Parish Social Ministry
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Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

“Catholic social teaching is a precious treasure – unfortunately, one that is too often buried, a shining light too often kept ‘under a bushel basket.’ In a world threatened by attacks on human life, human dignity, and creation itself, the Church’s social justice teaching offers hope. In a world that has enormous human and technological resources at its disposal for human development, Catholic social teaching offers to humanity a direction and a social vision that mirrors the values of the reign of God that Jesus announced and embodied.” (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Leader’s Guide to Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 2000. 1)

What is Catholic Social Teaching?

Catholic Social Teaching has often been called the "best kept secret" in the Roman Catholic Church. In their document Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops noted this fact when they wrote that "far too many Catholics are not familiar with the basic content of Catholic social teaching." In fact, they add, "many Catholics do not adequately understand that the social teaching of the Church is an essential part of Catholic faith."

Catholic Social Teaching refers to an ever-growing body of official Church documents that articulate the social message of the Gospel and lay a framework for how Catholics should put the principles of their faith into daily, faith-filled action on behalf of the Gospel.

Development of Catholic Social Teaching

Grounded in Sacred Scripture and embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, Catholic Social Teaching has been formed by the experience of the Christian community as it has responded to social justice issues throughout history. The earliest Christian communities understood the implications of the Gospel mandate to love and serve those in need. In the Acts of the Apostles we hear how the people "would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need." (Acts 3:44-45). As the Church grew from a small community living on the edge of the Roman Empire to the principal social institution of medieval Europe, the social implications of the gospel became increasingly imperative in shaping its life. The early monastic orders, in particular, took this responsibility seriously by giving Christ-like love and attention to the poor, the sick, the traveler, the pilgrim, and others in need. And who can forget those saints, and countless others whose names are not recorded in history, who responded to the Gospel by devoting their lives in service to the poor: Vincent de Paul, Katherine Drexel, Damien of Molokai, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Martin De Porres, Francis of Assisi, etc. Throughout history, our social tradition has been put into practice over and over again. All you need to do is look at the number o f hospitals and clinics, disaster relief agencies, orphanages, social service agencies, food kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. which dot out country and our world.

Expressed in acts of charity and justice, our social tradition has also been developed and expressed through various papal encyclicals, documents from church councils, and statements from our bishops which attempt to relate gospel teaching and the traditions of the Church to contemporary human life. Since 1891, in particular, the Catholic Church has begun to articulate in a consciously systematic manner a theology of social justice. This body of teaching is what we commonly call Catholic Social Teaching.

The wealth of the Church's social teaching cannot be simplified or easily summarized. A full understanding can only be achieved by reading the papal, counciliar, and episcopal documents that make up this rich tradition. (SEE RESOURCES). However, seven key themes clearly emerge from the documents:

Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Call to Family, Community and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
The Preferential Option for the Poor
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Global Solidarity
Care of God's Creation

These foundational themes are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition. By exploring them, Catholics can become familiar with the existence and basic message of Catholic social teaching. Together, they show us how to live holy lives and build a just society. Place under the picture:

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