici, 29: AAS 81 (1989), 443.
  • 550.
    • “The Church’s social doctrine is extremely important for ecclesial associations that have pastoral action within society as their objective.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 76: AAS 58 (1966), 1099.
    • “The various specialized associations that gather people together in the name of their Christian vocation and mission within a particular professional or cultural field have a precious role to play in forming mature Christians.”

SERVICE IN THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF SOCIAL LIFE

  • 551.
    • “The presence of the laity in social life is characterized by service, the sign and expression of love, which is seen in the areas of the family, culture, work, economics and politics according to specific aspects.”
      • John XXIII, Encyclical Letter Mater et Magistra: AAS 53 (1961), 454.
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 57: AAS 83 (1991), 862-863.
    • “Having entered into the Third Millenium of the Christian era, the lay faithful will open themselves, through their witness, to all people with whom they will take on the burden of the most pressing calls of our time.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 91: AAS 58 (1966), 1113.

SERVICE TO THE HUMAN PERSON

  • 552.
    • “Among the areas of the social commitment of the laity, service to the human person emerges as a priority.”
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, 37: AAS 81 (1989), 460.
    • “The first form in which this task is undertaken consists in the commitment and efforts to renew oneself interiorly.”
      • Pius XI, Encyclical Letter Quadragesimo Anno: AAS 23 (1931), 218.
    • “It is from the conversion of hearts that there arises concern for others, loved as brothers or sisters.”
  • 553.
    • “Promoting human dignity implies above all affirming the inviolability of the right to life, from conception to natural death.”
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction Donum Vitae, (22 February 1987): AAS 80 (1988), 70-102.
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, 39: AAS 81 (1989), 466.
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 42-48: AAS 74 (1982), 134-140.

SERVICE IN CULTURE

  • 554.
    • “Culture must represent a privileged area for the presence and commitment of the Church and individual Christians.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 43: AAS 58 (1966), 1062.
      • John Paul II, Address to UNESCO (2 June 1980), 7: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 23 June 1980, p. 9.
  • 555.
    • “Fostering a social and political culture inspired by the Gospel must be an area of particular importance for the lay faithful.”
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 7: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, p. 15.
  • 556.
    • “The integral perfection of the person and the good of the whole of society are the essential ends of culture; the ethical dimension of culture is therefore a priority in the social action of the laity.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 59: AAS 58 (1966), 1079-1080.
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 50: AAS 83 (1991), 856.
      • John Paul II, Address to UNESCO (2 June 1980), 11: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 23 June 1980, p. 10.
  • 557.
    • “The social and political involvement of the lay faithful in the area of culture moves today in specific directions.  The first is that of seeking to guarantee the right of each person to a human and civil culture.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 60: AAS 58 (1966), 1081.
  • 558.
    • “The second challenge for Christian commitment concerns the content of culture, that is, truth.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 61: AAS 58 (1966), 1082.
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 24: AAS 83 (1991), 822.
  • 559.
    • “Christians must work so that the full value of the religious dimension of culture is seen.  This is a very important and urgent task for the quality of human life, at both the individual and social levels.”
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 24: AAS 83 (1991), 821-822.
  • 560.
    • “In the promotion of an authentic culture, the laity will place great importance on mass media, examining above all the contents of the countless choices that people make.”
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 24: AAS 83 (1991), 821-822.
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio, 36-48: AAS 91 (1999), 33-34.
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 55: AAS 83 (1991), 861.
      • John Paul II, Message for the 1999 World Day of Social Communications, 3: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 3 February 1999, pp. 1-2.
  • 561.
    • “The lay faithful will look upon the media as possible and powerful instruments of solidarity.”
      • Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2495.
      • Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Ethics in Communications (4 June 2000), 14, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2000, pp. 14-16.
    • “Communication structures and policies, and the distribution of technology are factors that help to make some people ‘information rich; and others ‘information poor’ at a time when prosperity, and even survival, depend on information.”
  • 562.
    • “Professionals in the field of media are not the only people with ethical duties.  Those who make use of the media also have obligations.  Media operators who try to meet their responsibilities deserve audiences who are aware of their own responsibilities.”
      • Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Ethics in Communications, 4 June 2000, 33, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2000, p. 40.

SERVICE IN THE ECONOMY

  • 563.
    • “Faced with the complexity of today’s economic context, the laity will be guided in their action by the principles of the social Magisterium.”
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 3: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, p. 8.
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 41: AAS 80 (1988), 570.
  • 564.
    • “Economists, those working in this field and political leaders must sense the urgency of rethinking the economy.”
      • John Paul II, Message for the 2000 World Day of Peace, 14: AAS 92 (2000), 366.
      • John Paul II, Message for the 2000 World Day of Peace, 17: AAS 92 (2000), 367-368.

SERVICE IN POLITICS

  • 565.
    • “For the lay faithful, political involvement is a worthy and demanding expression of the Christian commitment of service to others.”
      • Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Octogesima Adveniens, 46: AAS 63 (1971), 433-436.
  • 566.
    • “The tasks accompanying responsibilities in social and political institutions demand a strict and articulated commitment that is able to demonstrate clearly the absolute necessity of the moral dimension in social and political life through thoughtful contributions to the political debate, planning and the chosen actions.”
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 36: AAS 80 (1988), 561-563.
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 6: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, p. 13.
  • 567.
    • “In the context of the laity’s political commitment, particular attention must be given to preparing believers to exercise the power that will be theirs, especially when they are entrusted with such duties by their fellow citizens in accordance with democratic rules.”
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 46: AAS 83 (1991), 850.
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 74: AAS 58 (1966), 1095-1097.
  • 568.
    • “The lay faithful are called to identify steps that can be taken in concrete political situations in order to put into practice the principles and values proper to life in society.  This calls for a method of discernment.”
      • Congregation for Catholic Education, Guidelines for the Study and Teaching of the Church's Social Doctrine in the Formation of Priests, 8, Vatican Polyglot Press, Rome 1988, pp. 13-14.
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 7: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, pp. 15-16.
  • 569.
    • “A characteristic context for the exercise of discernment can be found in the functioning of the democratic system, understood by many today in agnostic and relativistic terms that lead to the belief that truth is something determined by the majority and conditioned by political considerations.”
      • John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 46: AAS 83 (1991), 850-851.
    • “In such situations certain fundamental criteria are useful.”
  • 570.
    • “When –– concerning areas or realities that involve fundamental ethical duties –– legislative or political choices contrary to Christian principles and values are proposed or made, the Magisterium teaches that ‘a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political programme or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals.”
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 4: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, p. 9.
      • John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae, 73: AAS 87 (1995), 486-487.
    • “Faced with the many situations involving fundamental and indispensable moral duties, it must be remembered that Christian witness is to be considered a fundamental obligation that can even lead to the sacrificing of one’s life, to martyrdom in the name of love and human dignity.”
      • John Paul II, Post-Synodal Exhortation, Christifideles Laici, 39: AAS 81 (1989), 466-468.
  • 571.
    • “The political commitment of Catholics is often placed in the context of the ‘autonomy’ of the State, that is, the distinction between the political and religious spheres.”
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 76: AAS 58 (1966), 1099-1100.
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 6: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, p. 11.
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 6: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, p. 12.
    • “When the Church’s Magisterium intervenes in issues concerning social and political life, it does not fail to observe the requirements of a correctly understood autonomy, for ‘the Church’s Magisterium does not wish to exercise political power or eliminate the freedom of opinion of Catholics regarding contingent questions.  Instead, it intends –– as is its proper function –– to instruct and illuminate the consciences of the faithful, particularly those involved in political life, so that their actions may always serve the integral promotion of the human person and the common good.  The social doctrine of the Church is not an intrusion into the government of individual countries.  It is a question of the lay Catholic’s duty to be morally coherent, found within one’s conscience, which is one and indivisible.”
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 6: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, pp. 12-13.
  • 572.
    • “The principle of autonomy involves respect for every religious confession on the part of the State, which ‘assures the free exercise of ritual, spiritual, cultural and charitable activities by communities of believers.  In a pluralistic society, secularity is a place for communication between the different spiritual traditions and the nation.’”
      • John Paul II, Address to the Diplomatic Corps (12 January 2004), 3: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 21 January 2004, p. 3.
      • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 6: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, p. 14.
  • 573.
    • “A particular area for discernment on the part of the lay faithful concerns the choice of political instruments, that is, membership in a party or in other types of political participation.  A choice must be made that is consistent with values, taking into account actual circumstances.”
      • Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Octogesima Adveniens, 46: AAS 63 (1971), 433-435.
  • 574.
    • “The distinction that must be made on the one hand between the demands of faith and socio-political options, and on the other hand between the choices made by individual Christians and the Christian community as such, means that membership in a party or in a political alliance should be considered a personal decision, legitimate at least within the limits of those parties and positions that are not incompatible with Christian faith and values.”
      • Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Octogesima Adveniens, 50: AAS 63 (1971), 439-440.
      • Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Octogesima Adveniens, 4: AAS 63 (1971), 403-404.
      • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 43: AAS 58 (1966), 1063.

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