How do we connect our faith with everyday life? How does our faith help us to build a better world? What are the concrete ways in which we can out into practice the Gospel command to “love our neighbour?”
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness among the challenges of modern society. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.
In these brief reflections, we highlight the 7 key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.
1. Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
2. Family & Community
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
3. Rights & 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. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities–to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
4. Option for the Poor
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s love for the poor; indeed, Jesus identifies himself with the poor. 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.
5. Dignity of Work
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 God’s creation. 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.
6. 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. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
7. Care for God’s Creation
Creation is the order of God’s love and a place for us to encounter God. 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 God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
(Adapted from “Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions” by USCCB)