Witness Society

Catholic Social
Teachings
John Calvin Aclan Belle Antoni Galimba
principal investigator photographic researcher
THE RESEARCH TEAM
Michelle Galedo Niño Louis Japos Cuarto

photographic researcher assistant researcher
What is
Catholic Social Teaching?
It’s a body of moral and social principles derived from the teachings of the
Catholic Church. It encompasses a wide range of issues related to human dignity,
social justice, and the common good.
Catholic social teaching is rooted in scripture and tradition, and it provides
guidance on how individuals and societies should act in order to promote a just
and compassionate society.
There are ten principles that are applied to various aspects of social life, such as
economics, politics, labor, human rights, peace, and the environment. Catholic
social teaching serves as a moral framework for Catholics and other individuals
to promote social justice and work towards improving society.
10 Principles of
Catholic Social Teaching
1. Dignity of the Human Person
The foundation of all Catholic Social Teaching is the inherent dignity of the human
person, as created in the image and likeness of God. The Church, therefore, calls for
Integral Human Development, which concerns the wellbeing of each person in every
dimension: economic, political, social, ecological, and spiritual.
2. Common Good
We must all consider the good of others, and the good of the whole human family,
in organizing our society—economically, politically, and legally. Human Dignity can only
be realized and protected through our relationship with society at large. We must love
our neighbor, locally and globally, and prioritize the good of the human family over
commercial interests.
3. Solidarity
Each of us is part of the human family and we are all interconnected and interdependent.
Loving our neighbor has global dimensions. We must see ourselves in others
and collaborate towards solutions. Solidarity is a recognition that we are “all in this
together,” and is a commitment to strengthen community and promote a just society.
4. Preferential Option for the Poor
The moral test of any society is based on how the most vulnerable are treated. God’s
love is universal, so this principle does not mean that we should focus on the poor
to the exclusion of others, but rather that we are called to prioritize those who are in
most need of our Solidarity.
5. Stewardship of Creation
The Earth is sacred. Creation has its own intrinsic value. We have a responsibility
to protect and to cherish the Earth’s ecological diversity, beauty and life-sustaining
properties. Together, we must hold it in trust for future generations.
6. Subsidiarity & the Role of Government

The state is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and
develop the common good. Subsidiarity holds that such functions of government
should be performed at the lowest level possible, as long as they can be performed
adequately. When they cannot, higher levels of government must intervene. This
principle goes hand-in-hand with Participation, the principle that all peoples have a
right to participate in the economic, political and cultural life of society, and in the
decisions that affect their community.
7. Participation
Human beings are social, and how we live together affects the dignity of the individual
and the progress of society. All persons are entitled to participate in community, and
in decisions that affect their lives, and cannot be excluded for any reason.
8. Rights & Responsibilities

We all have a right to those things which are required by Human Dignity. Rights arise
from what we need to live as God intended us to. These are innately linked with our
responsibility to ensure the rights of others—that we do not take more than is needed
to fulfill our rights at the expense of another’s.
9. Economic Justice
The economy must serve people, and not the other way around. All persons have a
right to dignified work, and to fair wages and working conditions. Work is more than
a way to make a living: it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.
10. Peace
To be in right relationship with God and with each other. Peace is the fruit of Charity
and the consequence of Justice. It is the sign of caritas in action.
Violations Against
The
Catholic Social
Teachings
Violation Against the Principle: Stewardship of
Creation, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable and
Solidarity
Illegal Logging violates the principle of Stewardship of Creation in Catholic teaching because it
involves the irresponsible and unsustainable use of natural resources, which goes against the
responsibility to care for and protect God's creation. It also violates the principle of Option for the
Poor and Vulnerable because it often occurs in marginalized communities, depriving them of their
resources and exacerbating their poverty. Additionally, illegal logging undermines solidarity as it
negatively impacts not only local communities but also global efforts to promote environmental
sustainability and combat climate change.
Violations Against the Principle:

Solidarity, Common Good, and
Stewardship of Creation
Overmining goes against the Catholic teaching principle of stewardship of creation because it
disregards the responsibility to care for and protect the Earth's resources for future generations. It also
goes against the principle of solidarity because overmining disproportionately affects vulnerable
communities and exacerbates social and economic inequalities. Lastly, overmining undermines the
principle of the common good by depleting natural resources and causing environmental degradation,
thus compromising the overall well-being of society.
Violation Against the Principle: Stewardship of
Creation, Solidarity , and Dignity of Human Person
Improper Garbage Disposal is a violation against the Catholic teaching principles because it
undermines the dignity of a human person. When waste is improperly disposed of, it can lead to
environmental pollution and health hazards, negatively impacting the lives and well-being of
individuals. This goes against the inherent dignity and worth of every person, as they deserve a clean
and safe environment to live in.
Improper garbage disposal also goes against the principle of solidarity, as it disregards the
interconnectedness of all people. When waste is not properly managed, it can harm not only the
immediate surroundings but also communities and ecosystems downstream and downstream. This lack
of solidarity disrupts the balance and common good that should be upheld.
Additionally, improper garbage disposal undermines the principle of stewardship of creation. As

custodians of the Earth, Catholics are called to care for and protect the environment. Dismissing the
proper disposal of garbage shows a lack of responsibility and reverence for the creation that God has
entrusted to humans.
Overall, improper garbage disposal violates Catholic teaching principles as it disregards the dignity of
human beings, fractures solidarity, and neglects the stewardship of creation that Catholics are called to
uphold.
Violation Against the Principle: Preferential Option
for the Poor, Solidarity , Subsidiary and role of
government and Dignity of Human Person
Beggars sleeping on the streets is a violation against the Catholic teaching of Preferential Option for
the Poor, as they are among the most vulnerable in society and deserve special attention and care. It is
also a violation of the principle of Solidarity, as it neglects the responsibility of society as a whole to
support and uplift those in need. Additionally, this situation reflects a failure of the government's role
in providing adequate housing and support for its citizens, thereby violating the principle of
Subsidiarity. Lastly, it goes against the inherent Dignity of the Human Person by denying them a basic
human right to shelter, safety, and dignity.
Violation Against the Principle: Dignity of the

Human Person, Common Good, Solidarity,
Preferential Option for the Poor, and Peace
Racism and Prejudice are violations against the Catholic teaching principle of the Dignity of the
Human Person because they deny the inherent worth and equal dignity of every individual, regardless
of their race or ethnicity. They go against the principle of the Common Good by creating divisions and
inequalities within society, hindering the well-being and flourishing of all members. Racism and
prejudice also contradict the principles of Solidarity and Preferential Option for the Poor by
promoting an attitude of exclusion and discrimination, rather than fostering a sense of unity and
solidarity with all people, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable. Additionally, racism and
prejudice hinder the establishment of true peace by perpetuating conflict, injustice, and division
among different racial and ethnic groups.
THE END OF RESEARCH ON
THE HUMAN VIOLATIONS
OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL
TEACHINGS

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Catholic Social

THE RESEARCH TEAM

Michelle Galedo Niño Louis Japos Cuarto

6. Subsidiarity & the Role of Government

8. Rights & Responsibilities

Violations Against the Principle:

Additionally, improper garbage disposal undermines the principle of stewardship of creation. As

Violation Against the Principle: Dignity of the

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