What is Catholic Social Teaching?
‘Young people are not meant to become discouraged; they are meant to dream great things, to seek vast horizons, to aim higher, to take on the world, to accept challenges and to offer the best of themselves to the building of something better.’
Pope Francis, Christus Vivit 15
Click here to view CAFOD ‘s video on CST
An essential part of the Catholic faith, the key values of Catholic Social Teaching are found at the core of the Gospel.
The key themes of CST are:
- Care for Creation – (Taught in the first half Autumn Term)
- Option for the Poor – (Taught in the second half Autumn Term)
- Solidarity & Peace (Taught in the first half Spring Term)
- Community & Participation – (Taught in the second half Spring Term)
- Dignity in Work – (Taught in the first half Summer Term)
- Human Dignity – (Taught in the second half Summer Term)
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is based on a tradition of episcopal and papal writings on political, economic and social issues facing our time. CST provides us with a structure on how to encompass and apply these reflections to our daily lives. More importantly, it guides us on how we should respond to our faith as individuals, and actively respond to God’s call to work towards a common good.
At St Charles School we follow the ‘Rooted in Love’ programme of study which has been recommended by the Diocese of Westminster. It addresses the objectives relating to Catholic Social Teaching from the new Religious Education Directory, including prayer and liturgy ideas around each theme, as well as suggestions for bringing this work to life in the Catholic life and mission of the school.