Exploring Catholic Social Teaching

LESSON PLAN
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Why would it be unexpected for a general to resign his commission—to voluntarily give up
power? Historically, almost all people with power had sought to gain more power, rather than
give up what they have.
Washington again gave up power when he was president. He was elected unanimously
in 1788, and won in a landslide four years later. He could have kept running for president
until he died, but he chose to refuse a third term. Why was this an important precedent?
Washington began a tradition that presidents would refuse to run for third terms, ensuring
that presidents did not govern for life. This tradition continued until FDR ran and was
elected to four terms. The 22nd Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1957, preventing
presidents from being elected to more than two terms.
Two key principles of the U.S. government are a) civilian control of the military and b) the
peaceful transfer of power. Why would these be important for preserving liberty and justice
for all? These principles ensure we are governed by civil institutions and not by the threat or
use of military force.
C. Explain how many governments throughout world history including our present day have
been based on the use of force. The U.S. is special for many reasons, including that civilians
have control over the military, we have a peaceful transfer of power from one president to
another every four or eight years, and a similar transfer of power every two or six years in
Congress. Our government has used force on many occasions, of course, beginning with the
Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, to modern wars. Some uses of force in U.S. history may
have been just, while others may have been unjust.
Activity and Assessment
Have students select a war from American history and/or the present day and apply the principles
of Just War Doctrine to determine if it is/was a just war. Some free resources on this topic are
available online at SophiaOnline.org/CurrentEvents..
DAY THREE
Warm-Up
A. Project on the board and have a student stand and read aloud 1 Timothy 2:1-2:
“First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for
everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all
devotion and dignity.”
B. Conduct a brief discussion on what this Scripture verse tells us we should do for our leaders.
Emphasize that even if we do not like our current president, legislators, or local officials, we
should pray for them anyway.
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