catholic social justice test

life and dignity of the human person 

In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong.

call to family, community, and participation

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society -- in economics and politics, in law and policy -- directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

rights and responsibilities

The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency.

option for the poor and vulnerable

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

the dignity of work and worker’s rights

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

solidarity

We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice

care for god’s creation

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of Gods creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

7 themes of CTS

dignity of the human person

our inherent value as god’s children

This dignity is rooted in the belief that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, endowed with a spiritual and immortal soul, intelligence, and free will. 

solidarity

Solidarity in Catholic social teaching is defined as a moral virtue that emphasizes the intrinsic social nature of the human person, recognizing the equality of all individuals in dignity and rights. 

subsidiarity

The principle of subsidiarity is defined as the idea that a community of a higher order should not assume tasks that belong to a community of a lower order, thereby depriving it of its authority. Instead, it should support the lower community in case of need. 

right to life

The right to life in Catholic social teaching is understood as the fundamental and inalienable right that every human being possesses from the moment of conception until natural death. This right is rooted in the belief that human life is sacred, created in the image and likeness of God, and thus deserving of respect and protection. 

justice

The virtue of justice, as articulated in Catholic teaching, requires a firm and constant will to give each individual their due, which encompasses both God and neighbor.  

dignity of work 

The dignity of work in Catholic social teaching refers to the inherent value and worth of human labor, which is rooted in the belief that work is a participation in God's creative activity.  

stewardship of creation

Stewardship of creation in Catholic social teaching refers to the responsibility of humanity to care for and manage the environment and its resources in a way that honors God's creation. 

intrinsic evil

inherently wrong actions due to the OBJECT of the deed

encyclical

a papal letter to the bishops of the church

moral sins

7 deadly sins

rerum novarum

wages need to be fair, organized labor, states protect the poor, charity

Pope Leo XIII, 1891

gaudium et spes

church engaging in society, dignity of people, justice, peace, common good

Pope Paul VI, 1965

Laudato Si

care for creation, earth is in danger, climate change

Pope Francis, 2015