Details

What do you most want to know about Catholic Social Teaching?

Religion has always wrestled with issues of social order. Both the Old and New Testaments are rich with tales of justice and injustice. Yet religion is often portrayed as a private affair of the heart. This series is about social engagement and the Christian tradition.

With celebrated moral theologian Fr. Tom Massaro as your guide, you'll explore our Church’s special tradition.  Understand the dialogue between religion and society, and today's efforts at an advancing "public church" stance. Gain a deep understanding of the history and application of Catholic Social Teaching (CST).

Some Catholics have become impatient with the way that the church's social teachings are so often overlooked, and how they remain "the best kept secret" of Catholicism. Priests and bishops have been criticized for not adequately preaching a social justice message. What can be done?

Catholic Social Teaching connects faith to the topics that affect us the most in our daily lives. Deeply rooted in thousands of years of tradition and scripture, Catholic Social Teaching serves to teach us more about the world we live in, how to help the people around us and how to better ourselves as Catholics.

With this order you will receive, free of charge, a detailed Electronic Study Guide. With your confirmation email, you will receive a link that will take you to this Electronic Study Guide, which includes outlines for each topic, review questions and suggested readings for further study. The link to access this Electronic Study Guide will also be included on the case of your CDs or DVDs. You are allowed to print up to 7 copies of your guide. Simply click on the link, or type it into your browser, to access the file.

About Your Presenter

Thomas Massaro, S.J. is Dean of Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA. Formerly Professor of Moral Theology at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, he holds a doctorate in Christian social ethics from Emory University and other degrees in philosophy, theology, economics and political science. He has published six books and writes and lectures frequently on topics of social justice and public policy, both in scholarly forums and for general audiences.

Topic Titles

• Religious Contributions to Public Life
• Church and Culture: How to Understand the 'Public Church' Approach
• The History of Catholic Social Teaching
• The Four Major Sources of Catholic Social Teaching
• Three Fundamental Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
• Three Sets of Principles for Social Institutions
• Three Key Areas of Contemporary Concern
• Catholic Social Principles and their Applications
• Catholic Critiques of Capitalism and Socialism
• The Future of Catholic Social Teaching: Four Continuities to Expect
• Two New Challenges: The Environment and Globalization
• Spreading the Word about Catholic Social Teaching