Catholic Social Thought (CST) includes the body of official social teachings of the Catholic Church as well as a wider body of thought and practice related to economic, social, and political life. Much of CST has been explicitly addressed not only to Catholics, but to people of all faiths and none, as it addresses issues of our common sociality and our common political structures.
In this module we will introduce official documents (Catholic Social Teaching) as well as other sources, thinkers, social movements and practical action (wider Catholic social thought and praxis), focusing on the development of CST as well as its key principles.
Throughout, you will be encouraged to connect this body of thought and its key themes to praxis in particular contexts, depending upon the focus of your MA (e.g. chaplaincy, pastoral care, education or a particular ethical issue).
Sessions will include a mixture of lecture, seminar discussion, and student presentations. Distance learning and asynchronous resources will be accessed through Hedwig, the Cambridge Theological Federation’s online platform. Synchronous sessions will be accessed via Zoom.
Part 1 – Summer term:
Tuesday evenings – 9 May – 6 June 2023.
4:30 – 6.30 pm
Studying the sources of Catholic Social Thought (biblical, patristic & medieval authorities), Church documents culminating in Vatican II.
Part 2 – Autumn term:
Tuesday evenings – 3 – 17 October and 7 – 14 November 2023
4.30 pm – 6.30 pm.
Contemporary 20th & 21st century principles of Catholic Social Thought and their applications to social and political justice (eg. human and animal rights, preferential option for the poor, eco-theology, education and chaplaincy).
Course leader: Dr Frances Image