Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is sometimes referred to as the Church’s
best kept secret, perhaps because it’s so radical. Catholic Social Teaching, as
found in the letters and exhortations of popes since 1891, shows us a
Gospel-inspired pathway to a society reconciled and in harmony through justice
and love.
Raymond Friel, in his latest book, provides an introduction to this
treasure of the Church. The book is aimed at those who don’t know much about
CST and are looking for an accessible guide to the main principles, with
helpful references to scripture and the key Church documents.
There’s a section on Catholic Social Action, to make it clear that all
this teaching is meant to inspire people to build a better world founded on
truth, justice and love. With moving examples from frontline charities and
schools, readers will see what CST looks like when it hits the streets.
The final section of the book includes a CST calendar, with suggested
dates throughout the year to celebrate some of the key figures and milestones
in the long struggle for social justice.
This book is suitable for staff working in Catholic schools, or
charities, or volunteers in parishes. It will motivate and inspire anyone who
wants to make a difference, who believes that we are all in this together, one
human family in a common home.
About Raymond Friel OBE
Raymond has worked in Catholic settings since 1990, mostly in state
secondary education, as a teacher of English, head of department, headteacher,
National Leader of Education, General Secretary of the Catholic Independent
Schools Conference, and CEO of two multi academy trusts.
He is currently CEO of Caritas Social Action Network, the agency of the
bishops’ conference dedicated to tackling poverty and enhancing social mission
capacity in England and Wales.
He has written a number of books on education and Catholic life,
including How to Survive in Leadership in a Catholic School, Gospel Values for
Catholic Schools and Formation of the Heart: the why and how of being a
Catholic today (all available from Redemptorist Publications).
He was awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours List for services to
education. He lives in Somerset with his wife Janet, who is an artist and
maker. They have three sons.
