The 10 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

- overview -

 1. DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

THE BASIS FOR ALL THAT THE CHURCH BELIEVES ABOUT THE MORAL DIMENSIONS OF LIFE IS ITS VISION OF THE TRANSCENDENT WORTH,

THE SACREDNESS, OF HUMAN BEINGS.

 2. THE COMMON GOOD

THE HUMAN PERSON IS BOTH SACRED AND SOCIAL. WE REALIZE OUR DIGNITY AND RIGHTS IN RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS, IN COMMUNITY.

 3. OPTION FOR THE POOR

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.

 4. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

HUMAN RIGHTS ARE THE MOST MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR LIFE IN COMMUNITY.  HUMAN RIGHTS INCLUDE NOT ONLY CIVIL AND POLITICAL

RIGHTS BUT ALSO ECONOMIC RIGHTS...FOOD, SHELTER, EDUCATION, MEDICAL CARE, EMPLOYMENT.

 5. ECONOMIC JUSTICE

THE ECONOMY MUST SERVE PEOPLE, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.  ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO WORK, TO DECENT WAGES, TO SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT TO FORM UNIONS AND THE RIGHT TO ECONOMIC INITIATIVE.  PRIVATE PROPERTY IS A RIGHT, BUT THIS RIGHT HAS LIMITS.

 6. THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBSIDIARITY

GOVERNMENT HAS A POSITIVE MORAL FUNCTION - TO PROMOTE HUMAN DIGNITY, TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS, AND BUILD THE COMMON GOOD.

 ALL HAVE A RIGHT AND A DUTY TO PARTICIPATE.

 7. STEWARDSHIP OF GOD'S CREATION

THE GOODS OF THE EARTH ARE GIFTS FROM GOD, INTENDED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.

 8. PROMOTION OF PEACE AND DISARMAMENT

PEACE IS THE FRUIT OF JUSTICE. IT MUST BE ACTIVELY PROMOTED AND BUILT UP.

 9. PARTICIPATION

ALL PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL LIFE OF SOCIETY.

 10. GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPMENT

WE ARE ONE HUMAN FAMILY, CALLED TO WORK FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY, PEACE AND JUSTICE.

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