Catholic Social Teaching: Key Themes and Modern Applications

Dignity of the Human Person

Every person = sacred (made in God's image)

Call to Family & Community

We are meant to live in relationships

Rights & Responsibilities

You have rights, but also duties to others

Option for the Poor & Vulnerable

Help those most in need first

Dignity of Work & Rights of Workers

Work should respect human dignity (fair wages, safe conditions)

Solidarity

We are one human family

Care for God's Creation

Protect the environment

Capitalism

Private ownership, free market

Pros of Capitalism

Innovation, choice

Cons of Capitalism

Inequality, can ignore poor

Socialism

Government helps control economy, more equal distribution

Pros of Socialism

Less inequality

Cons of Socialism

Less incentive, efficiency issues

Communism

No private property, everything shared

Pros of Communism

Total equality (in theory)

Cons of Communism

No freedom, often leads to dictatorship

Fascism

Strong central dictator, extreme nationalism

Pros of Fascism

Order, unity (sometimes)

Cons of Fascism

No freedom, oppression

Democracy

Power comes from the people

Pros of Democracy

Freedom, participation

Cons of Democracy

Slow, can be messy

Rerum Novarum

First major CST document

Quadragesimo Anno

Introduced subsidiarity

Pacem in Terris

Focus on peace + human rights

Gaudium et Spes

Church in the modern world

Laborem Exercens

Work is central to dignity

Laudato Si'

Environment + social justice

Human Dignity (Imago Dei)

Everyone has value

Common Good

Society should help everyone thrive

Subsidiarity

Handle issues at the lowest level possible

Preferential Option for the Poor

Prioritize the vulnerable