Ethan Walker
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a central and essential element of the Catholic faith, addressing matters of social, economic, and ecological justice in the world. It is based on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who summarised the commandments with a New Commandment: Love one another, as I have loved you. CST is concerned with human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity, and calls on followers to work to avoid war and protect the right to life. It is critical of modern social and political ideologies of the left and right, including liberalism, atheistic forms of socialism and communism, anarchism, atheism, fascism, capitalism, and Nazism. CST is derived from the Bible and cultures of the ancient Near East, and its roots can be traced to Catholic theologians such as Thomas Aquinas and Augustine of Hippo. While there is no official canon of principles or documents, CST is communicated through formal teaching documents such as encyclicals, apostolic exhortations, letters, and synod documents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Human dignity | Every person is sacred and has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity |
| Social justice | Justice, love, and peace |
| Solidarity | Commitment to the common good |
| Subsidiarity | Support for those at a lower or more local order for the sake of the common good |
| The common good | Every person is precious and has human rights |
| Care for the earth | Protect people and the planet |
| Concern for the poor | God has a special love for the poor |
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Human dignity
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is an area of Catholic doctrine concerned with human dignity and the common good in society. The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of Catholic social teaching.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that every person has human rights. These rights include the right to life from conception unto natural death, to be treated as a person, to socioeconomic and legal equality, to political rights (such as to vote and to free expression and association), to follow one's conscience, to criticism, to civil disobedience, to civil resistance, and to just and fair wages.
Catholic social teaching also emphasizes the dignity of work. In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labour), which advocated for workers' rights and against their exploitation by the rich during the Industrial Revolution. The human person should always come before the pursuit of profit. Work is an essential part of human dignity, and everyone has the right to participate.
Catholic social teaching calls on nations to protect the right to life by finding peaceful means to prevent and resolve conflicts. It also emphasizes the importance of social institutions like marriage and the family, which must be supported and strengthened.
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Solidarity
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is a moral compass that guides people on how to live out their faith in the world. One of the key principles of CST is solidarity, which is a recognition that we are all brothers and sisters, regardless of race, creed, or ethnic background.
Pope Paul VI taught that "if you want peace, work for justice". This is reflected in the Gospel, which calls us to be peacemakers and to promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict. Solidarity is also about recognizing the dignity of all people and working to protect human rights and provide for the necessities of individuals and families.
At its core, solidarity is about pursuing justice and peace, and building relationships of love and justice. It is a recognition that we are all part of one human family, and that we have a responsibility to care for one another, especially the poor and vulnerable. This includes providing for the basic needs of individuals and families and working to address social and economic imbalances that perpetuate poverty and injustice.
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The common good
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is an area of Catholic doctrine concerned with human dignity and the common good in society. It addresses oppression, the role of the state, subsidiarity, social organisation, social justice, and wealth distribution. CST is built on three foundational principles: Human Dignity, Solidarity, and Subsidiarity.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the common good as "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfilment more fully and more easily". It lists three essential elements:
- Respect for the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person.
- Social well-being and development of the group.
- The stability and security of a just order.
CST promotes the idea that people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. It is critical of modern social and political ideologies, including liberalism, capitalism, socialism, communism, anarchism, fascism, and Nazism. Instead, CST emphasises the importance of finding a balance between respect for human liberty and concern for society as a whole.
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Social justice
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is an area of Catholic doctrine concerned with human dignity and the common good in society. It addresses social justice, wealth distribution, and the role of the state. CST is derived from the Bible, Hebrew scriptures, and cultures of the ancient Near East. The teachings are rooted in the social doctrines of the New Testament, the Church Fathers, and the Old Testament.
The foundation of social justice, according to Pope John Paul II, rests on the three cornerstones of human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity. Human dignity is a key principle of Catholic social thought. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that every person has human rights, including the right to life from conception to natural death, socioeconomic and legal equality, and political rights such as the right to vote and free expression.
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. The Church teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. This includes the right to those things required for human decency, such as food, water, and shelter.
The Church also teaches that the right to private property is not absolute and is limited by the concepts of "universal destiny of the goods of the earth" and of social mortgage. This means that goods are meant for everyone, and those who have more have a greater responsibility to contribute to the common good than those who have less.
Catholic social teaching is critical of modern social and political ideologies such as liberalism, atheistic forms of socialism and communism, anarchism, atheism, fascism, capitalism, and Nazism. The Church has distanced itself from capitalism, holding it responsible for grave social injustices. Instead, the Church emphasizes the importance of solidarity and the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice.
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Wealth distribution
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is an area of Catholic doctrine concerned with human dignity and the common good in society. It addresses social justice, wealth distribution, and the role of the state, among other things.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that every person has human rights, including the right to socioeconomic equality, to political rights, and to just treatment. CST is critical of modern social and political ideologies of the left and right, including liberalism, atheistic forms of socialism and communism, anarchism, atheism, fascism, capitalism, and Nazism. It distances itself from capitalism, with Pope John Paul II writing:
> Catholic social doctrine is not a surrogate for capitalism. In fact, although decisively condemning "socialism", the church, since Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum, has always distanced itself from capitalistic ideology, holding it responsible for grave social injustices.
Catholic social teaching recognises the right to private property, but also that it is the duty of the government to help ensure that this private property is distributed justly. It also upholds the dignity of work and participation, and the right to a just wage, time with family, and rest.
CST originated in 1891 with Pope Leo XIII's encyclical, Rerum Novarum, which advocated for workers' rights and against their exploitation by the rich during the Industrial Revolution. The encyclical was followed in parts of Italy by social movements that advocated for the alleviation of local social concerns.
CST is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, Scripture, and the lived experience of the Church. It recognises the importance of real wealth to human well-being and the contribution of business professionals to the creation and distribution of wealth.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a central and essential element of the Catholic faith. It is concerned with human dignity and the common good in society. It addresses matters of social, economic, and ecological justice in the world.
The four most important principles of Catholic Social Teaching are human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity.
Catholic Social Teaching is grounded in Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. It is derived from the Bible and ancient Near East cultures. It is also influenced by the daily experiences of Catholics worldwide and the wisdom of Church leaders.
Catholic Social Teaching is critical of modern social and political ideologies, including liberalism, atheistic forms of socialism and communism, anarchism, atheism, fascism, capitalism, and Nazism. It distances itself from capitalism and condemns socialism.
Catholic Social Teaching provides principles for reflection, criteria for judgment, and guidelines for action. It offers a moral compass to Catholics, inspiring social movements and organizations like CAFOD and Caritas to work towards social justice and support the poorest and most vulnerable.
