Foundations of Christian Social Teaching

Christian Notion of Society

The Christian notion of society exists as a universal duty of respect for human nature and the discovery of natural law.

• Desire for God: This is written in the human heart; only in God will mankind find the truth and happiness they constantly search for.
• Mankind is called to communion with God.
• Mankind exists because God created them with love and through love.

Dimensions of Society

Horizontal Dimension

The horizontal dimension refers to society as an aggregation of people formed by the birth of individuals from different entities. Society must be analyzed through this lens of human connection.

Vertical Dimension

The vertical dimension is a structure of elements of power and society. Each country has its own unique structure with different hierarchies.

Core Concepts of Society

• Political Community: This is essential and exists at the service of Civil Society.
• Civil Society: This is the sum of all relationships and resources within a community.
• Society is essential to the fulfillment of the human vocation.
• The State: It must provide an adequate legal framework for social subjects to engage freely in different activities; however, the State must also be ready to intervene when necessary, while always respecting the principle of subsidiarity.

Christian Values and Principles

Principle of the Common Good

• Defends the natural presence of each element in society.
• The good shared by all involves practicing solidarity and helping each other.
• It can be understood as a social and community dimension of the moral good.
• It involves all members of society with no exemptions from cooperation for anyone.
• This principle requires the assumption of great responsibility.

Principle of Solidarity

• We are all responsible for helping others.
• This involves protecting and caring for the weakest people in our society.

Principle of Subsidiarity

• Establishes criteria to balance both dimensions of society.
• Governments should not intervene in problems that can be resolved by families.
• However, the State has a role of guidance and protection at the service of the family.
• The denial of subsidiarity limits and destroys freedom and initiative.
• To practice subsidiarity, there should be an effective form of respect and promotion for the family and the individual.