CST Principles
This principle teaches that every human being has value simply because they are human, regardless of their wealth, ability, religion, or status.
What is Human Dignity?
This 1891 encyclical by Pope Leo XIII addressed the treatment of workers during the Industrial Revolution.
What is Rerum Novarum?
Unlike a trophy or a good grade, this type of dignity cannot be earned, lost, or taken away.
What is inherent dignity?
This CST principle teaches that humans have a responsibility to protect the environment and care for the Earth.
What is Care for God's Creation (Stewardship)?
Students peacefully protest cuts to OSAP because they believe lower-income students will struggle to afford postsecondary education. Name one CST principle that supports their action.
The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, Solidarity, or Rights and Responsibilities.
This principle calls us to pay special attention to people who are poor, excluded, or vulnerable.
What is the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable?
This 2015 encyclical by Pope Francis focuses on environmental protection and humanity's responsibility to care for our common home.
What is Laudato Si’?
A society builds this when it creates conditions that allow everyone to flourish, rather than benefiting only a privileged few.
What is the common good?
A company dumps toxic waste into a river to save money. Name one CST principle being violated.
Care for God's Creation; Human Dignity may also apply if people are harmed.
A wealthy country provides food aid to another country but continues to support policies that keep its workers underpaid. Why might this be charity without full solidarity?
It provides immediate help without addressing the unfair systems that cause poverty or standing alongside people to change those systems.
This principle means standing with others, recognizing our shared humanity, and working together for justice.
What is Solidarity?
This 2020 encyclical by Pope Francis criticizes exclusion and indifference and encourages fraternity and social friendship.
What is Fratelli Tutti?
Why does Catholic Social Teaching reject ranking people by wealth, popularity, intelligence, or social status?
Because every person has equal inherent human dignity and worth.
This view treats the Earth as something humans can exploit for their own benefit without considering the consequences.
What is dominion as domination?
An AI company replaces workers with automated systems without warning, retraining, or support. Identify two CST concerns.
The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers, and the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Human Dignity may also apply.
This principle recognizes that people have basic freedoms and needs, but also responsibilities toward others and society.
What are Rights and Responsibilities?
Name one factory condition Pope Leo XIII wanted to change through Rerum Novarum.
Examples: extremely long hours, unsafe conditions, low wages, child labour, or exploitation of workers.
A student demands freedom of speech but uses that freedom to harass classmates. Identify the right and the responsibility that must be balanced.
The right to freedom of speech must be balanced with the responsibility to respect others and avoid harm.
Explain one important difference between dominion as domination and stewardship.
Domination treats creation as something to control or exploit; stewardship sees humans as responsible caretakers of creation.
A city makes public transit affordable, accessible, and available in low-income neighbourhoods so people can reach school, work, and healthcare. Explain how this supports the common good.
It improves access to essential services and creates conditions that benefit the wider community, especially people facing barriers.
This principle focuses on fair wages, safe working conditions, workers' rights, and the belief that work should support human dignity.
What is the Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers?
In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis criticizes this attitude in which people are treated as disposable when they are no longer considered useful or valuable.
What is throwaway culture?
During the Lifeboat activity, why should a person's wealth, job, age, or achievements not automatically determine whether they deserve to survive?
Because human dignity is inherent, not earned. No person's basic worth is greater than another's.
A clothing company pays workers very low wages, forces them to work long hours, and pollutes the surrounding community. Identify three CST principles that could guide changes.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers, Human Dignity, and Care for God's Creation. Other well-explained answers may include the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable.
A factory creates hundreds of jobs but pollutes a river that local families rely on. Explain how two CST principles could conflict in this situation and recommend one responsible solution.
Possible tension: Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers versus Care for God's Creation and Human Dignity. A solution could include pollution controls, safe working conditions, fair wages, and support to prevent unnecessary job losses.