Solidarity
Subsidiarity
Unlocking Catholic
Social Teaching
“The social message of the gospel must not be considered a theory, but above all else a basis and a motivation for action.”
Pope St. John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 57
Neither Left Nor Right
Human Dignity
The Common Good
“How then should we live?”
– Tolstoy, 1882
“By her social doctrine the Church makes an effective contribution to the issues presented by the current globalized economy.
Her moral vision in this area ‘rests on the threefold cornerstone of human dignity, solidarity and subsidiarity’.”
Explore the Three Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
What Is The Practical Purpose of Catholic Social Teaching?
To achieve the common good
The common good is the sum total of social conditions which allow people to reach their fulfillment.
It is the result of applying the three principles to governments and economic systems.

Neither Right Or Left
Just as “Christian charitable activity must be independent of parties and ideologies” (Pope Benedict XVI, 31) it must be reiterated and acknowledged that Catholic social teaching is not an endorsement of or for any political teaching. The Church is clear that none of the magisterial documents are teachings to or for the right or the left. Catholic social teaching is neither liberal nor conservative.
However, there are warnings to both sides of the political spectrum.
Social Justice:
It’s Not What You Think
The practice of Catholic social teaching recognizes that, in charity, we have a binding requirement to confront improper and even sinful social structures. “Decisions which create a human environment can give rise to specific structures of sin which impede the full realization of those who are in any way oppressed by them”
What Must I Do?
Our Church Has Issued a Clear Call to Action

Pope St. John Paul II
“A new state of affairs today both in the Church and in social, economic, political and cultural life, calls with a particular urgency for the action of the lay faithful. If lack of commitment is always unacceptable, the present time renders it even more so. It is not permissible for anyone to remain idle.”

Pope Benedict XVI
“Freedom…demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one’s deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate.”

Pope Francis
Participation in politics is a Christian obligation: “We must participate in politics because politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. And Christian lay people must work in politics…”
Contemporary Issues
Catholic social teaching informs our consciences and requires action from us, the lay faithful. “Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy.
It is a moral obligation. For Christians, the responsibility is even greater: it is a commandment.”
This is our job.
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Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, Inc (CAPP-USA) is the United States affiliate of Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice at the Vatican.
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