Catholic Social Thought in the Pope Francis Era

The theology faculty of Seton Hill University in Greensburg were kind enough to ask me to give the keynote address to their two-year program of integration of Catholic social teaching and thought into the curricula of all departments.  I spoke to 50 professors on Thursday, May 17.  Afterwards a panel of faculty from several disciplines told how they already integrated some CST themes into their classes.  Included in the day-long workshop were teachers of social work, criminal justice, English, math, hard sciences and nursing.  

I was very impressed with the teachers's familiarity with CST themes, and their creativity in integrating them into their classroom presentations.  

Here is the outline of my talk.

1. Opening story -- a bishop disses me for studying social ethics
2. What is Catholic Social Teaching (CST)?    (OT / NT / Jesus Christ / documents / saints and institutions)
3. Brief review of key CST documents   (life & dignity of human person; community & family; rights & responsibilities; option for the poor; right to work & workers' rights; solidarity; peacemaking; care of God's creation)
4. The universality of themes  (human rights / opposition to violence in all religions / religious freedom)
5. Pope Francis, CST gamechanger (from the southern hemisphere / "a church of the poor, for the poor" / teaching with ordinary sermons / power of symbols)
6. Challenges and opportunities to promote CST today (more ecumenical and interfaith cooperation / collaboration between spirituality and social justice advocates / volunteer activities for young people / hermenutical circle and justice triangle)
7. "Don't just do something, think!"
8. "Don't just sit there, do something!"