A Catholic Approach to the Common Good

This video is part of a series of short videos from the Catholic Centre for Social Thought and Practice, focusing on areas of Catholic Social Teaching in relation to key social and political issues
In this video, Professor Anna Rowlands explores Catholic understandings of the common good, a principle which underpins the reason for all of our political engagement.
After watching the video, you can use these questions for further reflection, either as an individual or in a group. These are prompts to adapt in whatever way works for you.
Sometimes these issues are not easy to talk about, so make sure that people feel safe and listened to, especially if they are sharing personal experience. You may wish to start and finish the discussion with prayer or silence.
After your discussion, you may decide to take action or want to learn more. You can use these further resources and videos from CCSTP: www.ccstp.org.uk
1. In the video, Anna discusses different ways in which the term ‘common good’ is used, not all of them true to the idea of the common good in Catholic Social Teaching. Have you heard any of these ideas of the common good being expressed in this election campaign so far?
2. The video outlines ten ways of thinking about the common good is Catholic Social Teaching tradition. Was there anything that particularly struck or resonated with you? Why? Or was there anything that you hadn’t heard before?
3. In a general election campaign, you can look at what policies the parties are proposing and you can contact your local candidates about the issues that concern you. This video does not focus on one particular theme or policy area, but can provide a framework to consider how policies impact “the most socially marginalised, the most socially vulnerable, the most excluded, and those lives that are seen as most superfluous.” What questions will you be raising with local candidates during this election campaign?
4. Have you watched any of the other videos in the series? Many of these also refer to the importance of the common good as an underlying principle. Choose one to watch (or to watch again). As you do, reflect on how the issue which it focuses on relates to a Catholic idea of the common good.
5. This video ends by saying that conversations about the common good don’t just belong in the political sphere, they belong “in the context of your family, your neighbourhood, your school, your business or workplace”. What practical things can you do individually or with others to keep those conversations alive during the course of the next parliament?