A Sociotheological Approach to Catholic Social Teaching: The Role of Religion in Moral Responsibility During COVID-19

This book applies Catholic social teaching (CST) to critically analyze the major global issues of COVID-19, such as corporate moral irresponsibility, inequitable vaccine distribution, and inadequate public health surveillance, using a sociotheological approach that combines CST's moral principles with modern sociology. It aims to enhance the understanding of religion and COVID-19 and promote appropriate Catholic social action.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This book delves into Catholic social teaching (CST) and its principles related to the common good, applying them to critically analyze the major global challenges posed by COVID-19. It employs a sociotheological approach that combines CST's moral principles with a comprehensive analysis of modern sociology, drawing from secondary literature as its primary source of textual data. Through in-depth investigations, the book uncovers corporate moral irresponsibility and unethical business practices in the sale and distribution of anti-COVID vaccines and medicines by pharmaceutical companies. It also highlights the injustice in the unequal global vaccine distribution, the weakening of legislative regulation against pharmaceutical industry overpricing and profiteering, the inadequacy of the World Health Organization's (WHO) law enforcement system in combating corruption, and the lack of social monitoring in public health surveillance systems to safeguard the public good from corporate fraud and white-collar crime.

The book emphasizes the contribution of sociology in providing the empirical foundation for CST's moral analysis and in shaping appropriate Catholic social action during the pandemic. It aims to bridge the gap between religious and secular perspectives, fostering understanding and collaboration among scholars, social scientists, religious leaders, moral theologians, religious educators, and Catholic lay leaders. By highlighting the sociotheological approach, the book seeks to enhance the appreciation of religion and its role in addressing COVID-19-related challenges.

The book is organized into five chapters, each exploring a different aspect of the COVID-19 crisis and its implications for the common good. The first chapter provides an introduction to CST and its principles, while the second chapter explores the sociological dimensions of the pandemic. The third chapter examines corporate moral irresponsibility and unethical business practices in the pharmaceutical industry. The fourth chapter highlights the injustice in global vaccine distribution and the need for equitable access. The fifth chapter explores the weaknesses in legislative regulation and the role of the WHO in combating corruption.

Throughout the book, the author employs a rigorous analytical approach, drawing on sociological theories and empirical research to support their arguments. They also incorporate insights from Catholic social teaching and other religious traditions to provide a holistic understanding of the challenges at hand. The book's conclusion offers recommendations for addressing these issues and promoting a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on COVID-19 and its implications for the common good. By employing a sociotheological approach, it offers a comprehensive analysis of the global challenges posed by the pandemic and highlights the role of Catholic social teaching in addressing them. It is a must-read for scholars, social scientists, religious leaders, moral theologians, religious educators, and Catholic lay leaders who are interested in understanding the intersection of religion, society, and public health.

Weight: 459g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811970740
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022