Catholic Social Teaching Principles November, 1999
The Principle of Participation
Article by Fr. Byron
Lesson Plans
Primary (K-2)
Intermediate (3-5)
Middle School (6-8)
Secondary (9-12)
Facilitator's Guide
Background/Supporting Quotations:
from Mark 12:13-17
"And they sent to him certain of the Pharisees and Herodians, that they might trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, 'Master, we know that you are truthful, and that you care naught for any man; for you do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. It is lawful to give tribute to Caesar; or shall we not give it?' But knowing their craftiness, he said to them, ' why do you test me? Bring me a denarius to look at.' So they brought one. Then he said to them, 'whose are this image and the inscription?' They said to him, 'Caesar's.' and Jesus answered and said to them, 'Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' And they marveled at him."
from Matthew 28:19-20
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world."
from Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions
"We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and the vulnerable." (p. 5)
from Catechism of the Catholic Church
Public authority is obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person and the conditions for the exercise of his freedom. (#2254)
It is the duty of citizens to work with civil authority for building up society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. (#2255)
From The Catholic Northwest Progress, publication of the Archdiocese of Seattle, The Principle of Participation by Rev. William Byron, SJ, 11/4/99.
from the papal encyclical, Mater et Magistra (Mother & Teacher), Pope John XXIII, 1961
There are three stages which should normally be followed in the reduction of social principles into practice.
- First, one reviews the concrete situation;
- Secondly, one forms a judgment on it in the light of these same principles;
- Thirdly, one decides what in the circumstances can and should be done to implement these principles.
These are the three stages that are usually expressed in the three terms: observe, judge, act. (#236)