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"Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity. Every human being from conception is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ, and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family." -- Sharing Catholic Social Teachings, Challenges and Directions - U.S. Catholic Bishops - 1998
Catholic social teaching emerges from the truth of what God has revealed about himself. It forms a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges and conflicts of modern society.
The following is excerpted from the publication titled, "Sharing Catholic Social Teaching, Challenges and Directions, Reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops - USCCB, Washington, D.C. 1998
Catholic social teaching has evolved into seven major themes:
- Life and Dignity of the Human Person
In a world warped by materialism and declining respect for human life, the Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. - Call to Family, Community, and Participation
In a global culture driven by excessive individualism, Catholic tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred but also social. The family is the central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. Our Church teaches that the role of government and other institutions is to protect human life and human dignity and promote the common good. - Rights and Responsibilities
In a world where some speak mostly of "rights"and "responsibilities," the Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency.
- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
In a world characterized by growing prosperity for some and pervasive poverty for others, Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgement (Matthew 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. - The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve the people. The human person is not created to serve the economy. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. - Solidarity
Our culture is tempted to turn inward, becoming indifferent and sometimes isolationist in the face of international responsibilities. Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they live. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means learning to "love our neighbor" has global dimensions in an interdependent world. - Care for God's Creation
On a planet conflicted over environmental issues, the Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
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