<\/p>\n
The Role of Laity in Catholic Social Teaching <\/span><\/span>(Part 4 of 4)<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
The Bottom Line<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/eucharist-cropped.jpg\")
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The Role of Laity in Catholic social teaching is Rooted in Faith and a Properly Formed Conscience<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Role of Laity Starts with a Properly Formed Conscience<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Implementing Catholic social teaching results in confusion and error<\/strong> if our consciences are <\/strong>improperly formed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis often occurs when we separate our Christian faith from its ethical requirements \u201cand thus fall into moral subjectivism and certain objectionable ways of acting.\u201d (Evangelium Vitae, 95)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe must remember that \u201cit is always from the truth<\/strong> that the dignity of conscience derives<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn the case of the correct conscience, it is a question of the objective truth received by man; in the case of the erroneous conscience, it is a question of what man, mistakenly, subjectively considers to be true.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe approval of the prevailing wisdom<\/strong>\u2026is<\/strong> not<\/strong> the criterion<\/strong> to which we submit.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nObjective Truth<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
So, if we find our self in opposition to Church moral teaching on issues (of life or logical extensions of Her social teaching), validation of our position by \u2018conscience\u2019 cannot be the end of our internal debate but only the beginning!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThere are faults which we fail to see but which nevertheless remain faults, because we have refused to walk towards the light.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \u201cConscience, as the ultimate concrete judgment, compromises its dignity when it is culpably erroneous. (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen this happens \"man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good, and conscience gradually becomes almost blind<\/strong> from being accustomed to sin<\/strong>.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\"Only in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity is to Apply Catholic Social Teaching<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Once we have internalized Catholic social teaching, forming our conscience on its tenets, we must<\/strong>, by duty, actively engage in the secular world<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHow? Pope Benedict XVI provided the answer when he wrote: \u201cBut what does it mean, in practical terms, to promote moral truth in the world of politics and diplomacy?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- It means acting in a responsible way on the basis of an objective<\/strong> and integral knowledge of the facts<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- It means deconstructing political ideologies<\/strong> which end up supplanting truth and human dignity in order to promote pseudo-values under the pretext of peace, development and human rights.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- It means fostering an unswerving commitment<\/strong> to base positive law on the principles of the natural law<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All this is necessary and consistent with the respect for the dignity and worth of the human person enshrined by the world\u2019s peoples in the 1945 Charter of the United Nations<\/em>, which presents universal values and moral principles as a point of reference for the norms, institutions and systems governing coexistence on the national and international levels.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nFaith First<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Acting in the world, can never be separated from faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, acting in society first requires belief<\/strong>, acceptance and the integration of God in all facets of our life\u2026it requires personal conversion<\/strong>: \u201cAdhering to the values of Christianity is not merely useful but essential<\/strong> for building a good society and for true integral human development.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201c[T]o respond to their vocation, the lay faithful must see their daily activities as an occasion to join themselves to God<\/strong>, fulfill his will, serve other people and lead them to communion with God in Christ\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cOnly in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Need for God Above All Else<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes, \u201cthe human person must work, must involve himself in domestic and professional concerns, to be sure, but he has need of God before all else\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy? Because He \"is the interior light of love and truth. Without love, <\/strong>even the most important activities lose value<\/strong> and do not bring joy.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Without a profound meaning, everything we do is reduced<\/strong> to sterile and disordered activism.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCourage is Needed<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"[T]he courage to contradict the prevailing mindset<\/strong> is particularly urgent\u201d even though \u201cinevitably, we will<\/strong> also be beaten<\/strong> by those who live lives opposed to the Gospel\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, armed with our faith and closeness to God, we can and must \u201cchange the world\u201d -- while always remembering when doing so that \u201cwe are not provocative; on the contrary we invite all to enter into the joy of that truth which shows us the way\u2026Our criterion is the Lord himself. If we defend his cause, we will constantly gain others to the way of the Gospel.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cChristians must always have this attitude of meekness, humility\u2026trusting in Jesus and entrusting themselves to Jesus.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is the Church\u2019s Role in Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 1<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 2<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 3<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPart 1<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The Role of Laity in Catholic social teaching is Rooted in Faith and a Properly Formed Conscience<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Role of Laity Starts with a Properly Formed Conscience<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Implementing Catholic social teaching results in confusion and error<\/strong> if our consciences are <\/strong>improperly formed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis often occurs when we separate our Christian faith from its ethical requirements \u201cand thus fall into moral subjectivism and certain objectionable ways of acting.\u201d (Evangelium Vitae, 95)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe must remember that \u201cit is always from the truth<\/strong> that the dignity of conscience derives<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn the case of the correct conscience, it is a question of the objective truth received by man; in the case of the erroneous conscience, it is a question of what man, mistakenly, subjectively considers to be true.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe approval of the prevailing wisdom<\/strong>\u2026is<\/strong> not<\/strong> the criterion<\/strong> to which we submit.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nObjective Truth<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
So, if we find our self in opposition to Church moral teaching on issues (of life or logical extensions of Her social teaching), validation of our position by \u2018conscience\u2019 cannot be the end of our internal debate but only the beginning!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThere are faults which we fail to see but which nevertheless remain faults, because we have refused to walk towards the light.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \u201cConscience, as the ultimate concrete judgment, compromises its dignity when it is culpably erroneous. (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen this happens \"man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good, and conscience gradually becomes almost blind<\/strong> from being accustomed to sin<\/strong>.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\"Only in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity is to Apply Catholic Social Teaching<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Once we have internalized Catholic social teaching, forming our conscience on its tenets, we must<\/strong>, by duty, actively engage in the secular world<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHow? Pope Benedict XVI provided the answer when he wrote: \u201cBut what does it mean, in practical terms, to promote moral truth in the world of politics and diplomacy?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- It means acting in a responsible way on the basis of an objective<\/strong> and integral knowledge of the facts<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- It means deconstructing political ideologies<\/strong> which end up supplanting truth and human dignity in order to promote pseudo-values under the pretext of peace, development and human rights.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- It means fostering an unswerving commitment<\/strong> to base positive law on the principles of the natural law<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All this is necessary and consistent with the respect for the dignity and worth of the human person enshrined by the world\u2019s peoples in the 1945 Charter of the United Nations<\/em>, which presents universal values and moral principles as a point of reference for the norms, institutions and systems governing coexistence on the national and international levels.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nFaith First<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Acting in the world, can never be separated from faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, acting in society first requires belief<\/strong>, acceptance and the integration of God in all facets of our life\u2026it requires personal conversion<\/strong>: \u201cAdhering to the values of Christianity is not merely useful but essential<\/strong> for building a good society and for true integral human development.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201c[T]o respond to their vocation, the lay faithful must see their daily activities as an occasion to join themselves to God<\/strong>, fulfill his will, serve other people and lead them to communion with God in Christ\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cOnly in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Need for God Above All Else<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes, \u201cthe human person must work, must involve himself in domestic and professional concerns, to be sure, but he has need of God before all else\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy? Because He \"is the interior light of love and truth. Without love, <\/strong>even the most important activities lose value<\/strong> and do not bring joy.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Without a profound meaning, everything we do is reduced<\/strong> to sterile and disordered activism.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCourage is Needed<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"[T]he courage to contradict the prevailing mindset<\/strong> is particularly urgent\u201d even though \u201cinevitably, we will<\/strong> also be beaten<\/strong> by those who live lives opposed to the Gospel\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, armed with our faith and closeness to God, we can and must \u201cchange the world\u201d -- while always remembering when doing so that \u201cwe are not provocative; on the contrary we invite all to enter into the joy of that truth which shows us the way\u2026Our criterion is the Lord himself. If we defend his cause, we will constantly gain others to the way of the Gospel.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cChristians must always have this attitude of meekness, humility\u2026trusting in Jesus and entrusting themselves to Jesus.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is the Church\u2019s Role in Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 1<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 2<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 3<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPart 1<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
The Role of Laity in Catholic social teaching is Rooted in Faith and a Properly Formed Conscience<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Role of Laity Starts with a Properly Formed Conscience<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Implementing Catholic social teaching results in confusion and error<\/strong> if our consciences are <\/strong>improperly formed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis often occurs when we separate our Christian faith from its ethical requirements \u201cand thus fall into moral subjectivism and certain objectionable ways of acting.\u201d (Evangelium Vitae, 95)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe must remember that \u201cit is always from the truth<\/strong> that the dignity of conscience derives<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn the case of the correct conscience, it is a question of the objective truth received by man; in the case of the erroneous conscience, it is a question of what man, mistakenly, subjectively considers to be true.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe approval of the prevailing wisdom<\/strong>\u2026is<\/strong> not<\/strong> the criterion<\/strong> to which we submit.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nObjective Truth<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
So, if we find our self in opposition to Church moral teaching on issues (of life or logical extensions of Her social teaching), validation of our position by \u2018conscience\u2019 cannot be the end of our internal debate but only the beginning!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThere are faults which we fail to see but which nevertheless remain faults, because we have refused to walk towards the light.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \u201cConscience, as the ultimate concrete judgment, compromises its dignity when it is culpably erroneous. (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen this happens \"man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good, and conscience gradually becomes almost blind<\/strong> from being accustomed to sin<\/strong>.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\"Only in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity is to Apply Catholic Social Teaching<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Once we have internalized Catholic social teaching, forming our conscience on its tenets, we must<\/strong>, by duty, actively engage in the secular world<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHow? Pope Benedict XVI provided the answer when he wrote: \u201cBut what does it mean, in practical terms, to promote moral truth in the world of politics and diplomacy?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- It means acting in a responsible way on the basis of an objective<\/strong> and integral knowledge of the facts<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- It means deconstructing political ideologies<\/strong> which end up supplanting truth and human dignity in order to promote pseudo-values under the pretext of peace, development and human rights.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- It means fostering an unswerving commitment<\/strong> to base positive law on the principles of the natural law<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All this is necessary and consistent with the respect for the dignity and worth of the human person enshrined by the world\u2019s peoples in the 1945 Charter of the United Nations<\/em>, which presents universal values and moral principles as a point of reference for the norms, institutions and systems governing coexistence on the national and international levels.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nFaith First<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Acting in the world, can never be separated from faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, acting in society first requires belief<\/strong>, acceptance and the integration of God in all facets of our life\u2026it requires personal conversion<\/strong>: \u201cAdhering to the values of Christianity is not merely useful but essential<\/strong> for building a good society and for true integral human development.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201c[T]o respond to their vocation, the lay faithful must see their daily activities as an occasion to join themselves to God<\/strong>, fulfill his will, serve other people and lead them to communion with God in Christ\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cOnly in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Need for God Above All Else<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes, \u201cthe human person must work, must involve himself in domestic and professional concerns, to be sure, but he has need of God before all else\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy? Because He \"is the interior light of love and truth. Without love, <\/strong>even the most important activities lose value<\/strong> and do not bring joy.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Without a profound meaning, everything we do is reduced<\/strong> to sterile and disordered activism.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCourage is Needed<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"[T]he courage to contradict the prevailing mindset<\/strong> is particularly urgent\u201d even though \u201cinevitably, we will<\/strong> also be beaten<\/strong> by those who live lives opposed to the Gospel\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, armed with our faith and closeness to God, we can and must \u201cchange the world\u201d -- while always remembering when doing so that \u201cwe are not provocative; on the contrary we invite all to enter into the joy of that truth which shows us the way\u2026Our criterion is the Lord himself. If we defend his cause, we will constantly gain others to the way of the Gospel.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cChristians must always have this attitude of meekness, humility\u2026trusting in Jesus and entrusting themselves to Jesus.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is the Church\u2019s Role in Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 1<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 2<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of Laity in CST Part 3<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPart 1<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
Implementing Catholic social teaching results in confusion and error<\/strong> if our consciences are <\/strong>improperly formed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
This often occurs when we separate our Christian faith from its ethical requirements \u201cand thus fall into moral subjectivism and certain objectionable ways of acting.\u201d (Evangelium Vitae, 95)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must remember that \u201cit is always from the truth<\/strong> that the dignity of conscience derives<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the case of the correct conscience, it is a question of the objective truth received by man; in the case of the erroneous conscience, it is a question of what man, mistakenly, subjectively considers to be true.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe approval of the prevailing wisdom<\/strong>\u2026is<\/strong> not<\/strong> the criterion<\/strong> to which we submit.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are faults which we fail to see but which nevertheless remain faults, because we have refused to walk towards the light.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, \u201cConscience, as the ultimate concrete judgment, compromises its dignity when it is culpably erroneous. (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When this happens \"man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good, and conscience gradually becomes almost blind<\/strong> from being accustomed to sin<\/strong>.\u201d (Veritatis Splendor, 63)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"Only in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/p>\n How? Pope Benedict XVI provided the answer when he wrote: \u201cBut what does it mean, in practical terms, to promote moral truth in the world of politics and diplomacy?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n All this is necessary and consistent with the respect for the dignity and worth of the human person enshrined by the world\u2019s peoples in the 1945 Charter of the United Nations<\/em>, which presents universal values and moral principles as a point of reference for the norms, institutions and systems governing coexistence on the national and international levels.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In fact, acting in society first requires belief<\/strong>, acceptance and the integration of God in all facets of our life\u2026it requires personal conversion<\/strong>: \u201cAdhering to the values of Christianity is not merely useful but essential<\/strong> for building a good society and for true integral human development.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201c[T]o respond to their vocation, the lay faithful must see their daily activities as an occasion to join themselves to God<\/strong>, fulfill his will, serve other people and lead them to communion with God in Christ\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOnly in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.\u201d (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Why? Because He \"is the interior light of love and truth. Without love, <\/strong>even the most important activities lose value<\/strong> and do not bring joy.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"Without a profound meaning, everything we do is reduced<\/strong> to sterile and disordered activism.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span> However, armed with our faith and closeness to God, we can and must \u201cchange the world\u201d -- while always remembering when doing so that \u201cwe are not provocative; on the contrary we invite all to enter into the joy of that truth which shows us the way\u2026Our criterion is the Lord himself. If we defend his cause, we will constantly gain others to the way of the Gospel.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cChristians must always have this attitude of meekness, humility\u2026trusting in Jesus and entrusting themselves to Jesus.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is the Church\u2019s Role in Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Role of Laity in CST Part 1<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Role of Laity in CST Part 2<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Role of Laity in CST Part 3<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>Objective Truth<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
So, if we find our self in opposition to Church moral teaching on issues (of life or logical extensions of Her social teaching), validation of our position by \u2018conscience\u2019 cannot be the end of our internal debate but only the beginning!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Role of Laity is to Apply Catholic Social Teaching<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Once we have internalized Catholic social teaching, forming our conscience on its tenets, we must<\/strong>, by duty, actively engage in the secular world<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Faith First<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Acting in the world, can never be separated from faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Need for God Above All Else<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes, \u201cthe human person must work, must involve himself in domestic and professional concerns, to be sure, but he has need of God before all else\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCourage is Needed<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"[T]he courage to contradict the prevailing mindset<\/strong> is particularly urgent\u201d even though \u201cinevitably, we will<\/strong> also be beaten<\/strong> by those who live lives opposed to the Gospel\". (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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