Catholic Social Teaching Our faith is profoundly social. We cannot be called truly “Catholic” unless we hear and heed the Church's call to serve those in need and work for justice and peace. Communities of Salt and Light, U.S. Bishops, 1993

WHAT IS CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING? Catholic Social Teaching strives to foster a living faith that leads to loving action in the world today. Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is the church’s articulation of its reflection upon human beings in society. It embodies core themes and responses to challenges facing human beings in a complex and changing world.

Catholic Social Teaching CST is not a fixed body of writings or doctrine. It reads the signs of the times. It grows, develops and changes over time. It responds to the complexities of any given time in order to be relevant to the world as it exists.

CST Begins with God and Recognizes: God acts in history. God is present in reality. God’s revelation is ongoing.

WHERE DOES CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING COME FROM? Biblical resources - the revealed and living word of God. Moral resources - it grows out of scripture and engages human reason, knowing, experience. Ecclesial Resources - the writings of the Popes and Bishops.

Major Principles from Catholic Social Teaching 1.Life and Dignity of the Human Person 2.Call to Family, Community, Participation 3.Rights and Responsibilities 4.Option for the Poor and Vulnerable 5.Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers 6.Solidarity 7.Stewardship of God’s Creation

1. Human dignity The person is sacred, made in the image of God.

2. Call to Family and Community We are social beings. We realize our dignity and human potential in our families and communities

3. Rights and Responsibilities Civil/political Economic/social Every person has a right to the basic material necessities that are required to live a decent life.

4. Option for the Poor Giving priority concern to the poor and vulnerable strengthens the health of the whole society

5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers The economy must serve people, not the other way around. People are more important than things. All workers have a right to productive work, to decent wages, and to safe working conditions; No one is allowed to amass excessive wealth when others lack the basic necessities of life.

6. The Virtue of Solidarity Solidarity recognizes that the fates of people of the earth are linked. We are one human family, whatever our racial, national, ethnic, economic, and ideological difference

7. Stewardship of Creation The goods of the earth are gifts. We hold them in trust, as stewards.

Theme: Role of Government The state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good

Theme: Promotion of Peace Peace is not just the absence of war “If you want peace, work for justice.” Pope Paul VI, 1972, World Day of Peace Message