Grace Thompson
Catholic Social Teaching is a set of doctrines that guide Catholics on how to treat others. It is based on the belief in the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person. This teaching addresses questions of human coexistence, such as Who are we?, What do we owe one another?, How should we live together?, and How can we establish peace and freedom for all?. Catholics are taught to respect the basic rights of workers, stand against religious discrimination, and promote social justice. They are also called to protect the poor and vulnerable, recognizing that all people are brothers and sisters with a responsibility to care for one another.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Human life is sacred | Human life is under attack from abortion, euthanasia, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty |
| Dignity of the human person | Human dignity is threatened by subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, and disgraceful working conditions |
| Solidarity | We are all brothers and sisters with the responsibility to care for one another |
| Respect for religious freedom | The "plan of salvation" includes all people, regardless of their religious affiliation |
| Love for others | Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are qualities to be recognised and celebrated in others |
| Social justice | The poor have the most urgent moral claim on a nation's conscience |
| Peace | We are called to be peacemakers in a world surrounded by violence and conflict |
| Stewardship of creation | We are called to protect people and the planet |
| Basic rights of workers | The right to productive work, fair wages, private property, and the right to organize and join unions |
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What You'll Learn
Respecting the dignity of all people
The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred and that all people must be treated with dignity. Participation in family and community is central to the faith, and from this foundation, people participate in society, fostering a community spirit and promoting the well-being of all, especially those who are poor or vulnerable.
Catholics are called to pay special attention to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. This is reflected in the Church's canon law: "The Christian faithful are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources." Jesus taught that at the Last Judgement, God will ask each person what they did to help the poor and needy: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
The Catholic Worker Movement, founded in 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, is committed to nonviolence, voluntary poverty, prayer, and hospitality for the marginalised and poorest in society. There are over 185 Catholic Worker communities around the world that advocate against injustice, war, racial prejudice, and violence.
Catholics are also taught to respect the dignity of people of other faiths. At Vatican II, the Church highlighted many positive aspects of other religions that are similar to those of the Catholic faith and practice. The Church teaches that the "plan of salvation" includes all people, regardless of their religious affiliation. Since Vatican II, the Church has also been clear that all people have the right to religious freedom and that Catholics should stand up against religious discrimination, even beyond their own faith.
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Protecting the vulnerable and poor
The Catholic 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. The belief in the sacredness of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of the Catholic moral vision. This belief extends to all people, especially those who are poor or vulnerable, as they hold a special place in the kingdom of God.
Catholics are taught to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable, following the example of Jesus, who had a special concern for them. This means defending and promoting their dignity and meeting their immediate material needs. The Church's love for the poor is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes and the poverty of Jesus himself. It is not about pitting one class against another but recognizing that the deprivation and powerlessness of the poor wound the entire community.
The Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of social, political, and economic participation that includes popular movements and gives a voice to the poor, marginalized, and excluded. This includes respecting the basic rights of workers, such as the right to productive work, fair wages, private property, and the right to organize and join unions. The economy should serve people, and all people are brothers and sisters with a responsibility to care for one another, regardless of social or economic status.
Catholics are called to protect people and the planet, living their faith in relationship with all of God's creation. This includes caring for the environment and making moral and ethical choices that protect the ecological balance, both locally and worldwide. In a society divided between rich and poor, Catholics are instructed to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first, as their suffering is a reflection of the community's failure to live in true solidarity.
Practical ways to help the poor and vulnerable are also encouraged, such as holding food drives, offering non-perishable items to food banks, and providing welcome and support to refugees and immigrants.
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Respecting workers' rights
The Catholic Church teaches that work is an essential part of human dignity, and that all people have the right to productive work, decent and fair wages, and decent working conditions. This is reflected in the Bible, which states that "the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it" (Gen 2:15). Work is seen as a way to achieve fulfilment as a human being and to become more of a human being.
Catholics believe that workers have the right to form associations, such as unions, to defend their vital interests and promote social justice. This belief is based on the idea that all people are members of the human family and have a duty to care for one another. The Church has long proclaimed the right of workers to unite in associations, and Pope John Paul II stated that unions are a "mouthpiece for the struggle for social justice".
In addition to the rights to productive work and fair wages, the Catholic Church also teaches that workers have the right to private property and economic initiative. This includes the freedom to pursue economic opportunities and the right to organise and join unions. The Church teaches that the economy should serve people, rather than people serving the economy.
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Protecting the environment
Catholics are taught that God is the creator of all people and all things, and that he wants them to enjoy his creation. This means that Catholics are called to make moral and ethical choices that protect the ecological balance of creation, both locally and worldwide.
Catholics are instructed to care for the environment, which is referred to as "God's creation". This is a requirement of their faith, and it involves respecting human life and dignity, promoting the common good, and having a special responsibility to the poor and vulnerable, who are the most affected by environmental issues and whose voices are often unheard.
The Catholic Church has identified three themes from Catholic Social Teaching that are particularly relevant to environmental concerns:
- Respect for human life and dignity: Catholics should recognise that the relationship between humans and the world is a constitutive part of their identity.
- Promotion of the common good: Catholics should understand that they exist "with and for" others and that their actions should respect and protect the fundamental rights of all humans.
- Solidarity with the poor and vulnerable: Catholics should be aware that environmental issues disproportionately impact the poor and vulnerable, and therefore, they have a responsibility to advocate for and protect these communities.
There are several ways in which Catholics can take action to protect the environment. These include:
- Reducing their carbon footprint by driving less, walking, biking, using public transportation, or carpooling.
- Ensuring their cars are tuned up and tires are properly inflated to increase fuel efficiency.
- Considering purchasing a high-efficiency or hybrid vehicle.
- Getting a home energy audit and following the recommended steps to increase energy efficiency, such as installing better insulation or renewable energy sources like solar panels.
- Advocating for good urban planning and ecologically sound development that respects the natural contours of the land.
- Embracing restraint and moderation in the consumption of material goods, ensuring that concern for the environment does not overtake one's concern for the basic needs of people.
By following these teachings and taking action, Catholics can live out their faith and protect God's creation for future generations.
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Respecting other religions
At Vatican II, the Church explicitly highlighted the positive aspects of other religions that are similar to Catholicism. In the document Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions), the Church praised specific aspects of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Nostra Aetate, written in the wake of the Holocaust, was originally intended as a repudiation of anti-Semitism and a declaration of the Church's relationship with the Jewish people. However, it also included a paragraph on aspects of Muslim belief and practice, affirming that Muslims, Christians, and Jews worship the same God. Since Vatican II, the Church has maintained that all people have the right to religious freedom and that Catholics should oppose religious discrimination, even when it affects those outside their community.
Catholics are taught to recognise the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit in other religions. St. Paul's letter to the Galatians (5:22–23) lists qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. These "fruits of the Holy Spirit" are not unique to Christians and can be found in people of other faiths or no faith at all.
The Catholic Church's teachings on respecting other religions are reflected in the policies of Catholic institutions, such as the Catholic University of America, which welcomes people of all religious traditions into its community. The University affirms that mutual respect is the basis for all relationships on campus, including those involving the practice of the Catholic faith. While the University does not offer designated spaces for the regular worship of other religious communities, it occasionally sponsors ecumenical services and allows groups renting space for conferences to worship on campus on a case-by-case basis.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic teachings view people of other faiths with respect and tolerance. The Church teaches that the "plan of salvation" includes all people, regardless of their religious affiliation. The Church also highlights the positive aspects of other religions that are similar to those of the Catholic faith and practice.
Catholics are called to pay special attention to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. They believe that the basic rights of workers must be respected, including the right to productive work, fair wages, and the right to organize and join unions. Catholics also believe that the poor have the most urgent moral claim on a nation's conscience.
Catholics believe that all human life is sacred and that all people possess an intrinsic worth that is superior to that of material objects. This belief is the foundation of their moral vision for society and includes the right to life, as well as the things required for human decency.
Catholics believe in social justice and the common good in society. They oppose oppression, social inequality, and excessive economic and social disparity, which they believe contradict the Gospel. Catholics also believe that institutions should serve human beings and not exploit them for narrowly defined goals.
Catholic teaching calls on its followers to work to avoid war and resolve conflicts by peaceful means. They believe that the intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong and that nations must protect the right to life.
