Catholic Social Teaching

The seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching can show the Church’s opinions on various societal problems in today’s society, based on how Jesus would respond to these issues, and they can be used to show how the Church feels about the unjust medical care and treatment given to Black individuals. When an issue violates the Catholic Social Teachings, the need for justice becomes more clear. The CSTs related to racism in healthcare are outlined below.

What are the 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching?

The 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching are Life and Dignity of the Human Person, Call to Family, Community, and Participation, Rights and Responsibilities, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, Solidarity, and Care for God's Creation.

Solidarity

Solidarity states that we are all one family, despite our many differences. Although we should recognize and celebrate these differences, we are seen as a family in God's eyes. As a part of this family, we all deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity and receive the same rights and opportunities. Black people not receiving the same medications or the same treatments as their White counterparts is a direct violation of solidarity because they are being discriminated against and their dignity is not being valued.


"We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be" - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Solidarity

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

This theme is most commonly used for issues of mortality, such as the death penalty, but considering how many deaths and harm medical racism causes, it can apply to this topic as well. This theme states that all life is sacred, and that as members of the church community, we have a responsibility to protect lives that are being harmed. The theme also enforces how this sacredness of life is an equalizer, as we are all seen as worthy in the eyes of God. The helpless baby has the same amount of worth as the richest person on earth according to this principle, so this principle also believes that a Black person has the same worth as a White person, despite how they are currently being treated.

"When we deal with each other, we should do so with the sense of awe that arises in the presence of something holy and sacred. For that is what human beings are: we are created in the image of God" - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Economic Justice for All, no. 28

Jesus' Teachings

Although Jesus never spoke directly on medical racism, He was a supporter of healthcare for all and he treated everyone equally and with respect, even the lowest in society. In the book of Matthew, Jesus teaches on judgment, and how we should not judge others because we are all flawed ourselves. Although judgment and racism are different, racism is judging people based on their race without knowing them first, and Jesus’ teaching goes directly against that.

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7: 1-3, New American Bible Revised Edition)