In this blog post, I explain the distinction between social and distributive justice in Catholic social teaching, using the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Read more >>Explaining social justice using the Prodigal Son
Articles
Business ethics and the common good
On the website www.catholicsocialthought.org.uk, there is a set of videos that introduce Catholic social thought and teaching. We continue featuring those videos on the blog with the video on “Business ethics and the common good”. This explores the vital role that business plays in promoting the common good and the importance of the vocation of the business leader being followed ethically. Also available in Portuguese.
Read more >>The call to care for creation
I was recently asked to say what my favourite Bible passage was. Without much thought, I said the first chapter or so of Genesis. The reason I gave is because we can sideline these chapters. Catholics might think: “ah yes, the creation story; that did not really happen; let’s leave that to Jehovah’s witnesses and move on to the second chapter of Matthew.”
Read more >>Principles of Catholic social thought and teaching
On the website www.catholicsocialthought.org.uk, there is a set of videos that introduce Catholic social thought and teaching. We continue featuring those videos on the blog with the video on Principles of Catholic Social Thought and Teaching which focuses on the four pillars of human dignity, the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity. These are also available in Portuguese .
Read more >>Rebuilding a Culture of Life: the Brother Jack McArdle Lecture 2025
I thank you for the opportunity to address you for this lecture in honour of Brother Jack McArdle. I thank you for your pro-life work and the constancy with which you have alerted your members to the dangers of legislation against life in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the other islands of Jersey and the Isle of Man. I thank you for your prayers and actions in contacting MPs and Peers and highlighting concerns of the developing legislation.
Read more >>Catholic Social Thought videos
On the website www.catholicsocialthought.org.uk, there is a set of videos that introduce Catholic social thought and teaching. These will be featured on the blog over the coming weeks. These are also available in Portuguese .
Read more >>AI at the Service of Humanity and the Church
Introduction
This article does not address the risks or dangers of artificial intelligence – that subject is covered in multiple places. Nor will it go into the questions that fascinate me as a philosopher: the nature of intelligence, consciousness, self‑awareness, etc. Instead, it will address an important practical topic. I will reflect on how AI can serve humanity and the Church.
Read more >>The Polycentric Republic – theory of civil order for free and diverse societies
“The Polycentric Republic”, published this year by Routledge, shows how modern ideas of governance neglect the interests and prerogatives of non-State associations and legitimate an imposing sovereign state that jeopardizes the freedom and integrity of communities and associations. In the book, David Thunder invites us to reimagine civil order in a way that is more friendly to the diverse interests and prerogatives of non-state communities and organizations, from churches, schools, and universities to farming co-ops, businesses, villages, and towns.
Read more >>Professor Richard Turnbull – a short tribute
Richard was the founding director of the Centre for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics. He was a visiting professor in the Business School at St. Mary’s University. He made a number of contributions to the life of St. Mary’s, including organising high profile events involving academics, business leaders and policy thinkers. He also guest lectured on the MA in Catholic Social Teaching.
Read more >>Back to budget basics
Providing Christian commentary on the recent budget is not especially easy. There was a measure to remove the two-child cap on Universal Credit payments that was welcomed by many Christians. But the rest of the budget was really a collection of bits and pieces as well as deferred tax rises on which it is difficult to provide a Christian analysis.
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