Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for this world, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice. It is rooted in scripture and is our moral compass in living out our faith in the world. We are called to walk in the footsteps of Christ and bring his love and Gospel to our world. God has a special plan for every single one of us, whoever we are.

Our part in this involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a caring, responsible person. It is a vocation for the common good of everyone. We must treat everyone as our brothers and sisters, it is something that we all share.
The Catholic Church has seven principles of social teaching and we will think about these in school, just like our virtues; through the curriculum, special events, activities and through our ordinary actions in school. During their time at St Anne’s, your child will progress through this programme and will be enriched in and through Catholic Social Teaching.

Children are awarded Catholic Social Teaching Principle certificates each week when a principle is demonstrated by that child.

This is celebrated in phase assemblies. 

What does Catholic Social Teaching look like in our school?

Each half term, St Anne's focus on a Catholic Social Teaching Principle, which are listed below in half term order.

Stewardship of God's Creation is a principle that is focused on all year

Stewardship of God's Creation

The world God has created for us has been entrusted to everyone and we are responsible and accountable to God as stewards of the earth.  The world has been given to us as a gift, to enjoy and care for so that future generations can enjoy it too.  It is in caring for creation that we show our love and respect for its creator.

The ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion…Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. Pope Francis – Laudato Si

 Family and Community

The human person is not only sacred, but social.  How society is organized, be it socially, economically, legally or politically has a direct impact on the dignity and growth of every human person and community.  Marriage and family should be supported and strengthened.  Every person has a right to work to support themselves and their families as well as the building up of the common good for all.

“You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person.  You are handing over to them what is theirs.” St Ambrose (340-397 AD)

Dignity of the Human Person

Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God.  Therefore, every person’s life and dignity must be respected and supported from conception until the end of their natural life on earth.

St Paul tells us that each person is a work of art, created by God and chosen for a unique purpose. Ephesians 2:10

Rights and Responsibilities

Every person has a fundamental right to life.  It is this right that makes all 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.

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right- Psalm 106:3

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Society is judged on how it cares for the poor and vulnerable – our brothers and sisters.  We read in scripture how God has a special concern for the oppressed, poor, vulnerable and those forced to the margins of society.  The Church calls us to respond to the cry of the poor and put their needs first.  This preferential treatment for the poor and vulnerable must be seen in action in our daily lives.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-40

Dignity of Work

Work is a way in which we can continue to participate in God’s creation.  Work gives dignity to life and must be carried out in such a way that the basic rights of workers are respected.  Everyone has the right to productive work, to fair and liveable wages, and to organize and join a union.  The economy must be conducted so that it serves the needs of the people.

Solidarity and the Common Good

We are all People of God, one family.  Therefore what happens to one has an impact on all, locally, nationally and globally.  At the heart of solidarity is the pursuit of peace and justice.  Our love for all calls us to work for a peaceful and just society where everyone has a fair share of the goods needed for a sustainable life, and opportunities for growth and development are offered equally.  The dignity of every person is respected.

Blessed Pope Paul VI taught that “If you want peace, work for justice”. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers.