Catholic
Social
Teaching
and the
Franciscan Life
How is Catholic Social Teaching
related to our work for justice,
peace, and integrity of creation?
Catholic Social Teaching:
“a rich treasure of wisdom
about building a just society
and living lives of holiness
amidst the challenges of modern society.”
USCCB
What does it teach?
• It challenges us to live the Gospel in our
relationships with one another in family,
community and the world.
Where does it come from?
• From scripture
• From the teachings of the popes and
bishops
• From the evolving understanding of how
we are called to live in community.
What is it?
• There is no one list of teachings, like there
is for the Ten Commandments.
• Our U.S. bishops have listed 7 principles.
Here’s where it all begins:
The life and
dignity of the
human person
We are created in the
image of God. All life
is sacred and valued.
When he
embraced the
leper and
kissed him, he
found himself
clothed in
Christ’s love,
incarnate in the
least of his
brothers.
From our Rule, article 13:
• As the Father sees in every person the
features of his Son, the firstborn of many
brothers and sisters, so the Secular
Franciscans with a gentle and courteous
spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord
and an image of Christ.
This first basic principle unites Catholics.
• Respect for life from conception
till natural death
• Concern for the poor and for workers
• Religious freedoms
• Capital punishment
• Immigration reform
• Stem cell research
• Ethics of reproduction, artificial life support
• Concern for the environment
• Work for peace
Catholic Social Teaching is a work in progress…
…here’s where it all begins:
The life and
dignity of the
human person
We are created in the
image of God. All life
is sacred and valued.
Call to Family, Community
and Participation
We need
each other!
Franciscan Gospel living is not an individual
spirituality or value system nor just a personal
piety; it is a communal experience – with its
support and accountability – to live Jesus in
today’s world… Community for a Franciscan is
that center of faith and commitment where a
person can invest his or her heart
in the hearts of others
in order to grow and become fully mature with
the fullness of Christ.
Fully Mature in Christ
Formation lesson 1
It starts in the family…
Secular Franciscans consider their
own family to be the first place
in which to live their
Christian commitment
and Franciscan vocation.
(Insert YOUR family)
Franciscans in community
Fraternity
Region
National
International
and in the world…
• You are called to give your own contribution,
inspired by the person and message of St.
Francis of Assisi, in speeding up the advent of a
civilization in which the dignity of the human
person, co-responsibility and love will be a living
reality….Commit yourselves firmly against all
forms of exploitation, discrimination, and
marginalization and against all attitudes of
indifference towards others.
•
John Paul II – address to the OFS 10th General Chapter, Nov. 22, 2002
From Gospel to life and life to the Gospel:
→ Franciscan values → Family
→ Fraternity → Parish and
community → Church →
Gospel
World → Gospel
Rights and Responsibilities
• All people have basic rights.
• All people have the basic responsibility to
respect others’ rights and to work actively
and live for the common good.
From our rule, articles 14 and 15
• Let them exercise their responsibilities
completely in the Christian spirit of service.
• Let them individually and collectively be in
the forefront in promoting justice by the
testimony of their human lives and their
courageous initiatives.
Justice, Peace and Integrity of
Creation Mission Statement
Assist the Professed Secular Franciscans as
they reflect on their relationship with God as
manifested in the fruits of conversion in their
lives. This with special regard to the daily
choices made in the areas of justice,
peace making and respect for all created
things and people; as brothers and sisters
of penance, bringing life to the Gospel and
the Gospel to Life.
Option for the Poor and
Vulnerable
• We need to care
for those in need.
Article 13, Secular Franciscan Rule:
“A sense of community
will make them joyful and
ready to place themselves
on an equal basis with all people,
especially with the lowly
for whom they shall strive
to create conditions of life
worthy of people redeemed by Christ.”
The Dignity of Work
and Rights of Workers
• People have a right to work with dignity.
Franciscan Rule, Article 16
Let them esteem work both
as a gift and as a sharing in
the creation, redemption,
and service of the human
community.
Solidarity
We are one
human family.
We need to
work for peace
and justice
globally
Francis
reached
out to the
sultan in
an effort to
make peace
with the
Muslims
and assure
access to the
Holy Land for
Christians.
From the rule, # 14
Secular Franciscans, together with all
people of good will, are called to build a
more fraternal and evangelical world so
that the kingdom of God may be brought
about more effectively.
Franciscans International
is a non-governmental organization
that voices concerns at the United Nations,
with and on behalf of the most vulnerable,
about justice, poverty and the planet.
Current Issues on their website:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Climate justice
Consistent ethic of life
Human trafficking
Immigration
Money in politics
Peacemaking
Care for
Creation
We must respect
and take care of
our Earth,
preserving it for
future generations.
• Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your
creatures…
St. Francis Canticle of the Creatures
Care for the Earth…
…a way to engage the
younger generation.
The
Franciscan
way of life
is LIVING
Catholic Social Teaching