Catholic Social Teaching

At St William’s we live by our motto ‘Christ at our Heart’ which means Christ is at the centre of everything we do, living by the commandment “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt 22:37–39)

Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice.

It holds that God has a special plan for every single one of us, whoever we are. Our part in this plan isn’t just limited to things ‘spiritual’, or times when we do “religious things.” It involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a responsible global citizen.

Our role in this story is a vocation for the common good, a call to treat everyone as our brothers and sisters. It is something that we all share.

The Catholic Church has seven principles of social teaching that we share with our children through all that we do, through the curriculum, special events and activity and through our ordinary actions in school.

At St William’s, Catholic Social Teaching is incorporated into our curriculum. Children are asked to put their faith into action and reflect on how their learning enables them to do so.

Catholic Social Teaching underpins the essence of our daily school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are all called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation, and to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need. Pope Francis emphasises that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. It is vital that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus’ teaching and doing good deeds.

1. Human Dignity

Every person is special because they are made in the image of God. We must respect and protect all human life.

"So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27

The Common Good

We should work together to make sure everyone can live a good life, with their needs met and their rights respected.

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4

Participation

Everyone has the right to take part in decisions that affect their lives and communities. We should all have a voice and a role.

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." - Matthew 18:20

Subsidiarity

Problems should be solved at the smallest and closest level first, with help from larger organisations if needed.

"But all things should be done decently and in order." - 1 Corinthians 14:40

Stewardship

God made the world and everything in it. We should take care of the earth and protect it for future generations.

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." - Genesis 2:15

Solidarity

We are all part of one human family, no matter where we come from. We should help each other and live in peace.

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28

Option for the Poor

We should give extra care to those who are poor or in need, just like Jesus did.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40

Distributive Justice

Everyone should have what they need to live a good life. Resources should be shared fairly among all people.

"He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." - Luke 3:11

9. Promotion of Peace

We should live peacefully with others and work to resolve conflicts in a fair and loving way.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9