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Catholic Social Teaching: ‘a hidden taonga’

Rose Miller

WelCom October 2024

Rev Dr Jenny Dawson 

I have been a regular reader of WelCom for the last 20 years so am sharing these thoughts with a readership who is important to me. I go to Mass, in various Catholic churches, at least once a month. I have many Catholic friends including my husband. 

I am Anglican, of the ‘high’ variety: for us, who see ourselves as both Catholic and Reformed, our practice and theology embraces the Real Presence, daily eucharist where possible, deep reverence for Mary and all the saints, ecclesiology that is both local and universal, and I have a profound gratitude for the ecumenical steps taken in my lifetime. 

However, I frequently wonder why the Catholic Church, as I experience it, seems to hide one of its greatest taonga: Catholic Social Teaching. Apart from occasional references to Laudato si’– which was quoted this morning in my local Anglican church – I have almost never heard the wonderful principles of Catholic Social Teaching referred to in a homily, nor do parishes that I frequent seem to offer opportunities to find out. 

Why is this such a well-kept secret?

In an age when we of Christian faith are all concerned about evangelisation and when most thinking people are wrestling with issues around climate change, work, diversity – essentially matters of human dignity and the common good – why is Catholic Social Teaching not promoted much more than it currently is? 

You don’t have to be a Catholic to find a great deal of sense and wisdom in documents such as Rerum Novarum, Pacem in Terris, Deus Caritas Est Querida Amazonia, and of Laudato si’. 

I long for more of this on the very good Facebook page Catholic Enquiry New Zealand and in the reports publicising various Archdiocesan groups. 

For Christians who are not Catholic the coherence and challenge of these documents is precious, but for people who have yet to discover a Christian faith maybe reading such content could lead them to the God who embraces all people with unimaginable love.

Of course I am aware of the excellent work done by Caritas, but this is promoted largely in-house, within parishes and dioceses, and perhaps its impact is for many limited to Social Justice Week. 

As a member of the faith stream in the Living Wage Movement, I was proud to have our work included in the Caritas Social Justice Week projects a few years ago, when I took several opportunities to tell other Living Wage people what the Catholics were and the teaching that leads to the Church’s commitment. 

 I am longing to hear more about the inspiring and attractive teaching behind the great work Caritas does, an opportunity that is there every time the Word is broken open. I believe Catholic Social Teaching has something to say to a hungry world that is looking for meaning. 

Homilists, there really is a treasure here that is being ignored.

Rev Dr Jenny Dawson is an Anglican priest who resides in Pukerua Bay, but is shortly to return to Christchurch. Educated at Canterbury and Otago Universities, she was Archdeacon of Kāpiti 2008 to 2011, then a Regional Chaplain to the Bishop of Waiapu until returning to Wellington in 2015. She is an Ignatian spiritual director and retreat giver.

Catholic Social Teaching 

Catholic Social Teaching is a body of thought, developed by the Church, that stands as a foundation for moral integrity and social justice reflecting Gospel values of love, peace, justice, compassion, reconciliation, service and community in the context of modern social problems.

It is continually developed through observation, analysis and action, and is there to guide us in the responses we make to the social problems of our ever-changing world.

At its core, Catholic Social Teaching is a set of principles that uphold the dignity of every human person, promote the common good, and advocate for justice and peace. These principles, derived from Scripture, theological reflection, and the wisdom of Church leaders – particularly over the last one hundred years – offer timeless insights into building a more just and compassionate society.

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and the Catholic Enquiry Centre offer considerable information on their websites about Catholic Social Teaching and leadership.

 The following CST principles are listed on the NZCBC website with expanded information.

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Please visit the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ website at tinyurl.com/NZCBC-CST and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand at caritas.org.nz for more information about Catholic Social Teaching, its principles and its many formative social Encyclicals (papal letters) from the last 100 years. 

Sources: NZCBC; Caritas

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