Pre-Vatican Social Teachings of the Catholic Church

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, documents, virtues, and principles from the lesson on Pre-Vatican social teachings and their role in addressing social inequality.

Social Teachings of the Catholic Church

Official body of doctrine that guides Catholics in responding to social, economic, and political issues with the light of the Gospel.

Social Doctrine

A corpus of Church teaching on societal matters, first labeled by Pope Pius XI and developed from the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum onward.

Rerum Novarum (1891)

Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical defending workers’ rights, just wages, unions, and the role of private property during the Industrial Revolution.

Quadragesimo Anno (1931)

Pope Pius XI’s encyclical marking 40 years after Rerum Novarum, stressing subsidiarity, social justice, and ethical limits on capitalism and socialism.

Mater et Magistra (1961)

Pope John XXIII’s encyclical on global social justice, emphasizing international solidarity, rural development, and fair trade.

Pacem in Terris (1963)

Pope John XXIII’s encyclical advocating universal human rights, nuclear disarmament, and peace founded on truth, justice, love, and freedom.

Preferential Option for the Poor

Moral principle calling the faithful to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable in personal and societal decisions.

Stewardship of Creation

The responsibility to care for and wisely manage Earth’s resources as gifts from God.

Dignity of the Human Person

Core belief that every person is created in God’s image and deserves respect and protection.

Subsidiarity

Principle that social issues should be handled by the smallest competent authority, avoiding unnecessary centralization.

Participation

Right and duty of people to take part in social, economic, and political life that affects them.

Solidarity

Christian virtue of recognizing all people as one human family and acting for the common welfare.

Common Good

Sum total of social conditions that allow individuals and groups to reach their fulfillment more easily.

Seven Deadly Sins

Traditional list of grave vices—pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—that distort human relationships and social justice.

Capital Virtues

Seven opposing virtues—humility, charity, chastity, kindness, temperance, patience, and diligence—that heal personal sin and social inequality.

Pride

Excessive self-love that refuses to recognize God or others; opposed by humility.

Humility

Virtue that acknowledges one’s dependence on God and equality with others, fostering fair treatment of the marginalized.

Greed

Inordinate desire for wealth or possessions; opposed by charity/generosity.

Charity (Generosity)

Self-giving love that shares resources and supports systemic solutions like just wages and community development.

Lust

Disordered desire for sexual pleasure; opposed by chastity.

Chastity

Virtue that respects the dignity of self and others, rejecting exploitation and human trafficking.

Envy

Resentment of another’s goods or success; opposed by kindness.

Kindness

Virtue rejoicing in others’ well-being, reducing social rivalry and division.

Gluttony

Excessive consumption of food, drink, or resources; opposed by temperance.

Temperance

Moderation that ensures equitable use of resources like food, energy, and wealth.

Wrath

Uncontrolled anger seeking harm; opposed by patience.

Patience

Virtue fostering non-violent approaches and reconciliation amid injustice.

Sloth

Avoidance of effort in doing good; opposed by diligence.

Diligence

Steady effort toward building a just society through advocacy, education, and service.

Social Inequality

Unjust disparities in wealth, opportunity, and power arising from personal sin and structural injustice.

True Fasting (Isaiah 58)

Biblical concept where abstinence is paired with acts that break oppression, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless.

Isaiah 58:6-10

Passage teaching that God desires justice-filled action—freeing the oppressed and caring for the afflicted—over mere ritual fasting.

Cheerful Giver

Person who freely shares resources out of love, countering a ‘craving getter’ mentality of materialism.