Comprehensive Study Guide: Catholic Social Teaching & Human Rights

Dignity of Work and Workers' Rights

Principle that the economy must serve people, work reflects participation in God's creation, and workers' rights must be protected.

Ethical Trade

Trade practices prioritizing fair wages, safe conditions, and sustainability over maximizing profit.

Objective Dimension of Work

The external aspect of work: what the worker produces (the product, technology, or service).

Subjective Dimension of Work

The internal aspect of work: who is doing the work and its value based on human dignity.

Just Working Conditions

A safe environment with reasonable hours, fair rest, and freedom from harm.

Minimum Wage

The lowest legally mandated pay rate; does not guarantee covering basic living costs.

Living Wage

A wage high enough to afford basic needs (food, shelter, healthcare) and modest savings.

Stereotype

An oversimplified, fixed belief about a specific group of people.

Prejudice

A preconceived, typically negative opinion formed before knowing the facts.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment of groups based on race, sex, age, or class (prejudice put into action).

Vulnerable Workers

Workers facing high risk of exploitation due to legal status, poverty, or lack of protection.

Agricultural Workers

Farmers and crop harvesters who face harsh conditions, seasonal instability, and low protection.

Day Laborers

Workers hired and paid day-to-day without contracts, benefits, or job security.

Migrant Workers

People moving places for temporary work, facing language barriers and legal vulnerabilities.

Rerum Novarum

1891 encyclical by Pope Leo XIII that began modern CST; defended fair wages and unions.

Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

CST principle that society must prioritize the needs of the most marginalized and powerless.

Poverty

Lacking the resources or money needed to meet basic human needs and live with dignity.

Marginalized Populations

Groups pushed to the fringes of society and excluded from economic or political power.

Liberation Theology

1960s Latin American movement viewing freedom from social and economic oppression as central to the Gospel.

Solidarity & Peacemaking

Viewing all people as family and working together to build peace by fixing root causes of conflict.

Conflict

A serious disagreement or struggle between opposing forces or groups.

Pacifism

The belief that war and violence are unjustifiable and disputes should be settled peacefully.

Shalom

Hebrew word for 'peace' meaning wholeness, harmony, and right relationships, not just lack of war.

Explicit Violence

Direct, visible physical force causing injury or death (e.g., war, murder).

Hidden Violence

Systemic harm caused by structures, laws, or poverty without using physical weapons.

Psychological Violence & Commandment to Love Your Neighbor

Emotional harm that destroys self-worth, violating Jesus's command to respect human dignity.

Laudato Si'

2015 encyclical by Pope Francis calling for global action to care for the environment.

Renewing the Earth

The call to protect and heal the environment for future generations.

Dominance (in reference to creation)

The false belief that humans can exploit and destroy nature without moral limits.

Stewardship / Stewardship Relationship

The role of humans as responsible caretakers and protectors of God's creation.

Equality

The truth that all humans have equal value because they are made in God's image.

Indifference

Lack of interest or empathy toward human suffering or environmental destruction.

Rights

Claims to conditions needed for a dignified life (e.g., food, shelter, freedom).

Responsibilities

Duties to respect others' rights and contribute to the common good.

Rights and Responsibilities Connection

The concept that every human right comes with a duty to uphold it for others.

Reciprocal Relationship

A mutual, two-way connection (e.g., between humans and nature).

Globalization

Global interconnectedness that can spread wealth but also exploit poorer nations.

Place at the Table

Ensuring marginalized people have a voice in social and economic decisions.

Pacem in Terris

1963 encyclical by Pope John XXIII stating peace requires truth, justice, and human rights.

Common Good

Social conditions that allow all people to reach their full human potential.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation

CST principle that society must support families and allow everyone to participate in public life.

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Core CST principle: human life is sacred from conception to natural death.

Rights are not absolute

Individual rights are limited by the rights of others and the common good.

Rutilio Grande

Salvadoran Jesuit priest assassinated in 1977 for defending poor peasants; his death transformed Romero.

The 14 Families

The small, wealthy oligarchy that historically controlled El Salvador's land and wealth.

FMLN

Left-wing guerrilla coalition that fought the military government in the Salvadoran Civil War.

La Matanza

The 1932 massacre where the Salvadoran military killed tens of thousands of indigenous peasants.

The Church (division)

Internal split between elites wanting a politically quiet Church and reformers supporting the poor.

Martyr

A person killed because of their faith or witness to Christian justice.

Romero

St. Óscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador; assassinated in 1980 for speaking out against violence.

Romero as a 'safe' choice

Chosen as Archbishop because he was seen as a quiet conservative who wouldn't challenge elites.

Romero's conversion

His shift to actively defending the poor after the assassination of his friend, Fr. Rutilio Grande.