{"id":28403,"date":"2019-04-15T04:17:43","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T04:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/capp.mystagingwebsite.com\/?page_id=28403"},"modified":"2026-03-13T14:44:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T14:44:33","slug":"what-is-catholic-social-teaching","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/es\/what-is-catholic-social-teaching\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Catholic Social Teaching"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What Is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/h1>\n

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CAPP-USA, the United States affiliate of the Vatican-based Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice<\/a>, introduces Catholic Social Teaching\u2014its foundations in Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium; its core principles of human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity; and its application to modern social and economic life.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Mosaic (2)” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”90%” max_width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px||50px” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”90%” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”M-2_grid” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (1) – gap fill” module_class=”M-2_grid-item M-2_grid-item1 grid-item_gap-fill” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover=”50%”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (1)” module_class=”M-2_grid-item M-2_grid-item1 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” header_font=”||||||||” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/180924_D_Meta.png” text_orientation=”center” hover_transition_delay=”50ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease-in-out” global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ background__hover_enabled=”on” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on” filter_opacity__hover=”100%”]<\/p>\n

It is Not Liberal<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/div>\n
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It is Not Conservative<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It is Charity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ custom_padding=”|40px|10px|” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Origin of Catholic Social Teaching<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|40px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]Catholic social teaching<\/strong> has a long and rich history. It is both old, in that it presents timeless\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>values<\/strong>, and new, as it constantly reflects the world around us<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>as it is.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Catholic social teaching emerged in the late nineteenth century<\/strong> when the world was in trouble. Radical changes were taking place in politics, economics and society. The Industrial Revolution was at its height. Major dislocations of pastoral people to squalid industrial centers disrupted the way of life millions had known for generations. Mass migrations from Europe were splitting families. The writings of Karl Marx had taken root in widespread communist movements. “A traditional society was passing away and another beginning to be formed \u2013 one which brought the hope of new freedoms but also the threat of new forms of injustice and servitude.”\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 4)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/b><\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/800px-Lewis_Hine_Glass_works_midnight_Indiana_1908.jpg” alt=”What is Catholic social teaching? in a black and white photograph two boys in poor clothes stand in a glassworks” title_text=”800px-Lewis_Hine_Glass_works_midnight_Indiana_1908″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/800px-Lewis_Hine_Glass_works_midnight_Indiana_1908.jpg” alt=”What is Catholic social teaching? in a black and white photograph two boys in poor clothes stand in a glassworks” title_text=”800px-Lewis_Hine_Glass_works_midnight_Indiana_1908″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ custom_padding=”||10px|40px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”20px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Origin of Catholic Social Teaching<\/h4>\n

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Catholic social teaching<\/strong> has a long and rich history. It is both old, in that it presents timeless\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>values<\/strong>, and new, as it constantly reflects the world around us<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>as it is.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Catholic social teaching emerged in the late nineteenth century<\/strong> when the world was in trouble. Radical changes were taking place in politics, economics and society. The Industrial Revolution was at its height. Major dislocations of pastoral people to squalid industrial centers disrupted the way of life millions had known for generations. Mass migrations from Europe were splitting families. The writings of Karl Marx had taken root in widespread communist movements. “A traditional society was passing away and another beginning to be formed \u2013 one which brought the hope of new freedoms but also the threat of new forms of injustice and servitude.”\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 4)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”50px||50px|” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||50px|” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/108-0-1.jpg” alt=”what is catholic social teaching? Pope Leo XIII defined it in broad strokes in Rerum Novarum” title_text=”108-0 (1)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ custom_padding=”||10px|40px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”10px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Rerum Novarum<\/h4>\n

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At the height of this clash Pope Leo XIII interceded<\/strong>. In his landmark encyclical of 1891, Rerum\u00a0<\/span>Novarum, the Pope, and the Church with him, confronted a society torn by dispute and addressed it in pointed terms. This is where our story begins. We invite you to join us as we unfold this wonderful Church teaching \u2013 Catholic Social Doctrine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Leo XIII\u2019s letter began the modern systematization of the Church\u2019s reflection on social issues<\/strong>, which had been ongoing for millennia. In a sense the Pope\u2019s letter claimed the Church\u2019s \u201ccitizenship status\u201d. The Church recognized her right and duty to address the changing realities of public life and to suggest genuine solutions. \u201cIn the face of a conflict which set man against man\u201d Pope Leo XIII, for the first time, both established and firmly defended the Church\u2019s moral authority to promote justice in public life and, by so doing, \u201ccreated a lasting paradigm for the Church\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 5)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Pius XI stated: “Leo\u2019s Encyclical has proved itself the Magna Charta upon which all Christian activity in the social field ought to be based, as on a foundation.” (Quadragesimo Anno, 14)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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In fact, this Church teaching is so important and comprehensive that Pope St. John Paul II called on lay Catholic leaders to form their consciences on the tenets of the Church\u2019s social doctrine. (Ecclesia in America, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Catholic social teaching has even \u201cgradually and imperceptibly worked its way into the minds of those outside Catholic unity who do not recognize the authority of the Church. Catholic principles on the social question have as a result, passed little by little into the patrimony of all human society.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Pius XI, 21)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Catholic social teaching<\/strong> explores the three key principles (Human Dignity, Solidarity, Subsidiarity) underlying evaluation of all political, economic and cultural issues. Knowledge of these principles, in combination with our faith<\/strong>, provides<\/strong> the foundation to address current social questions<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n

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Not Conservative or Liberal<\/h4>\n

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Catholic social teaching is about principles not positions. It endorses neither side of a political argument because these principles (human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity) are often lost in political wrangling over \u201cpositions\u201d. By overlooking the principles of Catholic social teaching, governments fail to consider all aspects of policy decisions to the detriment of the common good.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Individuals of the \u200bright<\/em>\u200b<\/strong> may latch on to the endorsement of free markets as an \u201cimportant source of wealth and should be viewed carefully and favorably\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II,\u00a040)<\/em><\/a> and draw great comfort from that fact \u2013 while forgetting<\/strong> about the evils of consumerism, improper business activities and the fact that their brothers and sisters are in dire economic straits.<\/p>\n

Individuals<\/strong> of the \u200bleft<\/em>\u200b<\/strong> might focus primarily or only on the principle of solidarity and the Church\u2019s endorsement of the \u201cpreferential option for the poor\u201d. These are individuals who have been enamored of government responses to the social problems, ignoring<\/strong> the clear call of Catholic social teaching for free markets and Subsidiarity.<\/p>\n

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Most Importantly<\/h4>\n

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– both sides often fail<\/strong> to implement Catholic social teaching through their\u00a0lives. And both run the risk of forgetting a key message of Catholic social teaching:\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u00a0is clear that no economic, social or political project can replace the gift of self to another\u2026 <\/strong>He who does not give God gives too little\u201d.<\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” width=”80%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” link_option_url_new_window=”on” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display,Open Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Pope Benedict XVI<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_position=”bottom” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”50px||50px||true|” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ custom_padding=”||10px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

So, What Is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”80%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Playfair Display,Open Sans” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Catholic social teaching proposes a set of principles [Human Dignity, Solidarity, Subsidiarity]<\/strong> on which to form our conscience and then act in society.\u00a0Because every life has value and is sacred, it should be protected by society.\u00a0The principles of solidarity and subsidiarity mean people must participate in society<\/strong>.<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” header_5_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

To what end?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”80%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||30px” link_option_url_new_window=”on” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display,Open Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

To provide criteria for forming our cultural, economic, and political positions<\/strong> \u2013 based on the principles of Catholic social teaching and for the Common Good.\u00a0The lessons of Catholic social teaching are always relevant. They provide guidance on how individuals can be better citizens.\u00a0These lessons also guide social institutions in creating<\/strong>\u00a0environments<\/strong> in which all<\/b> can<\/strong> prosper<\/strong> (i.e. promote the common good).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read more” open_toggle_text_color=”#054368″ open_toggle_background_color=”#F2F2F2″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#054368″ closed_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”80%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]While Catholic social teaching\u00a0\u00a0\u201cis not an economic or political\u00a0programme\u2026it offers a powerful way of thinking about what the common good requires, and how structures in society can promote or undermine human well-being and the requirements of justice.\u201d\u00a0(Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

This is a critical point<\/strong>! As Pope Francis points out, apart from understanding Catholic social teaching \u201ceach individual becomes the criterion for measuring himself and his own actions\u2026This leads to an effective lack of concern for others and\u2026to human impoverishment and cultural aridity\u201d where \u201cwe no longer have the capacity to build authentic human relationships\u201d.\u00a0(Address to the Council of Europe)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

LEARN MORE<\/a><\/span>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”200ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”50px||50px|” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/AdobeStock_110432308.jpeg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”||10px|40px” custom_padding_tablet=”10px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”29px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It Is Charity!<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”||30px|40px|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

We must understand: to practice Catholic social teaching is\u00a0charity.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharity is at the heart of the Church\u2019s social doctrine.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 2)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, \u201cTo defend the truth, to articulate it with humility and conviction, and to bear witness to it in our life are\u2026exacting and indispensable forms of charity\u201d.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The practice of Catholic social teaching \u201cis the institutional path \u2014 we might also call it the political path \u2014 of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbor directly<\/strong>\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

And, \u201cWe must participate in politics because politics is one of the highest forms of charity<\/strong> because it seeks the common good. And Christian lay people must work in politics.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read more” icon_color=”#ffffff” open_icon_color=”#ffffff” module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#ffffff” background_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”|||40px” custom_margin_tablet=”|||0px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

This has been clear for decades. Pope Pius XII told us, \u201cThe social program of the Catholic Church is based upon three powerful pillars: truth, justice and Christian charity.\u201d (Pope Pius XII, Message to German Catholics, September 4, 1949)<\/p>\n

Charity<\/em>\u200b can be expressed in various ways: \u200bcorporal works of mercy; spiritual works of mercy;<\/em>\u200b or, implementing the tenets of Catholic social teaching<\/em>\u200b in society. This inaccurate labeling (of corporal works of mercy as synonymous with the practice of Catholic social teaching) obscures our recognition that, in charity, we have a similarly binding requirement to confront improper and even sinful social \u200bstructures<\/em>\u200b \u2013 the domain of Catholic social teaching.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|off” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”50px||50px|” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ custom_padding=”|40px|10px|” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It Leads to Social Justice<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”0px|40px|30px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]Clothing runs, food drives, home building projects are corporal works of mercy, not social justice<\/strong>.\u00a0Social justice, which is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority, results when \u201cassociations or individuals\u2026obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

This\u00a0correct understanding of social justice\u00a0was made clear by Pope Francis when he observed: \u201cthe duty of social justice… requires\u00a0the\u00a0realignment\u00a0of relationships between stronger and weaker peoples in terms of greater fairness\u201d;\u00a0(World Day of Peace, 2014)<\/a>\u00a0it \u201cupholds the fundamental human right to a dignified life\u201d.\u00a0(Meeting with Political, Economic, and Civil Leaders in Paraguay)<\/a><\/p>\n

A\u00a0hindrance<\/strong>\u00a0thwarting both the\u00a0knowledge\u00a0and\u00a0practice\u00a0of Catholic social teaching is the\u00a0confusion\u00a0caused by diocesan, parish and university student programs and projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019<\/strong> — but which are often endeavors of corporal works of mercy.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read more” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”|40px||” custom_margin_tablet=”|0px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Why does this matter?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By labeling projects to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless \u201csocial justice\u201d we\u00a0inhibit our ability to distinguish\u00a0between corporal works of mercy and the\u00a0practice of Catholic social teaching<\/strong>\u00a0thus obscuring our recognition that,\u00a0in charity, we have a similarly binding requirement to\u00a0confront improper and even sinful social structures\u00a0\u2013 the\u00a0domain of Catholic social teaching.<\/span>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/AdobeStock_59474279-resize.jpg” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”50px||50px|” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/AdobeStock_59474279-resize.jpg” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ custom_padding=”|40px|10px|” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It Leads to Social Justice<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”0px|40px|30px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Clothing runs, food drives, home building projects are corporal works of mercy, not social justice<\/strong>.\u00a0Social justice, which is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority, results when \u201cassociations or individuals\u2026obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

This\u00a0correct understanding of social justice\u00a0was made clear by Pope Francis when he observed: \u201cthe duty of social justice… requires\u00a0the\u00a0realignment\u00a0of relationships between stronger and weaker peoples in terms of greater fairness\u201d;\u00a0(World Day of Peace, 2014)<\/a>\u00a0it \u201cupholds the fundamental human right to a dignified life\u201d.\u00a0(Meeting with Political, Economic, and Civil Leaders in Paraguay)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0hindrance<\/strong> thwarting both the knowledge and practice of Catholic social teaching is the\u00a0confusion\u00a0caused by diocesan, parish and university student programs and projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019<\/strong> — but which are often endeavors of corporal works of mercy.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read more” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”|40px||” custom_margin_tablet=”|0px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Why does this matter?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By labeling projects to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless \u201csocial justice\u201d we\u00a0inhibit our ability to distinguish\u00a0between corporal works of mercy and the\u00a0practice of Catholic social teaching<\/strong>\u00a0thus obscuring our recognition that,\u00a0in charity, we have a similarly binding requirement to\u00a0confront improper and even sinful social structures\u00a0\u2013 the\u00a0domain of Catholic social teaching.<\/span>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”10px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”|40px|10px|” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Major Themes of Catholic Social Teaching<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”0px|40px|0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The definition of Catholic social teaching involves a deeper look into certain major themes.<\/span><\/h5>\n
These are the ends the principles are working towards.<\/span><\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset=”0px” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”50px||10px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”0px|40px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Common Good<\/span><\/h4>\n

This concept represents “the sum total of social conditions<\/strong> which allow people, either as\u00a0<\/span>groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily”.\u00a0(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906)<\/em><\/a><\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/the-common-good\/” button_text=”Learn more about the Common Good” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”20px|40px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Preferential Option for the Poor<\/span><\/h4>\n

Catholic social teaching insists a society is evaluated based on how it treats those who\u00a0<\/span>are most vulnerable. It “demands before all else an appreciation of the immense\u00a0<\/span>dignity of the poor\u201d.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 158)<\/a> and an understanding of “who is poor”. I.e., it “extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.”\u00a0<\/span>(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2444)<\/em><\/a>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/preferential-option-for-the-poor\/” button_text=”Learn more about the Preferential Option” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”20px|40px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Dignity of Work<\/span><\/h4>\n

How important is dignified work? \u201c[T]he door to the dignity of a man is work.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a> \u201c[W]ork is a key, probably the essential key, to the whole social question\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 3)<\/a> “We were created with a vocation to work<\/span>“. (Pope Francis, 128)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/dignity-of-work\/” button_text=”Learn more about the Dignity of Work” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”0px|40px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Universal Destination of Goods<\/span><\/h4>\n

This holds that “The goods of creation are destined for the entire human race”\u00a0(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2452)<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for “the sustenance of all its members, without excluding or favoring anyone.”\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 31)<\/a><\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/universal-destination-of-goods\/” button_text=”Learn more about the Universal Destination” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”20px|40px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Right to Private Property<\/span><\/h4>\n

Catholic social teaching points out that private property is closely entwined with the\u00a0<\/span>dignity of work and “The practice of all ages has consecrated the principle of private\u00a0ownership”.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Leo XIII, 11)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>This right must be protected by our social institutions.<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/right-to-private-property\/” button_text=”Learn more about Private Property Rights” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Catholic Social Teaching addresses Society’s Structures and the Pathologies infecting them.<\/span><\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset=”0px” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”50px||8px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|40px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

The Four Dangers to Society<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Church\u00a0identifies four pathologies<\/strong> or major \u2018risks and problems’ eating away at the cultural, economic, and political systems of the developed world and begins to identify how to cure them.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/pathologies-overview\/” button_text=”Learn more about the Four Pathologies” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”0px|40px|10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Structures of Society<\/span><\/h4>\n

Pope St. John Paul II established the need to maintain vibrant and critical interaction among\u00a0<\/span>economics<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>culture<\/strong>, and\u00a0<\/span>politics<\/strong>; emphasizing that of these three \u2013 culture is the most important. (Centesimus Annus)<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/structures-of-society\/” button_text=”Learn more about the Structures” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_padding=”||10px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font_size=”20px” width=”80%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”1px|40px|30px|” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Based on the three key principles<\/strong> of Human Dignity, Solidarity, and Subsidiarity, the Catholic Church has done a lot of thinking and reflecting on macro societal issues:<\/h5>\n