Teologia morale sociale RA0605

General Objectives: To introduce students of theology to the foundations, concepts, principles and values of Catholic social doctrine. To equip them to critically evaluate events in contemporary society. To use the rich resources of the Church’s social doctrine in their ministry in the world.

Course Outlines: God’s plan of love for humanity. The Church’s mission and social doctrine. History of the social doctrine of the Church. Foundational principles and values of the Church’s social doctrine. Social reality: The family, work, economic life, political community, international community, safeguarding the environment. promotion of peace. social doctrine and pastoral activity.

Bibliography: Bastianel, Sergio. Morality in Social Life. Miami: Convivium Press, 2010; Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd Edition. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 1994; Coulter, Michael, Richard Myers, and Joseph Varacalli. Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Science and Social Policy. 3 vols. Lanham: The Scarecrow Press, 2012; Finnis, John. Aquinas: Moral, Political, and Legal Theory. Oxford: OUP, 2004; Francis, Laudato Si’: Encyclical Letter on the Care for our Common Home. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 2015; Gatti, Guido. Morale sociale e della vita fisica. Turin: Elledici, 1996; Himes, Kenneth, ed. Modern Catholic Social Teaching: Commentaries & Interpretations. Washington: Georgetown University Press, 2005; Himes, Kenneth. Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching. New York: Paulist Press, 2001; Kusumalayam, John. Human Rights. Individual or/and Group Rights? Mumbai: St. Paul’s, 2008; McCarthy, David Matzko. The Heart of Catholic Social Teaching: Its Origins and Contemporary Significance. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing House, 2009; McKenna, E. Kevin. A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2002; Niebuhr, Reinhold. Moral Man and Immoral Society. 3rd Edition. New York: Continuum, 2005; O’Brien, David, and Thomas A. Shannon, eds. Catholic Social Thought: Encyclicals and Documents from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis. 3rd Edition. New York: Orbis Books, 2016; Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Washington: USCCB Publishing, 2006; Schlag, Martin, ed. Handbook of Catholic Social Teaching: A Guide for Christians in the World Today. Washington: CUA Press, 2017; Thompson, J. Milburn. Introducing Catholic Social Thought. New York: Orbis Books, 2010; Walsh, Michael, and Brian Davies, eds. Proclaiming Justice and Peace: Documents from John XXIII to John Paul II. Bangalore: TPI, 1985.

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students are expected to identify and explain the intrinsic link between God’s liberating intervention and the social mission of the Church; to recall and outline the history of the development of the social doctrine of the Church; to explain in depth the principles of: the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity; to describe the essential values of: truth, freedom, justice and love; to critically evaluate the contemporary events (social, economic, political, and ecological) in the light of the foundational principles and values of the Church’s social doctrine; to identify ways to apply and teach the social doctrine of the Church in their pastoral ministry.