Companion to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of by Padraig Corkery

Foreword 7

Introduction 10

Pt. 1 Why Social Teaching? 15

Ch. 1 Why social teaching? The Church's self-understanding 17

Pt. 2 Solid Foundations: The Christian world-view 35

Ch. 2 Creation as a gift to all of humanity from a loving God 39

Ch. 3 The Human Person 44

I Christian anthropology 44

II The significance of work 54

Pt. 3 The Basic Tools for a Critical Evaluation of the Social, Political and Economic Spheres 67

Ch. 4 Catholic social teaching: Central principles 69

I The universal destination of the world's goods 69

II The common good of society and humanity 73

III The principle of subsidiarity 74

IV The importance of participation 76

V The principle and virtue of solidarity 77

VI The fundamental values of social life: Truth, freedom, justice and love 79

Pt. 4 The Application of the Principles of Catholic Social Doctrine to the Economic, Political and Social Spheres 85

Ch. 5 Economic life 87

Ch. 6 Political life 94

Ch. 7 The reality of global conflict and the challenge of peace 101

Pt. 5 The Church's Social Doctrine and Irish Society 109

Ch. 8 The Irish context: Challenges and opportunities 111

General Index 123