Principle of Catholic Social Teaching
(Adopted From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
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The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
“Human life is sacred. The dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision of society. Direct attacks on innocent persons are never morally acceptable, at any stage or in any condition. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion. Other direct threats to the sanctity of human life include euthanasia, human cloning, and the destruction of human embryos for research.” Faithful Citizenship (2007, #44)
Call to Family, Communion, and Participation
The human person is both sacred and social. We realize our dignity and rights in relationship with others, in community. “We are one body; when one suffers, we all suffer.” We are called to respect all of God's gifts of creation, to be good stewards of the earth and each other.
Rights and Responsibilities
People have a fundamental right to life, food, shelter, health care, education and employment. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities to respect the rights of others in the wider society and to work for the common good.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation. We are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor.
Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
People have a right to decent and productive work, fair wages, private property and economic initiative. The economy exists to serve people, not the other way around.
Solidarity
We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. We are called to work globally for justice.
Care for God's Creation
Catholic tradition insists that 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 which cannot be ignored. |
