Catholic Social Ethics

This course traces major themes in Catholic social teachings by using the USCCB
document: “Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions.” The topics
suggested by the USCCB are: Life and Dignity of the Human Person, Call to Family,
Community and Participation, Rights and Responsibilities, Option for the Poor
and Vulnerable, Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers, Solidarity, and Ecology.
Your Instructor: J. Brian Benestad, Ph.D. is Professor of Theology and Director of
the Catholic Studies Program at the University of Scranton. He received his Ph.D.
from Boston College, and an S.T.L. from the Gregorian University in Rome. Professor
Benestad is an expert on Catholic Social Doctrine, and testified before the
House Labor Relations Committee General Assembly of Pennsylvania on the topic
of unions in Catholic social doctrine. He is the author of many articles and several
books, among them Church, State, and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine

 12 30-minute lectures

1.  Introduction

2. The Dignity of the Human Person

3. The Meaning of the Common Good I

4. The Meaning of the Common Good II

5. Seeking the Common Good through Virtue and Grace

6. Justice and Social Justice

7. The Dependence of the Common Good on Public Policy

8. Human Rights and Natural Law

9. Catholic Social Teaching, the Life Questions, and Bioethics

10. Just War Principles

11. The Role of the Clergy and the Laity

12. Liberal Education and Education to Justice