vocabulary 1

Common Good

The good that is collectively shared by a number of people and that is beneficial for all members of a given community.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Charitable actions that respond to people’s physical needs and show respect for human dignity.

Original Justice

The state of complete harmony of our first parents with themselves, with each other, and with all of creation.

Original Holiness

The original state of human beings in their relationship with God, sharing in the divine life with full communion of Him.

Original Sin

The sin by which the first humans disobeyed God, lost original holiness, and became subject to death; it is transmitted to every person born into the world, except Jesus and Mary.

Social Conscience

A sense of responsibility or concern for the problems and injustices of society.

Social Justice

The defense of human dignity by ensuring that essential human needs are met and that essential human rights are protected for all people.

Justice

The cardinal virtue concerned with the rights and duties within relationships, ensuring that all persons, especially the poor and oppressed, receive what is due to them.

Commutative Justice

This type of justice calls for fairness in agreements and contracts between individuals, an equal exchange of goods, money, or services.

Legal Justice

The social responsibilities that citizens owe their country and society.

Distributive Justice

The responsibility that society has for safeguarding essential human rights and ensuring a just distribution of the earth’s resources, particularly for those whose basic needs are unmet.

Social Doctrine

The body of teaching by the Church on economics and social matters that includes moral judgments and demands for action in favor of those being harmed.

Social Encyclical

A teaching letter from the Pope to the members of the Church on topics of social justice, human rights, and peace.