{"id":45037,"date":"2022-03-02T17:51:27","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T17:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cappusa.wpengine.com\/?p=45037"},"modified":"2026-03-27T22:02:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T22:02:07","slug":"caritas-in-veritate-summary-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/es\/2022\/03\/caritas-in-veritate-summary-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"A Summary of Caritas in Veritate Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_color=”#054368″ height=”35px” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”35px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” max_height=”35px” max_height_tablet=”” max_height_phone=”35px” max_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”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 module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ 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” min_height=”35px” height=”35px” max_height=”35px” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/caritas-in-veritate-summary-part-1\/#newsletter” button_text=”Join our Newsletter” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600|||||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”2px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|50px|0px|50px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-family: %22Playfair Display%22″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ 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 _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||50px||false|false” background_color_phone=”#FFFFFF” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_enable_color_phone=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text ol_item_indent=”20px” module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font_size=”16px” ol_line_height=”1.7em” quote_text_color=”#eb7425″ quote_font_size=”17pt” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” max_width=”75%” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Caritas in Veritate Summary: Capstone and New Direction (Part 1 of 5)<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

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by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

Pope Benedict’s Caritas in Veritate is seminal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A Caritas in Veritate Summary<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n


A summary of Caritas in Veritate<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(CIV) begins with understanding its importance and requires recognizing its complexity and ambition and also its simplicity.<\/span><\/p>\n

In CIV, Pope Benedict XVI confirms the “details” of Catholic social teaching while taking it \u201cbeyond\u201d these particulars: Pope Benedict XVI made clear that a main goal of Caritas in Veritate is to move Catholic social teaching in a different direction.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

So, while there is much in Caritas that addresses specifics (mobility of labor, ethical tourism, water rights, energy distribution, migration, development aide, etc.) Pope Benedict XVI takes Catholic social teaching \u201cbeyond\u201d these by focusing the Church\u2019s social teaching on the need to consider man in all his aspects<\/strong> – especially his spiritual development and needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s look at the context of Caritas in Veritate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continuity and Change<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n


The first clue we have of this new direction<\/strong> is CIV was not given in 2011 \u2013 as previous, seminal social letters routinely followed Rerum Novarum’s<\/a> 1891 anniversary dating (Quadragesimo Anno<\/a><\/span>, 1931; Radio Message<\/a><\/span>, 1941; Mater et Magistra<\/a>, 1961; Octogesima Adveniens<\/a>, 1971; Centesimus Annus<\/a>, 1991).<\/p>\n

Rather, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his conviction that “Populorum Progressio deserves to be considered \u2018the Rerum Novarum of the present age<\/strong>,\u2019 shedding light upon humanity\u2019s journey toward unity.” (Caritas in Veritate, 8)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

He went on to state that Pope St. John Paul II was the first to recognize Populorum Progressio’s<\/a><\/span> significance in 1987 with Sollicitudo rei Socialis<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

So, CIV develops the stream of thought begun by Pope St. Paul VI<\/strong> in 1967\u2019s Populorum Progressio, continued by Pope St. John Paul II\u2019s Sollicitudo rei Socialis in 1987 and memorialized and extended by Pope Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further recognizing Pope St. John Paul II\u2019s contribution in creating this new \u2018thread\u2019 and tradition of Catholic social teaching, Pope Benedict XVI noted that “Until that time [the 1991 publication of Centesimus Annus], only Rerum Novarum had been commemorated in this way\u201d (CIV, 8)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charity is the Heart of Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n


Pope Benedict XVI indissolubly roots Catholic social teaching with the Theological virtue of Charity: “Charity is at the heart of the Church\u2019s social doctrine<\/strong>” (CIV, 2)<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is reflected by Pope Benedict even placing love as the central concept in the very title of the encyclical: Caritas in Veritate \u2013 Love in Truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

And this is not some theoretical link \u2013 it has very practical implications: “To defend the truth, to articulate it with humility and conviction, and to bear witness to it in our life are therefore exacting and indispensable forms of charity<\/strong>“. (CIV, 1)<\/a>\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Benedict XVI continues this point throughout CIV: “‘Caritas in Veritate’ is the principle around which the church\u2019s social doctrine turns<\/strong>” (CIV, 6)<\/a> and “Justice is the primary way of charity” while “on the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it.” (CIV, 60)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: What is Charity?<\/a><\/span> and Charity vs. Justice<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Benedict XVI also observes that just as Catholic social teaching addresses the common good and structures of society, \u201ccharity can be recognized as an authentic expression of humanity and as an element of fundamental importance in human relations, including those of a public nature” (CIV, 3)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

He goes even further stating, “Only in charity<\/strong>, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals<\/strong> that possess a more humane and humanizing value.” (CIV, 9)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Implementing Catholic social teaching, which is the route to true human development, requires that we act, always, in charity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

“Charity is at the heart of the Church\u2019s social doctrine” (CIV, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A New Direction<\/span><\/h2>\n


This ‘different direction’ for Catholic social teaching is summarized by focusing on<\/strong> one’s interior motivation<\/strong> rather than actions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Benedict XVI recognizes, just as Pope St. Paul VI did, \u201cthe causes of underdevelopment<\/strong> are not primarily of the material order.\u201d They are to be found<\/strong>, \u201cfirst of all, in the will<\/strong>, which often neglects the duties of solidarity; second, in thinking<\/strong>, which does not always give proper direction to the will. (CIV, 19)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Meaning of Caritas in Veritate<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n


What does this mean for us? Caritas in Veritate grounds Catholic social teaching in Charity and emphasizes the new direction of focusing interiorly. Now, let’s investigate five major themes:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Catholic social teaching is based on and in faith. Personal conversion is required<\/strong> to truly implement Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Development must be integral <\/strong>\u2013 involving all aspects of humanity not just the material.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Catholic social teaching is a “requirement” of lay spirituality<\/strong> – living out our lives in the world.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. The inclusion of family and life issues in CST, begun by Pope St. John Paul II in Centesimus Annus<\/span><\/a>, is completed in CIV: \u201crespect for life\u2026cannot in any way be detached from questions concerning the development of peoples<\/strong>\u2026Openness to life is at the center of true development<\/strong>. When a society moves toward the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man\u2019s true good. (CIV, 28)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. The Catholic social teaching principles of Solidarity<\/a><\/span> and Subsidiarity<\/a>, occasionally presented as independent, or even ‘competing’, are united in CIV.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Read more: The Practical Value of Solidarity and Subsidiarity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    A Rerum Novarum Summary<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    The Role of Laity According to Vatican II Pt. 1<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    The Role of Laity According to Vatican II Pt. 2<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    The Importance of Centesimus Annus<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Pope Benedict XVI: A Caritas in Veritate Overview<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    A Summary of Caritas in Veritate Part 2<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    A Summary of Caritas in Veritate Part 3<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    A Summary of Caritas in Veritate Part 4<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    A Summary of Caritas in Veritate Part 5<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    A Laudato Si Summary<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    A Dilexi Te Summary<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/caritas-in-veritate-summary-part-2\/” button_text=”Part 2″ button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” 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 _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/magisterial-resources\/” button_text=”Magisterial Documents” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” 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 _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” 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_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”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=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ 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_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

    Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

    This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

    Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

    Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n

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