Catholic Social Teaching

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.

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:

Human Dignity

Each of us is made in God’s image. Every person has an innate human dignity no one can take away.
We believe every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. This is a gift that we all share as fellow human beings; we are all infinitely loved by our Creator.

God said, ‘Let us make human-kind in our image, according to our likeness.’ Genesis 1:26

Community & Participation

We live in community with others, growing together. We are called to be active participants in all that we do. We have a responsibility to be inclusive so that we allow all people to participate. Subsidiarity is a principle that means decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level, by the people most affected.

“The workers themselve should decide on the conditions on which their future depends” Gaudium et Spes, 68 When each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love” Ephesians 4:16

Creation and Environment

Stewardship is all about caring for the many gifts that God has given to us. These include our environment, our own talents and other resources. All living things are connected so we must use God’s gifts responsibly to meet the needs of everyone, now and in the future. In the first pages of the Bible we read how God created the sun and the stars, the water and earth, and every creature. We believe Christ is the redeemer of all creation. Everything is interconnected, and all of creation praises God. It is our Christian vocation to care for creation.

‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.’ Genesis 2:15.

Dignity of Workers

Catholic Social Teaching holds that work is dignified and an intrinsic good, and workers must always be respected and valued. The state has also the duty to protect the rights of all its people, and particularly of its weaker members, the workers, women and children. Work must be undertaken responsibly, and labour treated well, this includes how we approach the work we do, what it is we do with our work and how employers treat their employees. The human person should always come before the pursuit of profit. Workers have the right to join trade unions, to a just wage, to spend time with their families and to rest. Work is an essential part of our human dignity and everyone has the right to participate.

'The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ' Timothy 2:6

Option for the Poor

A preferential option for the poor means that we think first about the needs of those who are the most vulnerable. Jesus taught that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick and visit those imprisoned, we are looking after Him. The option for the poor reminds us of God’s preferential love for the poorest and most vulnerable people. God’s love is universal; he does not side with oppressors, but loves the humble.

‘Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.’ Isaiah 1:17

Solidarity & Peace

Being in solidarity is recognising others as our brothers and sisters and actively working for their good. We are connected to people and places all over the world.

Solidarity arises when we remember that we belong to each other. Solidarity spurs us to stand side by side with our sisters and brothers, especially those living in poverty. Peace is a cornerstone of our faith. Christ, the Prince of Peace, sacrificed himself with love on the cross. Today, our troubled world is still in need of peace.

'All of you are one in Christ Jesus.’ Galatians 3:28. Peace is not just the absence of war. It is part of God’s nature, and a value we should all seek to live out in our daily lives. Peace comes from both justice and love and is dependent upon people understanding one another. ‘...those who promote peace have joy.’ Proverbs 12:20

Rights and Responsibilities

Everybody has a fundamental right to life. It is this right that makes all the other rights possible. Everyone has the right to food, health care, housing, education and employment. We all need to strive to secure and respect these rights for others both locally and globally.

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." Proverb 19:17

CST in action at The Palmer Catholic Academy

Redbridge / TELCO Citizens - members since 2016

We at The Palmer Catholic Academy are members of TELCO Citizens (The East London Citizens Organisation), which is the founding Chapter of Citizens UK. Over 50,000 people form our alliance, from schools, universities, churches, mosques, migrant groups and other community organisations.

Our alliances are in Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

Together, we organise to overcome injustice and win change on the things that you and your local communities care about most across the city.

Please check the website for further information on TELCO Citizens -

https://www.citizensuk.org/chapters/east-london/

As an Academy we offered the chance to our Sixth Formers as part of their volunteer work.

Training was offered to those students who were interested by Citizens UK and a joint project called Near Neighbours. This developed over time and we have over the last 4 years been able to offer the students a 4 day training course on leadership, building power and running campaigns.

What carries us within the Academy are our 7 principles of Catholic Social teaching. This helps all us in shaping action when we meet others in our local community from a wide range of backgrounds. We have been present and involved in local assemblies where we get the chance to put “asks” to candidates who are looking for local or London mayoral election.

Click below to hear all about our work with the Brentwood Diocese and Caritas our Sixth Formers have been doing.

https://www.caritasbrentwood.org/news/caritas-dob-collaborates-with-telco-citizens-uk/

“Called to Action”

As a Catholic school in Redbridge Citizens we were invited to attend “Called to Action”. This was a chance to share some reflection and inspiration with the work Catholic schools across the country are doing, living out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching through community organising.

3 members of our Y12 Citizens group attended with Mr Datson to listen to stories about community work going on and to be inspired to continue and build on the work we already do.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster gave an address which spoke about the core values of Catholic Social Teaching and how working with Citizens UK you have the opportunities to be called to action.

One of the students said “it was amazing to be in his company and to hear from him. Gives me an understanding of what we can do.”

‘Trussell’ Charity work

Our Year 12 students take part in the Canon Palmer leadership project. Each year, groups of

students support the work of the charity Trussell - formally known as the Trussell Trust - who run food banks for members in need within the local community.

https://www.trusselltrust.org/

The students lead research on what food banks need, organise the collection of donations in the academy and then deliver the stock to a food bank. They are also collecting money to buy extra items to add to our collections.

Downshall Primary School Intergenerational Provision

Sixth Form students at The Palmer Catholic Academy have teamed up with Downshall Primary school to support their existing project aimed at helping improve the quality of life for participants as well as the social and academic development of pupils. The participants are referred to Downshall by Redbridge Older Adults Mental Health Team and AgeUK and may be suffering from isolation, depression, loneliness or early dementia. They work alongside the pupils in the classroom.

Benefits for the older adults:

Increased social interaction
Greater life satisfaction
Physical activity and engagement
Enhanced emotional well-being
Decreased depression effect
Opportunity for creative expression
Positive impact on individual wellbeing

Common Good and Option for the Poor and Vulnerable - This is reflected in the Charitable events of the Academy

MacMillan Cancer Support - bake sale, donations
Shoebox appeal at Christmas - bake sale in November
Christmas Hampers - donations by students and their families as well as staff
CAFOD Appeal - contributions linked to non-uniform days
Save the Children Christmas Jumper day - donations by students and staff
Remembrance Day - Poppy Appeal for The Royal British Legion - donations
The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) - non-uniform days, bake sales, donations
Your Place (previously known as Caritas Anchor House) - donations by students and their families as well as staff

Peace and Solidarity : The Academy marked Wednesday 22nd November as a Day for Peace.

Each lesson with a prayer from Pope Francis.
PowerPoint shown during registration
CAFOD leadership Team sold white ribbons throughout the day for £1 .
The Chapel was opened all day for pupils and staff to pray and reflect.

Dignity of the Person - Assembly themes including:

Anti Bullying
Black History Month
Drop Down Days -Workshops/ RS3

Care For Creation - Our Laudato Si

Assemblies were delivered in November to launch Laudato si
In February we ran a retreat for Laudato Si where students did group work on the themes of Pope Francis' letter
In February a session of Core RE was also delivered for sixth form (both year groups)
Form classes produced displays and prayers after watching an animated explanation of the encyclical (november)
In November Year 7 were involved in BPs Ultimate STEM challenge where a session was delivered on Laudato Si. Students then produced a pledge tree with their promises on how to improve their environment.
In January Year 8 had a STEM lesson where Laudato Si was one of the sessions
Laudato Si is also focused in at KS4 so during the Year of focus of the encyclical the department were asked to focus more time on the message of Pope Francis.

Links to other resources and organisations

Caritas - The Diocese of Brentwood - https://www.caritasbrentwood.org/

St Vincent de Paul Society - England and Wales https://svp.org.uk/

CAFOD - https://cafod.org.uk/

Citizens - East London https://www.citizensuk.org/chapters/east-london/

Missio - https://missio.org.uk/catholic-social-teaching/#

National Justice and peace Network - https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/

The Trussell Trust - https://www.trusselltrust.org/