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 part in this story is a kind-of 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 John the Baptist RC, 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. Each Celebration of the Word refers to Catholic Social Teaching which helps make the worship relevant to our lives today.

We have a Catholic Social Teaching Lead in school and a pupil leadership group who are dedicated to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and support the activities in school.

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. We use the CAFOD Catholic Social Teaching resources to support the children’s understanding of principles.

We are called to uphold the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

What are the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching?

  1. Dignity of the Human Person
    • Every human being is created in the image of God and deserves respect and protection. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
  2. Common Good and Community
    • The common good refers to the social conditions that allow people to reach their full human potential and realize their dignity. This principle emphasizes the importance of community and the need to work for the well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
  3. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
    • Society is judged by how well it treats its most vulnerable members. This principle calls for a preferential option for the poor, ensuring that their needs are prioritized and their voices are heard.
  4. Rights and Responsibilities
    • Human dignity can be protected, and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected, and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and those things required for human decency.
  5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity
    • The state has a positive moral function; it is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. The principle of subsidiarity emphasizes that decisions should be made at the most local level possible, as long as they can be effectively addressed.
  6. Economic Justice
    • The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Workers have the right to productive work, fair wages, and safe working conditions. The right to organize and join unions is respected, and private property is understood within the context of the universal destination of goods.
  7. Stewardship of Creation
    • We are called to protect the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. Environmental stewardship is a fundamental moral and ethical issue.
  8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
    • Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among human beings.
  9. Participation
    • All people have a right and duty to participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society. It is essential for human dignity and the development of the human community.

Catholic Social Teaching at St John the Baptist

Dignity of the Human Person

Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

St Paul tells us that each person is a work of art, created by God and chosen for a unique purpose. Ephesians 2:10

At St John the Baptist RC we recognise the human dignity of others by:

  • being respectful
  • treating people equally
  • raising awareness of civil rights
  • preferential option for the vulnerable
  • Having a diverse and inclusive curriculum
  • The work undertaken by our SENDCO and pastoral lead
  • Adapting lessons to provide for all
  • Pupil premium funding
  • school values
  • community links
  • working with outside agencies

Common Good and Community

The Common Good– Taking Part in our Communities

“You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person.  You are handing over to them what is theirs.” St Ambrose (340-397 AD)

At St John the Baptist RC we show we are part of a community by:

  • working together
  • working for the common good
  • participating and engaging
  • being active members of our community

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Option for the poor – Some People need Extra Help

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

At St John the Baptist RC we show a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable by:

  • fundraising for charitable causes
  • raising awareness
  • treating others with dignity and respect
  • thinking of the needs of others
  • donations for Rochdale Soup Kitchen
  • uniform exchanges
  • access to support from pastoral and SEND
  • support with breakfast and after school club

Rights and Responsibilities

Solidarity – We are One Big Family

Blessed Pope Paul VI taught that “If you want peace, work for justice”. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers.

At St John the Baptist RC we show solidarity by:

  • raising awareness of social justice
  • writing to our local leaders
  • praying for others
  • making connections
  • making socially responsible choices
  • uniform exchange
  • book exchanges for families in EYFS
  • growing vegetables in our Laudato Si centre to give to Rochdale Soup Kitchen
  • wellbeing ambassadors
  • young interpreters

Role of Government and Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity– All people Should have a Say

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right- Psalm 106:3

Fear not for I am with you. I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

At St John the Baptist RC we acknowledge our rights and responsibilities by:

  • recognising our duties as members of a community
  • standing up for what is right
  • following our school rules
  • pupil leadership roles
  • celebration assembly
  • women of Bible qualities for each class

Economic Justice

Distributive Justice – Being Fair

“…we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’

At St John the Baptist RC we recognise the need to share the worlds resources fairly by:

  • celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight
  • becoming a Fair aware school
  • by sharing our belongs

Stewardship of Creation

Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts

The ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion…Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. Pope Francis – Laudato Si

At St John the Baptist RC we show we care for creation by:

  • taking responsibility for our environment
  • making environmentally responsible choices
  • having awe and wonder for the natural world
  • Laudato Si team and Laudato Si centre
  • growing our vegetables for the school kitchen

Promotion of Peace and Disarmament

Promoting Peace – We can be God’s instruments of Peace

“Our common bonds of humanity demand that we live in harmony and that we promote what is good for one another. These ethical implications are the reason why solidarity is a basic key to peace.” St John Paul II

At St John the Baptist RC we show we are people of peace by:

  • treating each other kindly
  • turning away from conflict
  • creating bonds between people

Participation

Participation – The dignity of Work

Do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honour. (James 3:17)

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

At St John the Baptist RC we recognise the dignity of work by:

  • respecting all workers
  • contributing to society
  • making responsible economic choices
  • supporting wellbeing and workers’ rights
  • sharing our talents with others