Catholic Social

Teaching

Link of Religious and

Social Dimensions of Life

The “social” - the human construction of the world –

is not “secular” in the sense of being outside God’s plan,

but is intimately involved with the dynamic of the Reign of God. Therefore faith and justice

are necessarily linked together

• Matthew 23:23• Isaiah 42:1-4 • The Church in the Modern World -

(Gaudium et Spes (GS) Vatican II 1965)• One Hundred Years - (Centesimus Annus

1991 John Paul II)• Conversion and Society - (CCC 1886-

1889)• The political community and the church

(CCC 2244-2246)

Dignity of the Human Person Made in the image of God women and men have a preeminent

place in the social order. Human Dignity can be recognized and protected only in

community with others. The fundamental question to ask about social development is:

What is happening to people?• Matthew 6:25-34• John 13:34-35, Leviticus 19:18• Peace On Earth (Pacem In Terris 1963 John XXIII)• On Human Work (Laborem Exercens 1981 John Paul II)• Respect for the dignity of persons (CCC 1929-1933, 2284-2301,

2407-2418)

Political and Economic Rights

All human persons enjoy inalienable rights, which are political-legal

(e.g. voting, free speech, migration) and social-economic

(e.g. food, shelter, work, education). These are realized in community.

Essential for the promotion of justice and solidarity, these rights are to be respected and protected by all the

institutions of society.• Acts 4:32-35• Amos 8:4-7• Peace on Earth (1963 Pacem in Terris John

XXIII)• On the Development of Peoples (Populorum

Progressio 1967 Paul VI)• A Catholic Framework for Economic Life

(1996 U.S. Bishops)• The political community and the Church (CC

1897-1904, 2235-2246

A preferential love should be shown to the poor, whose needs and

rights are given special attention in God’s eyes.

“Poor” is understood to refer to the economically disadvantaged who, as a consequence of their status, suffer oppression and

powerlessness.• Luke 6:20-26• Isaiah 61:1-2• Christianity and Social Progress

(Mater et Magistra 1961 John XXIII)

• Call To Action (Octogesima Adveniens 1971 Paul VI)

• Jesus and the Poor (CC 544, 1397, 2443-2449, 2544-2547)

Preferential Option for the Poor

Link of Love and Justice

Love of neighbor is an absolute demand for justice,

because charity must manifest itself in actions and structures which respect human dignity, protect

human rights, and facilitate human development.

To promote justice is to transform structures which block love.

• Matthew 25:31-46• Amos 5:14-15• Economic Justice for All (1986

U.S. Bishops)• Justice in the World (Justitia in

Mundo 1971 Synod of bishops)• Love for the Poor (CC 2443-

2449)

Promotion of the Common Good The common good is the sum total of all those conditions of social living

- economic, political, cultural – which make it possible for women and men readily and fully to achieve the perfection

of their humanity.

Individual rights are always experienced within the context of promotion of the common good.

There is also an international common good.• John 13:1-15• Isaiah 1:10-28• Christianity and Social Progress (Mater et Magistra 1961 John XXIII)• Economic Justice for All (1986 U.S. Bishops)• The Common Good (CC 1905-1912)

Subsidiarity Responsibilities and decisions should be attended to as close

as possible at the level of individual initiative in local

communities and institutions. Mediating structures of

families, neighborhoods, community groups, small

businesses, and local governments should be fostered

and participated in. But larger government structure

do have a role when greater social coordination and

regulation are necessary for the common good.

• Acts 2:43-47• The Reconstruction of the Social Order

(Quadragesimo Anno 1931 Pius IX• TheFamily and Society (CC 2207-2213)• Duties of Civil Authorities (CC 2235-2237)

Political Participation Democratic participation in decision

making is the best way to respect the dignity and liberty of people.

The government is the instrument by which people cooperate together in order to achieve the common good. The international common good

requires participation in international organizations.

• Luke 22:24-27• Isaiah 58:1-12, Sirach 3:29-30• The Internal Order of States and

Peoples (Christmas Message Pius XII 1944)

• The Missionary Activity of the Church (Ad Gentes Vatican II 1965)

• Duties of Citizens (CC 2238-2243)• Responsibility and Participation

(CC 1913-1917)

Economic Justice The economy is for the people and

the resources of the earth are to be shared equitably by all. Human work is the key to

contemporary social questions. Labor takes precedence over both

capital and technology in the production process.

Just wages and the right of workers to organize are to be

respected.• Luke1:46-55• Jeremiah 22:13-16• The Conditions of Labor (Rerum

Novarum Leo XIII 1891)• On Human Work (Laborem Exercens

1981 John Paul II • Economic Activity and Social Justice

(CC 2426-2436)

Stewardship All property has a

“Social Mortgage.” People are to respect and share the resources of the earth, since we are

co-creators in the continuing

development of the earth.• Matthew 6:19-34, Acts 2:43-47• Isaiah 5:8-9• On Human Work (Laborem Exercens John

Paul II 1981)• The Condition of Labor (Rerum Novarum

Leo XIII 1891)• Universal destination and Private Ownership

of Goods (CC 2402-2406)• Stewardship of the earth (CC 373)

Solidarity We belong to one human family.

As such we have mutual obligations to promote the rights and development of all people across all levels of society.

Rich nations have responsibilities toward poor nations, and the structures of the

international order must reflect justice.

• Jeremiah 6:13-16• Matthew 20:20-28• The Development of Peoples

(Populorum Progressio 1967 Paul VI)• The Social Concern (Sollicitudo Rei

Scocialis 1987 John Paul II)• One hundred Years (Centesimus Annus

John Paul II 1991)• Human Solidarity (CC 1939-1942)

• Isaiah 32:17-18• Mark 10:35-45• Peace On Earth (Pacem in Terris John XXIII

1963)• On Public Prayers for Peace (Optatissima Pax

1947 Pius XII)• Safeguarding Peace (CC 2302-2317)

Promotion of Peace Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among

humans and among nations.

The arms race must cease and progressive disarmament take place if the future is to be secure.

In order to promote peace and the condition of peace, an effective international authority is necessary.

Work Work can and must serve an

individual’s humanity and dignity.

Work is a way that humans share in the activity of God.

People have a right to work, a right to receive a just wage, and a right to form unions.

• Jeremiah 22:13-16• John 13:1-15• The Condition of Labor (Rerum

Novarum Leo XIII 1891)• On Human Work (Laborem

Exercens John Paul II 1981)

Liberation Liberation from oppressive social,

political, and economic situations and structures is an important part of the church’s

activity. Liberation, however, must

encompass the entire person, including the spiritual and religious

dimensions.• Revelation 21:1-4• The missionary Activity of the

Church (Ad Gentes 1965 VC II)• Authority in Human Society (CC

1897-1904)• Poverty of Heart (CC 2544-

2547)• Hunger (CC 2831)