Catholic Social Teaching
"Catholic Social Teaching" is the term used to describe the collected teachings of the church on social issues as found in papal encyclicals and statements, documents from the Second Vatican Council and Synods of Bishops, and bishops' statements from the U.S. and other national bishops conferences throughout the past century. Rooted always in Sacred Scripture, these teachings explore and express the social demands of our faith.
"The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. It offers moral principles and coherent values that are badly needed in our time. In this time of widespread violence and diminished respect for human life and dignity in our country and around the world, the Gospel of life and the biblical call to justice need to be proclaimed and shared with new clarity, urgency and energy."
"We emphasize that the values of the Church's social teaching must not be treated as tangential or optional. They must be a core part of teaching and formation. Without our social teaching, schools, catechetical programs, and other formation programs would be offering an incomplete presentation of our Catholic tradition."
From Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (Reflections of the U.S. Catholic bishops, June 19, 1998)
Among the major themes of Catholic social teaching are:
- The Life and Dignity of the Human Person, from Conception to Natural Death
- Call to Family and Community Life
- The Right and Duty to Participate in Social, Economic and Political Life
- Advancing the Common Good
- Promoting Human Rights and Responsibilities
- Promoting Peace and Social Justice
- Special Care and Concern for the Poor and Vulnerable
- The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
- Solidarity – Loving our Neighbor Locally and Globally
- Caring for God's Creation: Stewardship of the Earth
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