In response to an article on Paul Ryan, Catholic social teaching, and economics, millennial Catholic Michael Bayer offered a series of tweets that explain why Catholic social teaching on social and economic justice is not just a set of suggestions, but authoritative teaching:
Mr. Strain is correct that “the Catholic faith is much larger than politics,” and that Catholics may disagree on economic policies
— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
However, the piece reductionistically refers to “free enterprise” without naming numerous important instruments to this economic growth
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
For example, unions, social security, civil rights legislation, food safety and environmental regulations, minimum wage legislation…
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
Catholic Magisterium has explicit teaching on each of these. Nowhere in the piece does Mr. Strain mention, e.g. unions or living wage
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
It is accurate to say that Catholics may disagree as to specific legislative responses to these moral issues, however…
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
Describing Catholic teaching on social issues as “a resource,” and “not a binding moral teaching” is flatly incorrect @MichaelRStrain
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
All legislative/regnative responses to moral issues require prudence as intermediary, not just “social” ones (Aquinas Summa II IIae 50)
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
I agree that it is precarious to label particular economic visions as “incompatible” with Catholic teaching, but…
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
Certain specific policy provisions can, and should, be critiqued as incompatible with our understanding of Catholic teaching…
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
Why is why the @USCCB puts out very explicit statements on issues like unions, living wage, food stamps, and healthcare…
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
These statements, too often, are dismissed by right-leaning Catholics as “suggestions,” or as @MichaelRStrain describes, “a resource”
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
That’s a trend that needs to be countered. We are called to stand for the full range of Catholic teaching, including on social justice
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
If you would like to read some of the US Catholic Bishops’ statements on these justice issues, go here: https://t.co/KU1SFVR6OY
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
All of the @USCCB‘s policy-oriented statements are crafted from Scripture, papal encyclicals, and Magisterial texts
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
I respect those who adopt a totally free-market approach to economic policy, I do. But consistent teaching of the Catholic Church…
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
…challenges certain fundamental presuppositions/specific provisions of such economic visions. Not just as a resource, but as teaching
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
TL;DR – Catholic teaching weighs on “moral” issues, e.g. abortion, but it ALSO teaches authoritatively on justice, e.g. living wage
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— Michael Bayer (@mbayer1248) August 30, 2017
