Social Doctrine of the Church with an emphasis on Political Science
The course delivered by Tonio Fenech B.A. (Hons) Accountancy, FIA, CPA, Malta’s former Minister for Finance, the Economy and Investment for the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in partnership with the Renovação Carismática Católica do Brasil, through is Faith and Politics Secretariat, is being donated to the Archdiocese of Malta for its exclusive use through Catholic Voices Malta and with the permission of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.
The objective of this series of talks is to support the formation of Christians laity seeking to interact critically in society, especially in the political sphere, from a Catholic Social Teachings perspective.
The course analyses the Genesis, Development, Thematic in the Church history, discusses the big social issues from today’s perspective and offers a solid background that enables a the participant to view the emerging social and political challenges of today from a Catholic perspective.
The course identifies the values that need to underly the social debate, such as human dignity, the common good, the universal destination of good and the preferential option for the poor and the consequences and responsibilities different social actors in society should carry.
The course seeks to contribute to the formation of Christian leaderships for public positions, in the field of politics, public service, social partners, civil society NGOs and other institutions and associations. The course can also be an enabling tool to improve Christians political practice in the exercise of citizenship and the work for common good.
Since the course was delivered for an international audience, the sessions are delivered in English.
The Sessions, each around 30 minutes, are divided as follows:
1. Notions of the Economy and Market Theory
2. The Social Teachings of the Church
3. Subsidiarity and the role of Government
4. Politics and Economic Life – part 1
5. Politics and Economic Life – part 2
6. The Business Economy
7. The Global Economy
8. Property, Resources and Environment
Sessions Breakdown
1. Notions of the Economy and Market Theory
What is the Economy
The Liberal / Capitalist economic philosophy
The Marxist economic philosophy
The Catholic economic philosophy
Suggested Readings
Rerum Novarum, Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Capital and Labour, 1891
Quadragesimo Anno, Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on Reconstruction of the Social Order, 1931
Centesimus Annus, Encyclical of John Paul II on the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum, 1991
2. The Social Teachings of the Church
The basis of Catholic Social Teaching
Human Dignity
The Common Good
Poverty and Social exclusion the preferential option for the poor
The Universal destination of goods
Suggested Readings
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church from Chapter 1 to 4
Gaudium et spes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Second Vatican Council from: Part 1: The Church and Man's Calling Economic and Social Life from para. 63-72
Evangelii Gaudium Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, 2013 “Some challenges of today’s world” from 52 to 60.
3. Subsidiarity and Role of Government
Forms of Governance
The Fundamental Values of Social Life
The Principle of Subsidiarity
The Role of the State
Participation & Democracy
The Principle of Solidarity
Relationship of Church and State
Suggested Readings:
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - Chapter 8
Libertatis Conscientia, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Christian Freedom and Liberation. 1987
Encyclical Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII, Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty, 1963
Other optional readings
Encyclical Immortale Dei Pope Leo XIII, Church-State relations,1885.
Encyclical Au Milieu des Sollicitudes, Pope Leo XIII, Church and State in France, 1892.
Encyclical Non Abbiamo Bisogno, Pope Pius XI 1931, Protesting the totalitarian fascist regime in Italy.
Encyclical Mit Brennender Sorge, Pope Pius XI 1937, The Catholic Church under the German Reich.
4. Politics and Economic Life Part 1
The Modern Role of the State
Economic Policy and its Goals
The Economy and Morality
The Free Market
Suggested Readings:
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - Chapter 7 Economic Life
Encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II, 1981, on Human Work
5. Politics and Economic Life Part 2
Fiscal Policy
Taxation
Public Expenditure
Nationalisation vs Privatisation
Public Debt
Monitory Policy
Suggested Readings:
Mater et Magistra, Pope John XXIII, 1961 on Christianity and Social Progress
6. The Business Economy
Microeconomics
Financial Markets
Social Enterprise
Rights of Workers
Suggested Readings:
Covered in previous sessions
7. The Global Economy
Global Inequalities
Development and Solidarity
Financial Markets
Suggested Readings:
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - Chapter 9
Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Dicastery For Promoting Integral Human Development 2018
8. Property, Resources and Environment
Private Property
National Resources
Environment and Sustainability
Suggested Readings:
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - Chapter 10
Laudate Si, Pope Francis 2015, On the care for our Common Home