catholic social teaching, interfaith dialogue and catholic charities

Question 1

catholic social teaching

Answer 1

• heart of CST is human dignity
• believe humans were created in image and likeness of god, each life is sacred
• peace and reconciliation at heart of gospel
• CST condemns the arms trade and supports those who refuse to take up arms on ground of conscience
• CST also means caring for the common good and inspires interfaith dialogue and catholic charities
  Gaudiem et Spes: “All men possess a rational soul and are created in God’s likeness”

Question 2

interfaith dialogue

Answer 2

• catholics believe they have a duty to out across the gospel message
• believe non-christian religions have some truth, but only christianity has the whole truth
• other religions should be respected
• all people created in image of god
• Popes have spoken out about the importance of respect and tolerance between different faiths
• Vatican II council stressed the importance of dialogue with Jews and Muslims

Question 3

CAFOD: Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

Answer 3

• started by Catholic bishops of England and Wales 1961. promotes long term development so that less developed countries can support themselves
• CAFOD has a disaster fund to help natural disasters and refugees
• emergency aid might mean sending food, medicines and shelters to victims of a disaster or sending blankets and food to war refugees
• 5% of CAFOD’s budget is spent on educating the people and churches of England and Wales about the need for development and the ways in which Catholics can help less developed countries
• CAFOD works for social justice challenging unfairness and tries to bring an end to poverty

Question 4

SVP: Saint Vincent de Paul society

Answer 4

• an organisation of catholics who try to help those in need in the UK
• activities included helping the lonely or bereaved and the housebound. visits to individuals and families, to the sick at home or in hospitals and hospices, to residential homes and to offenders’ institutions. visiting housebound elderly to prevent them from feeling isolated. organise children’s camps for children from poor or troubled homes, and holiday schemes to provide break for family careers, to give poor families a holiday or break
• fundraising in schools with groups such as the mini-Vinnies