Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is deeply rooted in Scripture, shaped by the wisdom of Church leaders, and inspired by the actions of people working for justice. It serves as a moral guide, helping us to live out our faith in the world.

Our faith calls us to love God and our neighbours, with a special concern for those who are vulnerable or facing hardship. Following Christ’s example, we strive to bring God’s justice, love, and peace into a world that is often marked by inequality and suffering.

Modern Catholic Social Teaching began with Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891, and since then, the Church has continued to build upon this foundation. Pope Francis has contributed significantly to CST through encyclicals such as Laudato Si’ (2015), which calls us to care for our common home, and Fratelli Tutti (2020), which speaks of fraternity and social friendship.

At St. Dominic, we embrace the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to guide our actions and response to both local and global issues. While different organisations may emphasise various aspects of CST, the core themes remain the same. We follow the Caritas Rooted in Love principles, recognising that our work for justice often reflects multiple principles at once.

Catholic Social Teaching Assemblies

To help us put our call into action of making the world the best possible place it can be, and as God intended it to be when He gave it to mankind as a gift, we often revisit the 6 Caritas themes of Catholic Social Teaching. In some of our assemblies we spend time reflecting on Sunday's Gospel or issues that are arising in the world and discuss, contemplate and pray for guidance on identifying how CST can enable us to understand the outward show or action of our Catholic faith that will impact on many aspects of our life and, in turn, lead us to making an impact on the world so it can be as God intended it to be.

 Autumn 1 - Care of Creation

The earth and everything in it is a gift from God, entrusted to us for the good of all. However, its resources are not unlimited—they have been given not only to us but also to future generations. The way we care for the earth today has lasting consequences for people both now and in the years to come. Too often, short-term gain has led to the destruction of our natural world.

Pope Francis, in a General Audience in May 2014, spoke about this responsibility, saying that harming creation is like telling God, "I don’t like it." Instead, we are called to be stewards—custodians of the earth—who cherish and nurture God’s gift rather than deplete or destroy it. True care for creation is an act of gratitude, acknowledging the beauty and generosity of God’s work.

At St. Dominic, we help children understand what it means to be a good steward of creation. In Autumn One, we introduce them to the idea that caring for our world is a way of living out our faith. They learn that our actions—big or small—impact people across the globe and will shape the future for generations to come. Through reflection and practical steps, we encourage them to recognise their role in protecting our common home as a sign of love for God and others.

Autumn 2 - Preferential Option for the Poor

The Church teaches that we have a special duty to support, walk alongside, and share with those experiencing poverty. Pope Francis' well-known desire for “a poor Church for the poor” reflects the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the preferential option for the poor.

This principle goes beyond charitable giving. While acts of generosity—both by the Church as an institution and by individuals—are vital, our response to poverty must also be rooted in listening, understanding, and standing in solidarity. It is not enough to assume we know what people need; we must listen to their voices, share in their struggles, and ensure their concerns are heard. Being a voice for the voiceless means advocating for justice while empowering those who experience poverty to speak for themselves.

At St. Dominic, we encourage our community to live out this principle by fostering empathy, awareness, and action. Through our learning and outreach, we help children recognise their responsibility to care for others, understanding that true Christian love is demonstrated through both compassion and justice.

Spring 1 - Solidarity and Peace 

Solidarity is a word that is often used but not always fully understood. Yet, it is central to how we treat one another. If we truly believe that every person is our sister or brother, made in God’s image and likeness, then we cannot ignore our responsibility to seek the good of others.

St. John Paul II challenged us to move beyond sympathy, reminding us that solidarity is not just about feeling sorry for those who suffer—it is a commitment to action. “We are all really responsible for all.” This responsibility knows no boundaries. No matter where we are, how old we are, or what our circumstances may be, we are called to care for one another—both near and far.

At St. Dominic, we help our students recognise that their actions, big or small, have an impact locally and globally. From the way we treat people in our daily lives to the choices we make as consumers, everything reflects our commitment to Caritas—love in action. Through learning, reflection, and practical steps, we encourage children to live out this call to solidarity in a meaningful way.

Spring 2 - Community and Participation

As human beings, we are created to live in community—to grow, support one another, and flourish together. But being part of a community is more than just belonging; it requires action.

At World Youth Day in 2013, Pope Francis urged us: “Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.” We are called to be active participants in society, both locally and globally. This means recognising the dignity of every person, offering support where it is needed, and using our gifts and talents to serve the wider community.

We cannot simply stand by and complain about the state of the world. Instead, we must step forward, get involved, and help build a more just and compassionate society. At St. Dominic, we encourage our students to live out their faith through action—whether within our school, parish, or the wider world. By understanding their role in shaping a fair and caring community, they learn that love is not just a feeling but something we put into practice every day.

Summer 1 - Dignity of Workers

The Church has always upheld the right of every person to work, recognising that work is about more than just earning a living. It provides a means to support oneself and one’s family, but it also offers a sense of purpose, fulfilment, and a place within society.

Work must be fair and just. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity in the workplace, paid a fair wage, and given the conditions needed to carry out their work properly. This is why the Church supports movements such as the Living Wage and Fair Trade, which promote fairness and justice in employment.

At St. Dominic, we introduce children to the concept of dignity in work, helping them understand that respect and fairness should be present in all workplaces, across all industries and sectors. There is no minimum wage or status that determines whether someone deserves dignity—every worker, in every role, should be valued. Through this learning, we encourage students to reflect on fairness in the world of work and the responsibility we all share in upholding the dignity of others.

Summer 2 - Human Dignity

The dignity of every human person is at the heart of the Church’s teaching on social justice. The Church reminds us that we are all lovingly made in God’s image and likeness, and that we are all brothers and sisters to one another.

Truly believing in this principle means first recognising our own worth—we are created by God, we are loved, and we are valuable. This can be difficult to accept at times, but it is a fundamental truth. From this understanding comes an even greater responsibility: if we are made in God’s image, so is every person we encounter—our family, friends, neighbours, strangers, and even those we will never meet. They, too, deserve respect, fairness, and dignity.

This belief is the foundation of all Catholic Social Teaching. At St. Dominic, we encourage students to embrace their own God-given dignity and to recognise it in others. By doing so, they learn how to live out the Gospel in today’s world, treating every person with the love and respect that their dignity demands.

Catholic Social Teaching in Action 2024-2025

Coming soon...