Catholic Social Teaching refers to the political, social and economic issues in the world today – and our rection and action linked to these matters, in light of the faith we hold.
Catholic Social Teaching calls us all to work for the common good, help build a just society, uphold the dignity of human life and work for justice and the dignity of all our brothers and sisters, especially those in greatest need. Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.
Rooted in Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world. It offers a set of principles to help us think about how we should interact with others. It forms the foundation of the choices we make and how we view creation – guiding us on how we live out our faith in our local, national and global communities.
At St Francis, we use Catholic Social Teaching to draw from scripture, from the example of Jesus, to create in us a need to ‘do something’ – and the ‘something we do’ is how we reflect and live out our faith in an overt and proactive way.
The CST principles which inspire our work:
For more information about Catholic Social Teaching please visit: https://cafod.org.uk/pray/catholic-social-teaching
At St Francis, these CST principles thread through our curriculum, aiming to foster empathetic, proactive and just citizens, connecting our faith with real-world issues.
Through the curriculum, children learn to understand and live out CST in their actions, both locally and globally.
Catholic Social Teaching in Action
During Lent, a pupil supported a charity Easter egg donation drive for a local SEND school, showing solidarity and a commitment to human dignity through organising and delivering gifts to pupils who are more vulnerable.
Children made Christmas cards at school and delivered them to the local community, promoting the common good and showing love and respect for others through simple acts of kindness and connection.
During Active Travel Month, children biked, walked, and scootered to school, caring for creation and promoting the common good through healthier choices that reduce pollution and help protect our shared world.
Visiting a local care home helps our children develop compassion, respect, and a strong sense of social responsibility as they build friendships across generations and see how small acts of kindness can strengthen their community.
Meeting up with our friends from English Martyrs in Oakham at a Chaplaincy Teams event, building solidarity and community, as pupils strengthened friendships, shared faith, and supported one another as part of the wider Church family.
