“The social doctrine of the Church: The Magna Charta of Charity.”

(Prof. Jose Vidamor Yu, Manila)

The Church has the mission to pursue moral judgments on issues concerning the political, social, cultural and economic dimensions of society. Social doctrines became the guides and the purview of the papal encyclicals since the 19^th century until today. The emergence of the industrial age ushered new structures in the society which have to do with the production of consumer goods, new forms of labor and proprietorship, the rise of the secular state with its problems and therefore, the challenge for a just society.

Human Dignity

The Church is always concerned with man’s spiritual values. As the world advances, characterized by human successes through the development of human mind and talents, there is also a “growing discovery and affirmation” of one’s rights and dignity (cf GS 41) The Church has to become a steward of God’s creation and his created society. In virtue of the Gospel entrusted to it, the Church proclaims the rights of man. (cf GS 41)

Leo XIII opposed the atheistic philosophy of communism of his time but recognized its appeal to workers. He observed the exploitation and the poverty among many of the working class and the concomitant concentration of privilege and wealth in the hands of a few. His encyclical “Rerum Novarum” sought to promote the dignity of the human person, basic economic and political rights, the right to private property, the right of labor over capital, and the right to associations for the common good. The Church becomes an instrument of charity as the modern industrial age began to shape the world.

Solidarity

Man lives in community and builds the future in common. Man’s existence is always understood within the framework of a society. He is a social being, owing his growth and full development within culture and his family. “Man must meet man, nation must meet nation, as brothers and sisters, as children of God.” (PP 43) Thus, Paul VI spoke of solidarity as “the aid that the richer nations must give to developing nations.” (PP 44) Populorum Progressio emphasizes the Church’s concern about the widening gap between the rich and the poor. It is the Church’s preferential option for the poor that makes her committed to promote the principle of solidarity.

Subsidiarity

Charity is manifested through the respect of one’s right to independence. A society exists with organizations and associations whether influential or not. As a rule of social organization, the principle of subsidiarity affirms the right of individuals and social groups to make their own decisions and accomplish what they can by their own initiative and industry without the inference of higher level groups. Quadragesimo Anno measures economic development in terms of subsidiarity. “For every social activity ought of its very nature to furnish help to the members of the body social, and never destroy and absorb them.” (QA 79)

Common Good

The Church is committed to promote the principles concerning the common good. Every human person must contribute and have the right to share in it. It is through the common good that man realizes that his personal rights are safeguarded and promoted. As civil authorities know that the attainment of the common good is the sole reason for their existence (cf MM 54), it should likewise be understood that the common good is also something which affects the needs of the whole man, body and soul. (cf MM 57) Governments exist for the common good. They have to ensure the participation of all human beings in building their common destiny.