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Aklan Catholic College

Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes St.
5600 Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines
Tel. Nos.: (036)268-4152; 268-9171
Fax No.: (036)268-4010
Website: http://www.acc.edu.ph
E-mail Add: [email protected]

ACC Flexible Learning System

Learning Module

The Magisterium and the Social Teachings of the Church

Module no.: 2 of 2
FL Design: CorreL (Correspondence Learning)

Course Code & Title: Rel Ed 2b -- The Magisterium and the Social Teachings of the Church

Course Description: The course provides the students the vast treasury of the Catholic Church’s social
teachings as articulated and elucidated by the Church’s Magisterium. It will discuss the various teachings of
the Church on social issues (like dignity of the person, the fundamental human rights, poverty, etc.) thereby
forming in the students a moral conscience on how to deal with such issues. The course also presents the
Church’s reflections on the different pressing social issues at varying epochs and circumstances and how
the Church takes particular action to these issues based on her teachings. The Church does not give
specific solutions nor the ultimate means to approach a social problem. Rather, she sets the moral
guidelines for action so that any attempt or endeavor on any social predicament reflects the Christian
principles and values taught by our Lord Jesus. It is the aim of this course that students, upon careful
investigation and reflective understanding, may not only grasp the contents of the Church’s Social Teaching
but also form in them a constant longing for the objective truth of the Christian faith that enlightens, leads
and lends any social crisis a viable solution that speaks of the gospel values of the Kingdom of God.

Outcomes: At the end of the course the learner should have:

1. Expressed gratitude and love to God for his continuous presence through the Magisterium.
2. Recognized the worth of Social Doctrine of the Church as a great help in understanding the
society.

3. Realized his/her dignity as an individual in the society.

4. Developed an understanding of the rights that is vested to an individual.

5. Understood the true meaning and value of the Man and the Society.

6. Established a good relationship among the members of the family.

7. Developed appreciation to the role of the State in the life of every individual.

8. Realized the role and the help of the Church in one’s life especially in his path of salvation.

Introduction to the Module

This is Module 2 of 2 of the course Religious Education 2b - The Magisterium and the Social
Teachings of the Church. This learner module is developed for the flexible learning program of
Aklan Catholic College and programmed to run for half a semester. This module tackles the
second four outcomes of the course:

1. Understood the true meaning and value of the Man and the Society.

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2. Established a good relationship among the members of the family.

3. Developed appreciation to the role of the State in the life of every individual.

4. Realized the role and the help of the Church in one’s life especially in his path of salvation.

This module will tackle the Man and the Society, The Family, State and the Church. The man and the
society will be tackled together for their close connection. While the rest of the topics will be discussed
individually for it has a broader part.
This module is primarily used at home and it takes advantage of task-based approach to
learning and self-paced learning. Success of learning would essentially depend on the
collaboration between you and your instructor and your commitment to self-directed learning.

How to use this Module

Below is a learning program or sample learning cycle prepared by the module developer to
help you navigate your way through the module works. You are highly encouraged to follow the
program to increase the success rate in using the module.

It is very important that every time you begin work on your module you begin with a prayer for
guidance, openness, clarity of mind, and wisdom. At the end of each module work, say a prayer of
gratitude, guidance, and passion to put into good use what you have learned. See the prayer page
for the prayers we say before and after each learning session.

As this module comes with reading materials and a dual flash drive containing learning media,
you should study thoroughly all the required readings and other media cited in the concept notes.
All readings and media written in bold in the concept notes can be found in the dual flash drive. If
you have any issues in accessing the content of the dual flash drive, please contact your instructor
right away.

You are also encouraged to study supplementary materials provided in the dual flash drive. It
is wise that you review first the outline of the module and the guide questions in each lesson to get
an overview of the module. This will help you create a focus to facilitate answering the quizzes and
written test and performing the activities and the task in each lesson.

It is recommended that you complete two lessons a day so that you can have ample time to
prepare for the written test and for the task performance.

Sample Learning Plan

To keep you on track of your learning task, you can create a plan or program of your home-
based learning. Creating a routine of learning task will help you create a focus that is essential for
your success in this learning modality.

The table below is a sample of a personal learning plan. You are encouraged to use the same
template or create one that work better for you. It is also important to coordinate the schedule with
your instructor and your assigned peer.

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Module 1- Week 1
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Course Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Rel Ed 2b  Opening prayer  Opening prayer

8:00-11:00  Study all  Study all

materials materials
 Answer quizzes  Answer quizzes
 Perform activities  Perform activities
 Work with peer  Work with peer
 Write reflection  Write reflection

 Closing prayer  Closing prayer

 Opening prayer  Opening prayer

GSTS
 Study all materials  Study all materials
9:00-12:00  Answer quizzes  Answer quizzes
 Perform activities  Perform activities
 Work with peer  Work with peer
 Write reflection  Write reflection

 Closing prayer  Closing prayer

GMathMod  Opening prayer  Opening prayer

1:00-4:00  Study all  Study all

materials materials
 Answer quizzes  Answer quizzes
 Perform activities  Perform
 Work with peer activities
 Write reflection  Work with peer
 Write reflection
 Closing prayer
 Closing prayer

For activities that require writing, write legibly as this helps a lot on how you successfully get
your ideas across. You can write in extra sheets of paper if necessary. If available, you can
process your responses on Microsoft office and print or store soft copy in the dual flash drive. Extra
sheets of paper should be inserted between the pages where the activity can be found. Don’t forget
to label these extra sheets or soft copies with your name and the title of the activity.

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Make sure to take all the quizzes and written test and to perform each activity with care and
diligence. Some activities may be performed individually while some activities may require
collaboration with your peer.

For collaborative activities, called Peer work in this module, your instructor will provide the
name and mobile number of the students with whom you will collaborate. The Peer work is one of
the most essential feature of this module and will mean a lot for learning to succeed as we
recognized that you can learn better if you share insights and perspectives with another. The peer
work may be done through phone calls or text messaging. If better channels are accessible at the
time of the activity such as chat or forum, make use of better channel. If connecting with your
designated peer through the most basic means is impossible, try your best to solicit ideas from
members of your household on the questions, statements, or instructions contained in the peer
work.

Once you have completed this module, place this module and all required outputs for the week
in the learning packet to prepare them for collection. Make sure to recheck your submissions
especially soft copies that you have stored in the dual flash drive. If you are having any trouble in
storing the files into your dual flash drive, please contact your instructor right away.
Course Requirements

1. Peer work
2. Reflection
3. Quizzes (10%)
4. Activities (20%)
5. Written Test (20%)
6. Task Performance (50%)
7.

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Table of Contents

Lesson 1 – Understanding the True Meaning and value of Man and the Society
Intended Learning Outcomes …………………………………………………………
6
General Instructions …………………………………………………………
6
Guide Questions
………………………………………………………… 6
Concept Notes …………………………………………………………
6
Instructions for supplementary
materials …………………………………………………………
8
References …………………………………………………………
8

Lesson 2 – Establishing a Good Relationship among the Members of the Family

Intended Learning Outcomes …………………………………………………………
9
General Instructions …………………………………………………………
9
Guide Questions
………………………………………………………… 9
Concept Notes …………………………………………………………
9
Instructions for supplementary
materials …………………………………………………………
10 References …………………………………………………………
10

Lesson 3 – Developing appreciation to the Role of the State in the Life of Every Individual
Intended Learning Outcomes …………………………………………………………
11

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General Instructions …………………………………………………………

11
Guide Questions
………………………………………………………… 11
Concept Notes …………………………………………………………
11
Instructions for supplementary
materials …………………………………………………………
12
References …………………………………………………………
12

Lesson 4 – Realizing the Role and the Help of the Church in One’s Life especially in his Path of
Salvation
Intended Learning Outcomes …………………………………………………………
13
General Instructions …………………………………………………………
13
Guide Questions
………………………………………………………… 13
Concept Notes …………………………………………………………
13
Instructions for supplementary
materials …………………………………………………………
14
References …………………………………………………………
14

Learning Activity Sheets

Peer Work (L1) …………………………………………………………
15
Quiz (L1) …………………………………………………………
16
Activities (L1) …………………………………………………………
17
Reflection (L1) …………………………………………………………
18

Peer Work (L2) …………………………………………………………

19
Quiz (L2) …………………………………………………………
20
Activities (L2) …………………………………………………………
21
Reflection (L2) …………………………………………………………
23

Peer Work (L3) …………………………………………………………

24
Quiz (L3) …………………………………………………………
25
Activities (L3) …………………………………………………………
26
Reflection (L3) …………………………………………………………
28

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Peer Work (L4) …………………………………………………………

29
Quiz (L4) …………………………………………………………
30
Activities (L4) …………………………………………………………
31
Reflection (L4) …………………………………………………………
32

Written Test …………………………………………………………

33
Performance Task …………………………………………………………
34

Understanding the True Meaning and Value of Man and the Society
Lesson 1

I. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, the learners are able to:
1. Understand the importance of the society.
2. Develop a sense of responsibility as a man living in the society.
3. Express gratitude to God as an author of the society.

II. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read the guide questions
2. Study the concept notes. Refer to materials cited for further understanding.
3. Study supplementary materials for additional information
4. Perform peer work
5. Take the quiz
6. Perform the activity
7. Fill out the reflection page

III. GUIDE QUESTIONS

Use these guide questions to navigate through the concept notes and additional
readings and media. Keep them in mind while studying. You can use a separate note
to pick up answers and ideas from the materials as you move along them.

1. Why authority must be respected and obeyed?

2. What distinguishes man from the rest of earthly creatures?
3. Why society is important?

IV. CONCEPT NOTES

MAN AND SOCIETY

What is Society?
A society is a group of persons bound together organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond
each one of them. As an assembly that is at once visible and spiritual, a society endures through time: it
gathers up the past and prepares for the future. CCC 1880
-Human society is a moral unity of persons united under authority for the accomplishment of some
common good through their common effort. Vitaliano Gorospe, SJ (Henceforth, will be cited as VG)

What is authority?
-Authority is the moral power to direct others, or, more simply, to tell them what to do, and what no
to do. VG
-The right to command and to enforce obedience; the right to act officially. Webster
Comprehensive Dictionary

*Why authority is needed in a society?

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-In order that the members of society may move effectively and unitedly toward the common end, it
is necessary to have an authority governing them.
- Authority exist in order that the common good and the good of the individual members of society
may be more easily and perfectly obtained.
-As no society can hold together unless someone be over all, directing all to strive earnestly for the
common good, every civilized community must have a ruling authority; and this authority, no less than
society itself, has its source in nature, and has, consequently, God for its Author.” Leo XIII, Immortale Dei

Therefore, legitimate authority must be respected and obeyed not in a half-hearted way but
conscientiously. However, if the authority commands a thing contrary to the natural or divine laws, then
there arises a duty not to obey it, for authority without justice is null and void.
- The power of governing must be exercised according to truth and justice, without destroying at
any time the freedom of any one of the subjects. Authority, as derived from God, must function within the
limits of natural and divine positive laws, as a supreme guarantee of justice and truth, the common good and
the personal rights of the individual.
-It is not permissible to rebel unjustly against a lawfully constituted authority. However, if by unjust
and other dishonest acts the one in power destroys the very foundation of authority and leads society to
ruin, then it is permissible with honest and appropriate means to defend society and oneself against
injustice, taking care that no greater harm is caused than was intended to be avoided.
-Community life is a natural characteristic that distinguishes man from the rest of earthly creatures.

Importance of Society
Man’s natural instinct (intuition, gut feeling, impulse, nature) moves him to live in society, for he
cannot, if dwelling apart, provide for himself with the necessary requirements of life, nor procure the means
of developing his mental and moral faculties. Hence it is divinely ordained that he should lead his life – be it
family, social, or civil – with his fellowmen, amongst whom alone his several wants can be adequately
supplied. Leo XIII, Immortale Dei

What are the Social Virtues?

1. Justice
2. Charity
3. Almsgiving
4. Beneficence
5. Munificence

1. Justice – moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and
neighbor. CCC 1807

Kinds of Justice
a. Commutative Justice – is a virtue which obliges one to give another his due.
b. Legal Justice – is a virtue which obliges one to give to society its due.
c. Distributive Justice – is a virtue which obliges the community and its leaders to give to
the individual members of society their due.

2. Charity – Social charity is virtue which prompts men to contribute to the good of their fellowmen
and to the common good because they realize their “oneness” or the fact that they are all children
of God and that they are all brothers belonging to God’s family.
3. Almsgiving – seeks to supply the bare necessities of life from motives of compassion and love of
God and neighbor.
4. Beneficence – seeks to do good to others in any way whatsoever.
5. Munificence – extraordinary generous whenever a great and good cause demands it.

What are the three most important kinds of societies?

1. Domestic Society or Family (natural Society) --- necessary society
2. Civil Society or the State (natural society) --- necessary society
3. Religious Society or the Church (supernatural society) --- necessary society

*we could also speak of conventional (established, agreed) societies like cultural, commercial,
athletic and the like

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SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS / MATERIALS

Want to find out more? For further readings, see:
Gorospe, Vitaliano, SJ. Cathechism on the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church.

REFERENCES
Carrier, Herve, SJ. The Social Doctrine of the Church Revisited: A Guide for Study. Vatican:
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1990.
Gorospe, Vitaliano, SJ. Cathechism on the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Guerry, Emile. The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. Translated by Miriam Hederman. New
York: Society of St. Paul, 1961.
Fanfani, Amintore. Catechism of the Catholic Social Teaching. Translated by Henry J. Yannone.
Manila: UST Press, 1962.
Establishing a Good Relationship Among the Members of the Family
Lesson 2

I. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, the learners are able to:
1. Express their in-depth understanding as a member of a family with rights.
2. Realize their role as a member of the family.
3. Explain the significance of having and being a part of family.

II. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read the guide questions
2. Study the concept notes. Refer to materials cited for further understanding.
3. Study supplementary materials for additional information
4. Perform peer work
5. Take the quiz
6. Perform the activity
7. Fill out the reflection page

III. GUIDE QUESTIONS

Use these guide questions to navigate through the concept notes and additional readings
and media. Keep them in mind while studying. You can use a separate note to pick up
answers and ideas from the materials as you move along them.

1. Why family is considered as the basic unit of the society?

2. What is the purpose of marriage in the life of a family?
3. What it is that brings damage to the well-being and rearing of children? Why?

IV. CONCEPT NOTES

THE FAMILY

Define Family
The family is a small but real society, born out of the love of a man and a woman, for the
procreation and the rearing of children. Willed and ordained by God, it has its own authority and its own
rights, though it reaches its natural perfection only as part of civil society. The family is constituted by
means of matrimony, namely, the sacrament which unites a man and a woman indissolubly.

What is the end and purpose of the family?

“The family has been instituted directly by God for its peculiar purpose, the generation and
formation of offspring.” Pius XI, Divini Illius Magistri

What is the importance of the family?

The family is the foundation of the State and of the Church. It is the basic unit of society.

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Some of the rights of the family

1. Right to a decent home; 2. To a family wage; 3. To religious freedom; 4. To education; 5.
Security against sickness and old age; 6. Freedom of expression, etc.

Obligation of Parents:
-Parents must strive to be saints and they must see to it that their home and its environment is
conducive to piety and the practice of virtues. VG

Some of the elements today that tend to break down the family:
1. The spread of divorce and birth control and the publicity given to both
2. Hasty and ill considered marriage
3. Commercialized amusement which scatters the family members
What is marriage?
-Marriage is the lawful union of man and woman as husband and wife.
-The sacrament, wherein a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the
whole life. It is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses (divorce is wrong) and the procreation
of offspring (birth prevention is wrong). CCC 1601
- The purpose of marriage is for the good of the spouses (conjugal fidelity, mutual aid, mutual love)
and the generation and education of children
-Christian marriage is not only a contract by which a man and a woman give themselves to each
other for life, and become husband and wife but it is also a sacrament. Marriage is a complete consecration
of two lives to Christ.
-The properties of marriage are unity and indissolubility. Marriage bond is by its very nature
indissoluble, no authority in the world can dissolve it, if the marriage is ratified and consummated.

Evil effects produced by divorce

-Divorce favors inconsiderate unions, renders marriage unstable, encourages infidelity, weakens
parental authority, perverts morals, brings damage to the well-being and the rearing of children. On the
contrary, the indissolubility of matrimony confers great security to the consorts, infidelity is contained, mutual
help enhanced, the care and the education of children is favored, morals are protected.

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS / MATERIALS

Want to find out more? For further readings, see:
Fanfani, Amintore. Catechism of the Catholic Social Teaching. Translated by Henry J. Yannone.
Manila: UST Press, 1962.

REFERENCES
Carrier, Herve, SJ. The Social Doctrine of the Church Revisited: A Guide for Study. Vatican:
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1990.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Manila: ECCE/Word and Life Publications, 1994.
Gorospe, Vitaliano, SJ. Cathechism on the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Guerry, Emile. The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. Translated by Miriam Hederman. New
York: Society of St. Paul, 1961.
Fanfani, Amintore. Catechism of the Catholic Social Teaching. Translated by Henry J. Yannone.
Manila: UST Press, 1962.
Henriot, Peter, Edward DeBerri and Michael Schultheis. Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept
Secrets. Quezon City, Philippines: Claretian Publications, 1989.
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Vatican: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2004.

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Developing Appreciation to the Role of the State in the Life of Every Individual
Lesson 3

I. INTENDED OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the learners are able to:
1.Promote a sense of civic responsibility in the society as a person.
2.Value the role of the state in the society and in every individual.
3.Explain the necessity of politics in the society.

II. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.Read the guide questions
2.Study the concept notes. Refer to materials cited for further understanding.
3.Study supplementary materials for additional information
4.Perform peer work
5.Take the quiz
6.Perform the activity
7.Fill out the reflection page

III. GUIDE QUESTIONS

Use these guide questions to navigate through the concept notes and additional readings
and media. Keep them in mind while studying. You can use a separate note to pick up
answers and ideas from the materials as you move along them.

1. Why do we need to know our duties as a citizen in the state?

2. What is the role of Politics in the society?

IV. CONCEPT NOTES

THE STATE

Define the State (Civil Society)

-The State is a society naturally formed, necessary to man’s perfection, possessing all the means
useful to the achievement of its end, occupying a determined area, consisting of a certain group of people,
living under contingent forms of organization of the sovereign power. Amintore Fanfani (Henceforth, will be
cited as AF)
-The State or civil society is a perfect society whose purpose is the temporal welfare of its citizens.
It is a perfect society because it has within itself all the means to accomplish its purpose. VG

The Purpose of the State

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-The State, as a necessary medium at the service of the human person, must control, help, and
regulate private and individual activities of national life in order that they may tend harmoniously toward the
common good.
-The common good to be attained by the State, or the common temporal good, consists in the
peaceful and safe enjoyment by all citizens of their own rights. Thus, the State must always respect the
rights of the individual persons.
The State has an educational and economical mission for the betterment of the citizens. It has also
its religious duties of its own. The State is also the protector of liberty and freedom.

Some of the fundamental rights of a State

a. The right to existence – a state must be consisting of a territory, a population, and a
government.
-The right to existence implies for each State the right to take all the measures of self-
preservation and defense necessary to safeguard its physical and moral integrity with due
respect for the equal right of other states.
b. The right of self-preservation and defense – right to have an internal police, armaments and
alliances
c. The right to independence – right to independence with regards other states
d. The right of equality
e. The right to promote national interests

Nature of the Society

Leo XIII (Immortale Dei): Man’s natural instinct moves him to live in civil society. Isolated he
cannot provide himself with the necessary requirements of life, nor procure the means of developing his
mental and moral faculties.
-Natural instinct and a need for well being and perfection caused man to unite with other men.
Thus society arose.
-Since God gave man instincts, assets and insufficiencies which move him to unite in a society, it
can be said that society was willed and ordained by God himself. Thus, society has a divine origin.
-In view of its divine origin and end, society must recognize God as its author, respect His laws and
honor Him.
-The practice of religion is necessary to the perfection of society. The virtues of self-denial, justice,
brotherhood and charity which man needs in associating with others and which cooperate in the perfection
of society, find in religion an enhancing and a strengthening force, so that the better the practice of true
religion, the more perfect will society also be.
-The end of society, as a medium, is the perfection of man and the common good. Society is a
natural means which man can and must use to reach his destined end.
-The experience of his own weakness urges man to call help from without… It is this natural
impulse that unites men to form a society. Rerum Novarum
-By his innermost nature, man is a social being and unless he relates himself to others he can
neither live nor develop his potentialities. (Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes, Pastoral Constitution on the
Church in the Modern World, Dec. 7, 1965)

Duties of the state to individual persons…

-The true form of community can be achieved only if individual members are considered and
treated as human persons.
-According to the social teaching of the Church, society is at the service of the human person to
respect his dignity and allow him to attain his end and his full human development. “Society is made for man
and not man for society. (Pius XI)”
-It does not mean that society should be subordinated to the selfish use of the individual but that
man is a social being by nature and can fully develop his attributes only in society, thanks for the help it
provides for his physical, intellectual, moral, family and social life. In other words, man is a human person
who will realize his full autonomy in communion with others and in cooperation with other members of
society.

Duties of the citizens toward the State

-The citizens have a special obligation to take part in public life, for in so doing he cooperates in the
attainment of the common good.
Pius XII: No citizen can remain aloof from political life when it concerns the common good…

a. A sense of civic responsibility

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1. Duty of voting (must be according to one’s conscience, for those men best qualified for
office) “Every Catholic must remember that the choice of men who make up the legislature is
of the highest importance to the Church. Therefore, Catholics must not spare the use of
every legitimate means to secure the election of men who join to the care of the common
good.” Leo XIII
-In voting, the citizens should seek the good of the community, the city, the province, the
country as a whole rather than personal profit.

2. Duty of vigilance – Citizens should be informed on important national and international

affairs; avoid electoral mistakes, correct them when they are made; insist on high ideals and
faithful service on the part of elected officials; get rid of nepotism (favoritism), graft, etc.

b. A sense of civic obedience

c. A sense of social cooperation

Define Politics
-the science and art of securing and advancing the temporal welfare of the community organized
as a State. VG
We (Christians) should be active in politics. To avoid politics is to live open to men whose
principles are hostile (to the State) to God and the Church. By participating in politics, the Catholic
influences government for the common good by bringing Christ’s teaching into the laws and policies of the
State.

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS / MATERIALS

Want to find out more? For further readings, see:
Fanfani, Amintore. Catechism of the Catholic Social Teaching. Translated by Henry J. Yannone.
Manila: UST Press, 1962.

REFERENCES
Carrier, Herve, SJ. The Social Doctrine of the Church Revisited: A Guide for Study. Vatican:
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1990.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Manila: ECCE/Word and Life Publications, 1994.
Gorospe, Vitaliano, SJ. Cathechism on the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Guerry, Emile. The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. Translated by Miriam Hederman. New
York: Society of St. Paul, 1961.
Fanfani, Amintore. Catechism of the Catholic Social Teaching. Translated by Henry J. Yannone.
Manila: UST Press, 1962.

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Realizing the Role and the Help of the Church in One’s Life Especially in His Path of Salvation
Lesson 4

I. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the learners are able to:
1. Describe the role of the Church in the Society.
2. Value the whole Church- it’s holiness and its sinfulness.
3. Construct their own opinion on the relation of the Church and the State.

II. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read the guide questions.
2. Study the concept notes. Refer to materials cited for further understanding.
3. Study supplementary materials for additional information
4. Perform peer work
5. Take the quiz
6. Perform the activity
7. Fill out the reflection page

III. GUIDE QUESTIONS

Use these guide questions to navigate through the concept notes and additional readings
and media. Keep them in mind while studying. You can use a separate note to pick up
answers and ideas from the materials as you move along them.
1. What is the Relation of the Church and the State?
2. How can the Church help the state in facing various concerns in the society?
3. How does the Church help man in the path of Salvation?

IV. CONCEPT NOTES

THE CHURCH

Etymology
-from the Latin word ecclesia which means a convocation or assembly. It designates the
assemblies of the people, especially for a religious purpose.
-Ekklesia is used frequently in Greek Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before
God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was established by
God as His holy people. By calling itself “Church,” the first community of Christian believers recognized
itself as heir to that assembly.

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-The equivalent Greek term Kyriake, from which the English word Church and the German Kirche
are derived, means “what belongs to the Lord.”
-In Christian usage, the word ‘Church” designates the liturgical assembly, but also the local
community or the universal community of believers.

What is the Catholic Church?

*It is that visible, perfect and supernatural society founded by Jesus Christ whose members are
baptized, and who, joined together by professing the same faith and by a mutual participation in spiritual
goods, strive to attain the same spiritual end under the guiding authority of the Roman Pontiff and of the
Bishops in communion with him. (Cardinal Gasparri, by VG)
-The Church is a perfect society because it has within itself all the means necessary to secure its
purpose.

What is the Church’s attitude concerning the relations of Church and State?
The Church’s attitude is well summed up in the following classical passage from the “Christian
Constitution of States” of Leo XIII: “The Almighty, therefore, has apportioned the charge of the human race
between two powers, the ecclesiastical and the civil, the one being set over divine, and the other over
human, things. Each in its kind is supreme, each has fixed limits within which it is contained, limits that are
defined by the nature and special object of the province of each, so that there is, we may say, for each a
fixed orbit, within which the action of each is brought into play by its own right…Jesus Christ has Himself
given command that what is Caesar’s is to be rendered to Caesar, and what belongs to God is to be
rendered to God.”
-each one is free and in a position to carry out its own mission. Although distinct, there must be
harmony between the Church and the State.
-With her social doctrine, the Church aims at helping man on the path of salvation.

What is the end of the Church?

-The end of the Church is the eternal salvation of souls. However, in order to better promote the
eternal welfare of man, the Church concerns itself also with those aspects of human life having a relation
with his eternal welfare.
-In view of each one’s respective ends, all that concerns the salvation of souls and divine worship
falls under the jurisdiction of the Church, whereas all that regards the material common good, as a civil and
positive element, falls under the jurisdiction of the State.

Is the Church supreme in its own sphere of operation?

-In view of its end and its perfection the Church is subordinate to no other human society. It is
supreme in its own field.
What is the right of the Church?
-The Church has the right to defend against any intruder its exclusive competence in matters
regarding the sacraments and its doctrine.
-It is the duty of the Church to provide for man’s spiritual life and to administer the sacraments.

Relations between Church and State

-The Church rules supreme over things divine, while the state rules over things material, and both
are supreme in their own respective orders.
-For the good of humanity, collaboration between Church and State in keeping with the plans of
Providence in regard to society is necessary.

4 Characteristics of the Church

1. Church as One
2. Church as Holy
3. Church as Catholic
4. Church as Apostolic

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS / MATERIALS

Want to find out more? For further readings, see:
Fanfani, Amintore. Catechism of the Catholic Social Teaching. Translated by Henry J. Yannone.
Manila: UST Press, 1962.

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REFERENCES
Carrier, Herve, SJ. The Social Doctrine of the Church Revisited: A Guide for Study. Vatican:
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1990.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Manila: ECCE/Word and Life Publications, 1994.
Gorospe, Vitaliano, SJ. Cathechism on the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Guerry, Emile. The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. Translated by Miriam Hederman. New
York: Society of St. Paul, 1961.
Fanfani, Amintore. Catechism of the Catholic Social Teaching. Translated by Henry J. Yannone.
Manila: UST Press, 1962.

Peer Work (L1)

Name: ______________________________________________ Program and Year:

________________

For this section, you have to meet with your assigned peer by communicating with her/him through
a text message or chat or a call. Earlier you have been given guide questions to keep in mind while
you read. With these questions, discuss with your peers your responses. When done, fill in the field
below with the responses of your peer.

Name of peer: __________________________________________________________

1. Why authority must be respected and obeyed?

When individuals respect authority, it promotes social order. This is important because it
allows society to grow and flourish. For example, taxes are used to create social programs
and fund government policies. As a result, there are roads, public services and more
economic opportunities available

2. What distinguishes man from the rest of earthly creatures?

Humans possess many cognitive abilities not seen in other animals, such as
a full-blown language capacity as well as reasoning and planning abilities.

3. Why society is important?

One of the reasons why society is important is that it gives you a framework
to work together. It provides you with a platform to take collective efforts
towards improving social conditions. Most importantly, a society serves as a
strong support system in life.

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QUIZ (L1): Multiple Choice

1. A
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. D
7. A
8. A
9. D
10. A
11.

ACTIVITY (L1):

Name: ________________________________________ Program and Year _______________

Score: ___________________

Instruction: Basing on the Concept Notes and Additional Readings that you have, make an Acrostic
Poem of the words- MAN and SOCIETY. Use Words or Phrases only that is connected with
each other.

M- Man belongs in a society

A-nd it is where he or she
N-urtures him or herself
S-hares good memories
O-r bad happenings
C-herishes learnings
I-, you and we are part of it
E-veryone has rights
T-ogether, lets fight
Y-et knowing our responsibilities too

Peer Work (L2)

Name: _______________________________________ Program and Year:

________________________

For this section, you have to meet with your assigned peer by communicating with her/him through
a text message or chat or a call. Earlier you have been given guide questions to keep in mind while
you read. With these questions, discuss with your peers your responses. When done, fill in the field
below with the responses of your peer.

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Name of peer: __________________________________________________________

1. Why family is considered as a basic unit of the society?

Sociologists are interested in the relationship between the institution of marriage and the
institution of family because families are the most basic social unit upon which society is built, but
also because marriage and family are linked to other social institutions such as the economy,
government, and religion.

2. What is the purpose of marriage in the life of a family?

Marriage is the beginning—the beginning of the family—and is a life-long commitment. It also
provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness as you serve your wife and children. Marriage is
more than a physical union; it is also a spiritual and emotional union. This union mirrors the one
between God and His Church.

3. What is it that brings damage to the well-being and rearing of children in the family?
 Economic factors. Children in poverty. Children whose parents lack secure
employment.
 Education factors. Young children not in school (ages 3 & 4) ...
 Health factors. Low birth-weight babies. ...
 Family and Community factors. Children in single-parent families.

QUIZ (L2) : Multiple Choice

1. C
2. D
3. C
4. D
5. B
6. A
7. D
8. D
9. A
10. D
ACTIVITY (L2)

Name: ________________________________________ Program and Year _______________

Score: ___________________

Instruction: Collect photos of a family that follows their responsibilities at home, in the Church and in the society.
Collect photos as many as you can and paste it in a coupon bond.

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Peer Work (L3)

Name: ______________________________________________ Program and Year:

_________________

For this section, you have to meet with your assigned peer by communicating with her/him through
a text message or chat or a call. Earlier you have been given guide questions to keep in mind while
you read. With these questions, discuss with your peers your responses. When done, fill in the
field below with the responses of your peer.

Name of peer: ______________________________________

1. Why do we need to know our duties as a citizen of the state?

Often most people are put into positions without fully knowing what they are
responsible for and accountable for.
Defined Roles and Responsibilities provides clarity, alignment, and
expectations to those executing the work and keeping our plant running.

2. What is the role of Politics in the society?

Politics comprises all the activities of co-operation, negotiation and conflict within
and between societies, whereby people go about organizing the use, production

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or distribution of human, natural and other resources in the course of the

production and reproduction of their biological and social life.

QUIZ (L3) : Multiple Choice

1. D
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. C
6. A
7. B
8. A
9. D
10. B

ACTIVITY (L3): ESSAY

Name: ________________________________________ Program and Year _______________

Score: ___________________

Instruction: Answer the following question comprehensively.

1. Expand this statement, “Society is made for man and not man for
society. (Pius XI)”
2. Why it is said that the practice of religion is necessary to the perfection
of society?

1. Society is made for man in which he or she grows up as he or she mingles around with
people who belongs in it. Man is not made for society, although it is still everyone’s
responsibility to do each of our duties. Because of the belief that a mans is a subject not a
mere object.
2. Religion protects society because it teaches the Word of God. Spreading it awakens
people to the right and would make them refuse to do wrong things.

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Peer Work (L4)

Name: ______________________________________________ Program and Year:

_________________

For this section, you have to meet with your assigned peer by communicating with her/him through
a text message or chat or a call. Earlier you have been given guide questions to keep in mind
while you read. With these questions, discuss with your peers your responses. When done, fill in
the field below with the responses of your peer.

Name of peer: ______________________________________

1. What is the relation of the Church and the State?

The term Church and State usually represents the relationships between religious
organizations or authorities on the one hand and secular government on the other. In
order to avoid possible sensitivities it has been suggested to use the term Religion
and State instead of Church and State.

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2. How can the Church help the state in facing various concerns in the society?
Christians believe that it is part of their duty to act in a moral way. This
involves helping others around them. The Church can play a vital role in
assisting Christians to help others by providing. help for the homeless –
Housing Justice is a Christian charity that tries to ensure everyone has a
home.

3. How does the Church help man in the path of salvation?

The Church is the Sacrament of Salvation because She is both a Sign and Instrument of
God's Salvation for Humanity. ... The Church is the Sacrament of Communion because
She is God's Instrument to bring Human Beings into Communion with God and with
each other through the Grace of the Sacraments.

QUIZ (L4) : Multiple Choice

Name: _________________________________________________ Program and

Year:_____________

Score ___________

1. C
2. A
3. D
4. B
5. D
6. D
7. D
8. A
9. B
10. A

ACTIVITY (L4)

Name: ________________________________________ Program and Year _______________

Score: ___________________

Instructions: Research and list some of the activities and programs of the Church that is of great help in the
people of the society; write it in Column 1. While in Column 2, think and list down as many activities and
programs that you yourself may propose that could also be of help in your community.

Church Activities and Programs Your Proposed Activities and Programs

Bible Squeeze Relay. have participants get into two teams, form
a line and hold hands.  Starting with the
first person, the team must pass a hand
squeeze down the line. When the last
person in line gets the squeeze, that
person runs to the front of the line and
looks up a pre-determined verse and reads
it out loud to their group. When that
person finishes, they start the squeeze and
the relay continues.

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Community Event Help the community to stay in touch to

the church
Bible Brains.
Vocation Bible School Program

WRITTEN TEST (M2)

Essay: Guided by the rubric on the next page, answer the question comprehensively.

1. As a student and a youth of this country, what help could you extend to the society that
would be helpful also in the Church, Family and in the State? Mention a specific help.
As a student, I can contribute to our country in the following ways. I will
Try and saveelectricity as much as I can.This will not only help the country but will save
the entire world. Simply switch off all electric appliances when not in use. Try and
reduce the usage of mobile phones too. Plant trees. This is probably the best thing one
can do. I think we should all take a pledge to plant at least one plant/tree per month.

Join a youth organization being an active member of a youth organization can

help you expand your horizon and knowledge. Not only can you help people but also
inspire others to follow your lead. If you think your society does not have an organization
that represents your ideas, come forward and create one. There is no harm in being a
trendsetter. Inspiring other people.

One of the most brilliant ways to make a difference is to encourage others to

join a youth organization. Inspire and teach young people to take responsibilities and
volunteer for a social cause. Similarly, you can ask young people to join your campaign
or organization to raise awareness for a social cause.

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PERFORMANCE TASK (M2)

PORTFOLIO: Collect images and photos that depict the helping and extending hands of Family to
the Church, Church to the State and State to both Family and Church.

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The Sacramental Life of the Church / Module 2 Aklan Catholic College-HED