Catholic Social Teaching
What would be an example of supporting life and dignity of the human person?
Volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center
How do you form your conscience?
To form our conscience, we must look to the Church. We should look to the Word of God, natural law, revealed law (of God), and Church law.
What is meant by the Fifth Commandment?
The Fifth Commandment means that it is an sin to take an innocent life unjustly.
What is the common good?
The common good is the welfare of the whole community, not just an individual
What are ecclesiastical laws?
Church laws made by Church officials
What would be an example of following the call to family, community and participation?
Intentionally spending time with your family
Distinguish between the two types of sin.
All sin does harm to our relationship with God. Mortal sin is the more serious offense and essentially cuts off (or drastically decreases) the life of grace within us. Examples would include breaking one of the Ten Commandments. Venial sin is not quite as serious as mortal sin. Examples would include not being devoted/disciplined in one's prayer life.
Can war ever be just?
Yes, under these circumstances.
1. A nation must determine if the aggressor will cause definitive serious damage that will last.
2. Other avenues for settling the conflict must be considered and proven not to be effective or practical.
3. The nation must know if there is a real possibility that they will be successful.
4. If a nation does wage war, the attack must not be out of proportion to the evil against which they fight.
Why are we not bound to obey laws that contradict God's laws?
We are not bound to obey laws that contradict God's laws because the state has its authority from God and does not have the right to demand something which violates God's laws.
What are physical laws?
The laws which govern the nature and operation of all material things and natural forces
What would be an example of supporting rights and responsibilities?
Speak up when someone is doing something wrong
What is legalism?
Legalism is forgetting the spirit of the law, and only holding fast to the letter of the law.
Is all killing necessarily wrong? Use the example of self-defense.
Killing is not wrong if a person or nation must defend himself or itself.
Distinguish among excessive nationalism, treason, and patriotism.
Excessive nationalism- Blind to the defects of a nation
Patriotism- deep love for country which prompts us to dedicate ourselves to promoting those things which are good for our country and its citizens
Treason- Betrayal of one's county and essentially a lack of love for country
What are moral laws?
These are laws for human wills. They are made up of laws from God and laws from man.
What would be an example of supporting the dignity and rights of workers?
Paying people an honest day's wage
What are the "spirit" and the "letter" of the law?
The "spirit" of the law is the understanding behind the law and the "letter" of the law is the actual word.
Can Catholics support euthanasia? Why/why not?
No. Humanity is not the author of life; God is. In treating very sick people, there is not a need for extraordinary measures to be taken (like life support) but ordinary necessities of life (like food and water).
How do we exercise stewardship over creation?
We exercise stewardship over creation by caring wisely for the earth and not being wasteful.
What is revealed law?
The law given to us by God in the New and Old Testaments
What would be an example of supporting solidarity?
Join a prayer group made up of diverse people
List three of the precepts of the Catholic Church.
1. Attend Mass on Sundays and all Holy Days of Obligation.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall receive the Eucharist at least once during Easter.
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
5. Provide for the needs of the Church.
6. Follow the Church’s laws on marriage.
What four sins cry out to heaven?
Sodomy, murder, oppression of the poor, and defrauding the laborer of his just wage
They cry out to heaven because they are serious sins that undermine the fundamental order of society, in particular, the family.
Explain the following Bible verse, “So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” - Mark 12:17
We should follow both God and the government (in that order). We should do what we are asked by both entities.
What is natural law?
The basic moral law which God has placed in human nature and which we discover through reason.