Compendium Of The Social Doctrine Of The Church
The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church is a document written in 2004 by Cardinal Martino , President of the Pontifical Council for (Vatican instance of high-level Roman Catholic Church).
Addressed to Catholics and women and men of good will, there is an effort - so far unprecedented - to collect, articulate, put into perspective the social doctrine of the Church Roman Catholic.
Summary |
Recipients
The Compendium is addressed:
- bishops, priests, teachers of the Church, and the laity of the Church
- but also to "all men and women of goodwill who strive to serve the common good"
- with the hope "that they want to welcome him as the result of a universal human experience ... "
The official text - very full, so quite long - can be found online on the Vatican website (see External Links below).
According to the Vatican, the document could be used "to objectively analyze situations, the light illuminating the words of the Gospel, and to draw principles of reflection, judging criteria and guidelines for action". ( 11 op cit)
Object Text
This text deals with the social teaching of the Church is trying to answer multiple questions:
- the degree of consistency notions sheltered under the guise of the term is often used: Social Doctrine of the Church (FSD);
- the content and articulation of these concepts within the overall teaching of the Church;
- on the form may be useful to spread this special teaching.
Indeed, the absence of an explicit and official status, significance and meaning to be given to the expression ranged between poles separate and somewhat contradictory:
- for some, (eg see the reflection of Father Marie-Dominique Chenu , op), FSD has no consistency, and can limit must not be;
- for others, FSD is a solid body of doctrine, which must be spread as such.
Cardinal Martino's response on this point seems to bring an intermediate response and prudent:
- in form, the document is a compendium ;
- on the merits "must be duly taken into account that the passage of time and changing social contexts require constant thoughts and updates on the various topics discussed here, to interpret the new signs of the times." ( 9 op cit)
According to the author (Cardinal Martino), the object of the document is:
- to present a summary, but comprehensive social teaching of the Church;
- support and encourage Christian action in the social world, especially the lay faithful is the specific environment;
- to expose the "readers of good will" the motivation to intervene with the Church doctrine in the social field, which at first sight does not seem to fall within its jurisdiction;
- also exhibit at all the reasons for encounter, dialogue, cooperation to serve the common good.
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