Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching provides guidance on how to build a just society and live holy lives in modern times. This teaching is based on a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents.

Key Themes

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person

• Human life is sacred and forms the foundation of moral vision for society.
• Human life is under threat from various sources such as abortion, euthanasia, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty.
• War and terrorism, particularly targeting civilians, are condemned.
• Nations must pursue peaceful conflict resolution.
• The value of a person surpasses material goods.

2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation

• Humans are inherently social beings.
• Organization of society affects human dignity and the community's ability to grow.
• Marriage and family are central institutions that need support.
• Everyone has the right and duty to participate in society for the common good, especially for the poor and vulnerable.

3. Rights and Responsibilities

• Human dignity is only protected when human rights are safeguarded.
• Rights include the right to life and elements necessary for human decency.
• Responsibilities correspond to these rights, extending to others, families, and society.

4. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

• The economy should serve people, not vice versa.
• Work is a form of participating in God’s creation.
• Workers’ rights include productive work, fair wages, unionization, private property, and economic initiative.

5. Solidarity

• Humanity is one family beyond differences in nationality, race, economics, and ideology.
• Core principle: Pursuing justice and peace.
• Peace is achieved through justice.
• Promotion of peace is necessary in a violent and conflicted world.

6. Care for God’s Creation

• Stewardship of the earth reflects respect for the Creator.
• Environmental conservation is a faith requirement, addressing moral and ethical dimensions.

Conclusion

• This summary serves as a starting point for understanding Catholic social teaching.
• Full understanding requires engaging with the foundational documents.
• For further reading, texts such as "Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions" and "Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility" are available.

Copyright 2005, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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