At St Vincent’s, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a cornerstone of our educational ethos and daily life. Guided by the words of our mission, “Brother, sister, let me be your servant. Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant too,” CST shapes our commitment to building a compassionate, just, and faith-filled community. We strive to embed these values across all areas of school life, encouraging our children to express their faith through acts of service and love.

Catholic Social Teaching highlights the inherent dignity of every person, the significance of community and participation, and our shared responsibility to care for creation. These foundational principles are integrated into our curriculum and daily routines, helping students develop a strong sense of justice, empathy, and stewardship. Through lessons, service projects, and school-wide initiatives, we empower our children to engage with real-world challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental care.

At St Vincent’s, we bring CST to life through meaningful action. Our pupils take part in activities that support both local and global communities, deepening their understanding of others’ needs and inspiring them to become compassionate leaders of positive change.

Within our classrooms, thoughtful discussions and reflections on CST allow students to connect their faith to current social issues. By exploring topics like human dignity, social justice, and ecological responsibility, our children grow in faith and awareness, learning how to live out Gospel values in everyday life.

Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and inspired by our mission, St Vincent’s is a community where all are valued, every voice matters, and each action reflects Christ’s love in the world.

What are the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching?

  1. Dignity of the Human Person
    • Every human being is created in the image of God and deserves respect and protection. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
  2. Common Good and Community
    • The common good refers to the social conditions that allow people to reach their full human potential and realize their dignity. This principle emphasizes the importance of community and the need to work for the well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
  3. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
    • Society is judged by how well it treats its most vulnerable members. This principle calls for a preferential option for the poor, ensuring that their needs are prioritized and their voices are heard.
  4. Rights and Responsibilities
    • Human dignity can be protected, and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected, and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and those things required for human decency.
  5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity
    • The state has a positive moral function; it is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. The principle of subsidiarity emphasizes that decisions should be made at the most local level possible, as long as they can be effectively addressed.
  6. Economic Justice
    • The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Workers have the right to productive work, fair wages, and safe working conditions. The right to organize and join unions is respected, and private property is understood within the context of the universal destination of goods.
  7. Stewardship of Creation
    • We are called to protect the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. Environmental stewardship is a fundamental moral and ethical issue.
  8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
    • Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among human beings.
  9. Participation
    • All people have a right and duty to participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society. It is essential for human dignity and the development of the human community.