Copyright 2011 - John M. Kingery
The seven items depicted in the image and described below are the key principles of Catholic social teaching. The have been described as the ‘heart’ of Catholic social tradition. A tradition built upon the gospels and Hebrew scriptures, and biblical tradition.
Human Dignity – All human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
Community, Family, Participation – The person is not only sacred but also social.
Rights and Responsibilities – Fundamental right to life and things required for human decency. Duties and respsonsibility
to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Option for the Poor – A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. Our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers – The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.
Solidarity – We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.
At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace.
Care for Creation – We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.