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Sociology 3
The Social Teachings of
the Church
Anatoly Angelo R. Aseneta, M.A. cand.
Instructor, Institute of Religion
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo
Tomas

References

SOCIOLOGY 3
The Social Teachings of
the Church

IIV. OVERVIEW OF OFFICIAL

CST

5.Gaudium et Spes

DeBerri and Hug, et. al. Catholic Social

Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret.
Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003.
Genilo, S.J., Eric Marcelo. Catholic Social
Teachings Class Notes. Loyola School of
Theology, 2013.

Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the

Modern World, Vatican II, 1965

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5.Gaudium et Spes

Context
Difference from previous
social encyclicals: covers
a wide range of issues
that deal with the
relationship of the
Church with the world
and with all aspects of
human life
Feeling of openness

5.Gaudium et Spes
Structure/Major Themes
1.Part I: Christian Anthropology:
human dignity, authentic freedom,
conscience
2.Part II: Marriage and the family,
development of culture, socioeconomic life, political life, peace and
international cooperation

5.Gaudium et Spes
Context
Spoke in humble and
sincere terms to all
peoples
Systematic and
ethical framework for
dealing with world
problems

5.Gaudium et Spes

1. What does it mean to say that the

Church has the duty of reading the
signs of the times?

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5.Gaudium et Spes
Shifts in CST Methodology
1.Employs an inductive approach which
is historically-conscious
2.Decreased reliance on natural law
3.Increased reliance on the Bible and
tools of social sciences
4.Christological emphasis
5.Personalism

5.Gaudium et Spes

5.Gaudium et Spes
The Church admits that it does not
have an answer to every question
but still seeks to guide humanity. (#33)

5.Gaudium et Spes

It recognizes the independence of

earthly affairs but affirms the

dependence of all things on God

(#36)

The Church
admits it is simul

justa et peccatrix
(#44)

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5.Gaudium et Spes

5.Gaudium et Spes

The Church

should learn
from the progress
of science and
richness of
cultures (#44)

5.Gaudium et Spes
Christ did not give the Church a

political, social, or economic

mission but primarily a religious

2. What does it mean when GS says

that the primary mission of the
Church is a religious one?

5.Gaudium et Spes
But the religious mission to serve the
human person can be a source of
commitment to help humanity

one (#42)

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5.Gaudium et Spes

5.Gaudium et Spes

The Church engages the world to

help humanity and not to gain
power. It cooperates and sometimes
challenges the world for the good of

the human person

Direct mission: religious and
spiritual
Indirect mission: mission to society
(politics, economics, etc.)

5.Gaudium et Spes
The actions of the Church are focused
on humanity but are always toward a

union with God

5.GAUDIUM

ET

SPES

The Church has the

right to pass moral
judgment, even on
matters touching the
political order,
whenever basic
rights or the
salvation of souls
make it necessary

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5.Gaudium et Spes
Church is not committed to any
particular socio-economic or political
system (#42)

5.Gaudium et Spes
The Church

cooperates with
these systems
insofar as it is
compatible with its
mission of serving
humanity and

bringing them
closer to God

5.Gaudium et Spes

5.Gaudium et Spes

3. What does GS say about

population and birth control?
Secular duties belong to the laity;
the clergy does not have all the
answers to every problem (#43)

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5.Gaudium et Spes

Marriage and Family

(#48-50)

On Reproduction

and Birth Control:

on planning their
family, parents
must be the ones to
make the final
decision

5.Gaudium et Spes
Conceptual shifts on
marriage and family
1. Marriage = conjugal
covenant, contract
2. Language of primary and
secondary ends of
marriage are avoided
3. More positive treatment
of sexual intercourse

5.Gaudium et Spes
But the parents decision
should be governed by a
formed conscience
guided by Divine Law and
Church teachings.
They must not use
methods that go against
human dignity and are
found blameworthy by
the Church

5.Gaudium et Spes

4. What does the Church teach about

labor unions and strikes in GS?

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5.Gaudium et Spes

5.Gaudium et Spes

Labor Unions

Labor Strikes

5.Gaudium et Spes

5.Gaudium et Spes
Peace and the International
Community (#78-88)

4. What does GS teach about nuclear

war?

Peace absence of
war
Peace
maintenance of
balance of power
between enemies
Peace dictatorship

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5.Gaudium et Spes

Peace = harmony
built into human
society by God and
actualized by
persons who long
for it

5.Gaudium et Spes

5.GAUDIUM

ET

SPES

Peace = continually built-up

Peace = respecting other people and their
dignity and practice of solidarity
Peace = fruit of Love

5.Gaudium et Spes
Participation in
the armed forces
is allowed but
not blind
obedience to
orders.

Non-Violence and Conscientious

Objection are legitimate options

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5.GAUDIUM

ET

SPES

Any act of war aimed at the destruction

of cities/extensive areas along with their
population is a crime against God and
deserves condemnation

5.Gaudium et Spes
Nuclear
Deterrence and
Arms Race is not
the way to peace
and development
Everybody has
the responsibility
for disarmament

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