Because we have a special interest in the Church's social teaching, we've launched a campaign to raise awareness about this teaching and to spread its principles, the social values associated with it, and point out its fields of application
|
|
The Christian knows that in the social doctrine of the Church can be found the principles for reflection, the criteria for judgment and the directives for action which are the starting point for the promotion of an integral and solidary humanism. Making this doctrine known constitutes, therefore, a genuine pastoral priority, so that men and women will be enlightened by it and will be thus enabled to interpret today's reality and seek appropriate paths of action: “The teaching and spreading of her social doctrine are part of the Church's evangelizing mission”. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #7
|
The permanent principles of the Church's social doctrine constitute the very heart of Catholic social teaching. These are the principles of: the dignity of the human person, … which is the foundation of all the other principles and content of the Church's social doctrine; the common good; subsidiarity; and solidarity
|
|
These principles, the expression of the whole truth about man known by reason and faith, are born of "the encounter of the Gospel message and of its demands summarized in the supreme commandment of love of God and neighbour in justice with the problems emanating from the life of society”. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #16
|
Besides the principles that must guide the building of a society worthy of man, the Church's social doctrine also indicates fundamental values…. All social values are inherent in the dignity of the human person, whose authentic development they foster. Essentially, these values are: truth, freedom, justice, love. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #19
The Church's social doctrine addresses more topics derived from the above: Natural law, The priority of labour over capital, The universal destination of material goods, The inherent connection between truth and human freedom, Integral human development, the preferential option for the poor and many others |
CST Quotes
Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (38), St. John Paul II
|
In relieving our neighbour's suffering and meeting our neighbour's needs, we ar also serving Christ. For the Christian, therefore, there can be no higher privilege and duty. The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales
|
Christ challenges us to see his presence in our neighbour, especially the neighbour who suffers or who lacks what is essential to human flourishing. The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales
|
By encountering God and experiencing his love we learn “to live no longer for ourselves but for him, and, with him, for others”. Pope Benedict 16
|
The common good embraces the sum total of all those conditions of social life which enable individuals, families, and organizations to achieve complete and effective fulfillment. Saint Pope John XXIII
|
Not everyone who cries, "Lord, Lord," will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the Father's will by taking a strong grip on the work at hand. Now, the Father wills that in all men we recognize Christ our brother and love Him effectively, in word and in deed. By thus giving witness to the truth, we will share with others the mystery of the heavenly Father's love. Second Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, #93
|
Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel. World Synod of Catholic Bishops: "Justice in the World", #6
|
Within the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies anyone what is needed for a dignified life. Pope Benedict 16
|
These two criteria are like the pillars of true love: deeds, and the gift of self. Pope Francis
|
All Christians need to work together...in serving the cause of peace and justice in fidelity to the Lord’s will. Pope Benedict 16
|
A prayer that does not lead you to practical action for your brother — the poor, the sick, those in need of help, a brother in difficulty — is a sterile and incomplete prayer. Pope Francis
|
The Church always works for the integral development of every person…She encourages those in power to be truly at the service of the common good of their peoples. Pope Francis
|
There was a time when our grandparents were very careful not to throw away any leftover food. Consumerism has induced us to be accustomed to excess and to the daily waste of food... Let us remember well, however, that whenever food is thrown out it is as if it were stolen from the table of the poor, from the hungry! I ask everyone to reflect on the problem of the loss and waste of food, to identify ways and approaches that, by seriously dealing with this problem, convey solidarity and sharing with the underprivileged. Pope Francis-General Audience on UN World Environment Day 6/5/2013
|
It is no longer man who commands, but money, money, cash commands. And God our Father gave us the task of protecting the earth — not for money, but for ourselves: for men and women. We have this task! Nevertheless, men and women are sacrificed to the idols of profit and consumption: it is the “culture of waste”. Pope Francis-General Audience on UN World Environment Day 6/5/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|