Social Action & Justice
What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
Catholics believe that each and every person is made in the image and likeness of God. People are entrusted with the rights and duties to uphold this belief and protect others and creation. Catholics also believe that all people have the freedoms and responsibility that underpin these rights and duties.
Themes of Catholic social teaching
Ten themes of Social Justice give expression to the human worth and dignity of each individual made in the image and likeness of God. These are:
The Religious Life of the School P-12 identifies three elements of social action and justice; justice in the school community; action for justice; and reflection on action for justice.
Justice in the school community
The school practises justice within its own community through policies, structures and practices that are consistent with the themes of Catholic social teaching. Respect for the dignity of the human person underlies Catholic social justice themes.
Action for justice
The Christian vocation entails action for justice, peace and ecological stewardship. This is based on the dream of Jesus to establish the Kingdom of God. School communities act for justice when they demonstrate a commitment to the poor and marginalised, actively work for peace and practise stewardship of the earth.
Reflection on action for justice
Christian action for justice requires critical reflection and prayerful discernment in the light of the gospel and Catholic social teaching. School communities consciously plan for and implement these reflective elements into their justice initiatives through an action-reflection process.
Themes of Catholic social teaching
Ten themes of Social Justice give expression to the human worth and dignity of each individual made in the image and likeness of God. These are:
- Respect for the human person;
- Preferential option for the poor;
- Political and economic rights;
- Promotion of the common good;
- Subsidiarity;
- Political participation;
- Economic justice;
- Stewardship;
- Global solidarity;
- Promotion of peace.
The Religious Life of the School P-12 identifies three elements of social action and justice; justice in the school community; action for justice; and reflection on action for justice.
Justice in the school community
The school practises justice within its own community through policies, structures and practices that are consistent with the themes of Catholic social teaching. Respect for the dignity of the human person underlies Catholic social justice themes.
Action for justice
The Christian vocation entails action for justice, peace and ecological stewardship. This is based on the dream of Jesus to establish the Kingdom of God. School communities act for justice when they demonstrate a commitment to the poor and marginalised, actively work for peace and practise stewardship of the earth.
Reflection on action for justice
Christian action for justice requires critical reflection and prayerful discernment in the light of the gospel and Catholic social teaching. School communities consciously plan for and implement these reflective elements into their justice initiatives through an action-reflection process.