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THEOLOGY AND THE SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE

CHURCH
Ateneo de Manila Law School
Prof. Eugenio H. Villareal
Sections 1B, 1D & 1E, 2nd Semester, SY 2016 - 2017

Nature and Objective

Theology and the Social Teachings of the Church is both a

taught and experiential course, composed of lectures,
discussions, recitation, written and/or oral examinations,
and practical exercises. Topics will be approached from the
unique perspective of a legal mind, yet always and
essentially animated by the Catholic faith. The course aims
to lead the student to understand how the Catholic Church
wishes to be understood, and thus, to a wonderful discovery
of the splendor of truth, justice, faith, hope, and charity (as
these virtues vivify Catholic life).

Readings

Readings are listed hereunder, and students will be

prompted as to the degree of their relevance and
importance. However, an indispensable and worthwhile
volume for this course is the Compendium of the Social
Doctrine of the Church,1as well as relevant portions of the
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Since lawyers and law students operate in the temporal
sphere, the course may require supplemental readings in
economics, current events, politics, etc..

Grading Computation

The breakdown for the computation of grades is as follows:

Recitation, quizzes, papers, and/or practical exercises

- 30%
Mid-term examinations or equivalent
- 30 %

1 There is a published volume co-published by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and
Word & Life Publications. However, the entire material may also be accessed from the Vatican website.
 Final examinations or equivalent
- 40%.

Course Topics and Prospective Timeline

The following is an outline of the course, which may be

subject to adjustment according to exigencies and/or
pedagogical considerations. Majority of the topics
correspond to relevant portions of the Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the Church.

First Things First - The Basics of Christian Faith, The

Creed, and Knowing God and His Church Through Theology
(Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church [4C];
The Creeds (Nicene-Constantinopolitan and Apostles
Creed)

The Nature of the Church and its Attributes (OHCA! in 4C )

Lumen Gentium, Vatican Council II
Dignitatis Humanae, Religious Freedom and the Freedom of
Consciences
The Relation between Church and State (distinguishing the
legal notion of Church and the Church as a matter of
Faith and Doctrine)

Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World

Gaudium et Spes, VCII

Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii Gaudium

Apostolic Exhortation: Amoris Laetitia

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

- Evangelization and Social Doctrine
- Nature and History of the Social Doctrine
- The Human Person as Imago Dei
- Human Dignity and Human Rights
- The Common Good
- Universal Destination of Goods
- Subsidiarity, Participation, and Solidarity
- Fundamental Values

Economic Life
- Morality & The Economy
- Private and Business Initiative
- Economic Institutions in the Service of Man
- New Things in the Economic Sector
(Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church)

Justice and the Society of Jesus

- Justice in the World (1971 Synod of Bishops)
- Men and Women for Others (Pedro Arrupe, SJ)

Humane Vitae & Veritatis Splendor, Family and Marriage

(Issues and Challenges)
Inter Mirifica, VCII, and the Pastoral Instruction on the
Means of Social Communications, The Impact of Media and
Social Communications

Apostolic Letter Christefidelis Laici - Human Work,

Sanctification of Temporal Matters, and the Lay Apostolate

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

The Political and International Communities
Safeguarding the Environment

Reference Materials2

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Compendium on the Social Doctrine of the Church
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium,
VCII)
Decree on the Means of Social Communication (Inter
Mirifica, VCII) and the corresponding Pastoral
Instruction Communio et Progressio
Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae,
VCII)
Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern
World (Gaudium et Spes, VC II)

2 These are without prejudice to such other materials that may be required or suggested in
the course. The Church documents are readily accessible through the Vatican website.
 Justice in the World (Document in the 1971 World
Synod of Bishops)
Arrupe, Pedro, SJ, Men and Women for Others
Humanae Vitae
Veritatis Splendor
Christefidelis Laici
Evangelii Gaudium
Misericodiae Vultus.