MATER ET MAGISTRA

Submitted by: Charmaine Aurelio Kristel Kaye Dequillo Neil Ceasar Gumban Jesusa Mae Pabiona COMA2B Submitted to: Sir Antolin Emnace MA-RS

4.1. The Historical Context/ Background of the Encyclical According to Time Magazine US, Mater et Magistra takes careful measure of the massive power that science and technology have given the state to raise living standards and increase social welfare. It also warns the state of the danger this power carries to restrict the freedom of the individual. The state must therefore be careful to protect "the right that individual persons possess of being always primarily responsible for their own upkeep and that of their own family, which implies that in the economic systems the free development of productive activities should be permitted and facilitated. 4.2. Major/key themes or principles of the encyclical Mater et Magistra strongly enunciates the theme of human dignity. It realises that the Catholic Church's social teaching "rests on one basic principle: individual human beings are the foundation, the cause and the end of every social institution ...guarantee[ing] the sacred dignity of the individual" (Pope John XXIII, 1961). It states that "the Church's first care must be for souls, how she can sanctify them and make them share in the gifts of heaven, she concerns herself too with the exigencies of man's daily life, with his livelihood and education, and his general, temporal welfare and prosperity" (Pope John XXIII, 1961). The theme of human dignity is the underlying theme of Mater et Magistra and is repeated on numerous occasions throughout the encyclical. The themes of community and the common good, participation and rights and responsibilities are also enunciated strongly within Mater et Magistra. These themes are closely related to one another, realising that everyone has duties and responsibilities "to contribute to the good of the whole society, to the common good" (Office for Social Justice, 2006) because "we are connected with other people" (Cornish, 2008). These themes also overlap with the theme of global solidarity in that we are a global family, God's family and we must all be committed to the common good. John reiterates Pius XI'sQuadragesimo Anno (The Fortieth Year), in calling for "a joint effort by all the people" (Pope John XXIII, 1961) in conducting activities "in the interests of the common good" (Pope John XXIII, 1961), stating that a well-ordered, prosperous society requires that "individual citizens and the State co-operate" (Pope John XXIII, 1961). In his review, John articulates people are "more aware of their responsibility for furthering the common good in all spheres of life" (Pope John XXIII, 1961). Within Mater et Magistra, Pope John XXIII enunciates many themes from Catholic social teaching. He touches on the theme of option for the poor and vulnerable with the story of "entire continents condemned through the inadequacy of their wages to live with their families in utterly sub-human conditions" (Pope John XXIII, 1961) and through his expectation of the Church to "hold aloft the torch of charity" (Pope John XXIII, 1961) via teachings and example,

and through the social obligations of property owners. In line with this, the rights of workers is also enunciated strongly. John expressed that "relations between workers and managers need to be re-established on the basis of justice and equity" (Pope John XXIII, 1961). The Government has a key role in increasing rights and options for its citizens, being responsible for "assist[ing] citizens in fulfilling their responsibilities to others in society" (Office for Social Justice, 2006). The theme of a constructive role for government underpins many other themes of Catholic social teaching as the state has a large role in determining social conditions. 4.3. One of the issues attached to Mater et Magistra is the undying issue of the Reproductive Health Bill. This issue is directly against human dignity because it promotes abortion and the use of contraceptives when in fact a married couple is supposed to procreate. This has only been brought about by the change in culture. It is only nowadays that people have to do something that it meant to be done after marriage. Most of the schools are also increasing their tuition fees and according to the website of CBCP, the National Youth Commission (NYC) prompted to launch an action desk to respond to this issue. If schools keep on increasing tuition fees, there will come a time that parents (or even students themselves) would no longer be able to afford to go to school, and thus they would just opt to spend for things that matter more like food. Mater et Magistra tells us to look out for others because we are each others responsibility. Also seen in CBCP News is an article saying that the Oil Deregulation Law must be junked because if it pushes through, the prices are sure to increase as well. There must be a way to regulate the prices of petroleum in the country so that the producers cant just increase their prices to gain profit because the prices of every commodity will increase with that. Thus this would be a problem to the poor people. They barely make it through a day. Mater et Magistra teaches us that even the property owners have social obligations and this is one of them to consider those who are not as rich as they are. 4.4. Individual Opinions: Kristel Kaye Dequillo: I could only say that no man is really an island and that we have to look out for each other because we are all Gods children. Neil Ceasar Gumban: Since the Mater Et Magistra strongly supports the importance of human dignity, I can say that the provisions of the RH Bill is immoral because first and foremost, it deprives a human from his right to live. Moreover, it is the responsibility of every Christian to discern right from

wrong. It is in their conscience that makes distinguish if their actions are considered to be moral or immoral. For example, if they decide to engage in Abortion, their action is considered a mortal sin because at the first place, if they know that its immoral, they shouldnt have done such. Furthermore, as one family united by the love of God, we should help each other most especially our less fortunate brothers and sisters. In this way, we will be able to lessen sorrow in this world and create a spark in their lives.

4.5 Social Problem affecting Negros or Bacolod Society One of the major social problems in Negros Occidental is the growing population of street children. Many children are abandoned by their parents as a result of drug or alcohol addiction, or poverty. These children are often involved in criminal activities, and can even be forced into child prostitution, which is a growing problem in the area. Lack of education, medical attention, food and shelter are a daily reality for many of Negros' street children. Children are often emotionally scarred from their early childhood experiences, leading to drug and alcohol abuse later in life. In his encyclical Mater et Magistra, John XXIII declares that the Catholic Church is Mother and Teacher of all Nations, responsible for the care and guidance of Gods people. Just as Christ was concerned for both the spiritual and physical needs of people, so too is the Church. We are fortunate to have homes we sleep in every night, three meals to eat each day, clothes to wear, and family that we go home to and support and love us. As Christians and Lasallians, we are called to answer the social problems in our community. Not only is the Church called to act, Lasallians are designated with the responsibility to respond to these issues but also us. Although as students we cannot provide a solution that could end the growth in population of the street children, we could still help these children through various programs like Book/Clothing Drive. Lasallians could donate books and clothes to give to the less fortunate. Most of these children were also not given the luxury of education. By organizing a teaching program, even just on weekends or during our free time, we could teach them the basics in learning such as reading and writing. Although these solutions may be temporary, they could help inspire these children that with their own willingness and diligence to strive they could still attain a better future. With the help of those who are lucky enough, like us, these children would have a better chance of reaching their dreams.

References XI, P. P. (n.d.). Religion: Mater et Magistra - TIME. Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,897825,00.html. Peters, H. (n.d.). Mater Et Magistra - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com.Yahoo! Voices voices.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from http://voices.yahoo.com/mater-et-magistra3765350.html?cat=34. Roncalli, Angelo Giuseppe. "Mater et Magistra Summary - Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli Masterplots II: Christian Literature." eNotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More.. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. <http://www.enotes.com/mater-et-magistra-salem/mater-etmagistra>.