<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
The Rise in Shoplifting<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
No, it’s not<\/strong>. For example, in 2014 California changed a longstanding law classifying shoplifting as a felony to a misdemeanor for goods valued under $950. The result has been to functionally legalize shoplifting, as law enforcement will not devote the manpower, cost, and paperwork to pursue misdemeanors.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe result?<\/strong> Increased theft<\/strong>, coarsening of society<\/strong>, and harm to the poor<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"Did](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/A-young-man-looks-at-shirts-in-a-department-store.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The rise in shoplifting shows a disregard for the right to private property.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“The seventh commandment requires\u2026respect for the right to private property”. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2401)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nIs Stealing Wrong?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Stealing has been recognized as wrong for millennia \u2013 Even extremely wrong: \u201cIf a man practices robbery and is captured, that man shall be put to death. And he that has received the stolen property from him shall be put to death\u201d (Code of Hammurabi, 6 & 22 – c. 1700 B.C.).<\/span><\/p>\nMore familiar to us is the seventh commandment, \u201cYou shall not steal.<\/strong>\u201d (Exodus 20:15)<\/span><\/p>\nPope Leo XIII even warns us that divine law forbids “us in severest terms even to covet that which is another’s”. (Rerum Novarum, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, “There is no culture in which theft and the abuse of property are legal; human sensibility, in fact, is very sensitive in regard to the defense of property.” (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nStealing<\/strong> is destructive of social order and the<\/strong> Common Good<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhy is Shoplifting Wrong?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nSHOPLIFTING HURTS THE POOR<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nWidespread shoplifting impacts the poor<\/strong> disproportionally. It results in store closures in poor areas where residents do not have the means of easily accessing alternative sources for needed products.<\/span><\/p>\nPope Leo XIII correctly foresaw that if private property was taken from rightful owners, it would be the poor who would suffer the most. (Rerum Novarum, 5)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe first and most fundamental principle, therefore, if one would undertake to alleviate the condition of the masses, must be the inviolability of private property<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSHOPLIFTING VIOLATES THE RIGHT TO PRIVATE PROPERTY<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n“Private Ownership is\u2026in accordance with the law of nature.” It “is derived from nature, not from man.” <\/span>(Pope Leo XIII, 9; 47)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“The seventh commandment requires\u2026respect for the right to private property”. <\/span>(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2401)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe right of private ownership\u2026has permanent validity. It is part of the natural order\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSHOPLIFTING VIOLATES HUMAN FREEDOM<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\u201cPrivate ownership must be considered as a guarantee of the essential freedom of the individual\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPrivate property \u201cshould be regarded as an extension of human freedom.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 71)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe exercise of freedom finds its guarantee and incentive in the right of ownership.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPrivate property is \u201cfundamental\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 a requirement \u201cfor the autonomy and development of the person.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 30)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSHOPLIFTING HURTS THE COMMON GOOD<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nPrivate property contributes \u201cin the most unmistakable manner to the peace and tranquility of human existence.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\u201cPrivate ownership [is] an indispensable element in a true social order.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cPrivate property<\/strong>\u2026constitutes one of the<\/strong> conditions for civil liberties<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 71)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Bottom Line on Shoplifting<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>T<\/span>he rise of rampant, brazen shoplifting and its normalization in attitudes and laws that disregard the right of private property<\/a>\u00a0weakens social bonds and results in harm to those most vulnerable in our society and, ultimately, to all.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Often Misunderstood Right to Private Property<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope Leo XIII Quotes on Private Property<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nKarl Marx and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAffordable Housing<\/a><\/span><\/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=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/right-to-private-property\/” button_text=”Learn More About Private Property Rights” 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” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/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=”4.16″ 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[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][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_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ 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_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” 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=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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The result?<\/strong> Increased theft<\/strong>, coarsening of society<\/strong>, and harm to the poor<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n The rise in shoplifting shows a disregard for the right to private property.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “The seventh commandment requires\u2026respect for the right to private property”. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2401)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n More familiar to us is the seventh commandment, \u201cYou shall not steal.<\/strong>\u201d (Exodus 20:15)<\/span><\/p>\n Pope Leo XIII even warns us that divine law forbids “us in severest terms even to covet that which is another’s”. (Rerum Novarum, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n In fact, “There is no culture in which theft and the abuse of property are legal; human sensibility, in fact, is very sensitive in regard to the defense of property.” (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Stealing<\/strong> is destructive of social order and the<\/strong> Common Good<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Widespread shoplifting impacts the poor<\/strong> disproportionally. It results in store closures in poor areas where residents do not have the means of easily accessing alternative sources for needed products.<\/span><\/p>\n Pope Leo XIII correctly foresaw that if private property was taken from rightful owners, it would be the poor who would suffer the most. (Rerum Novarum, 5)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe first and most fundamental principle, therefore, if one would undertake to alleviate the condition of the masses, must be the inviolability of private property<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “Private Ownership is\u2026in accordance with the law of nature.” It “is derived from nature, not from man.” <\/span>(Pope Leo XIII, 9; 47)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “The seventh commandment requires\u2026respect for the right to private property”. <\/span>(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2401)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe right of private ownership\u2026has permanent validity. It is part of the natural order\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPrivate ownership must be considered as a guarantee of the essential freedom of the individual\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Private property \u201cshould be regarded as an extension of human freedom.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 71)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe exercise of freedom finds its guarantee and incentive in the right of ownership.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Private property is \u201cfundamental\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 a requirement \u201cfor the autonomy and development of the person.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 30)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Private property contributes \u201cin the most unmistakable manner to the peace and tranquility of human existence.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPrivate ownership [is] an indispensable element in a true social order.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPrivate property<\/strong>\u2026constitutes one of the<\/strong> conditions for civil liberties<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 71)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Often Misunderstood Right to Private Property<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Top 10 Pope Leo XIII Quotes on Private Property<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Karl Marx and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Affordable Housing<\/a><\/span><\/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=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/right-to-private-property\/” button_text=”Learn More About Private Property Rights” 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” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/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=”4.16″ 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 [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][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_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ 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_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” 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=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/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_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
No, it’s not<\/strong>. For example, in 2014 California changed a longstanding law classifying shoplifting as a felony to a misdemeanor for goods valued under $950. The result has been to functionally legalize shoplifting, as law enforcement will not devote the manpower, cost, and paperwork to pursue misdemeanors.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n
Is Stealing Wrong?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Stealing has been recognized as wrong for millennia \u2013 Even extremely wrong: \u201cIf a man practices robbery and is captured, that man shall be put to death. And he that has received the stolen property from him shall be put to death\u201d (Code of Hammurabi, 6 & 22 – c. 1700 B.C.).<\/span><\/p>\nWhy is Shoplifting Wrong?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
SHOPLIFTING HURTS THE POOR<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
SHOPLIFTING VIOLATES THE RIGHT TO PRIVATE PROPERTY<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
SHOPLIFTING VIOLATES HUMAN FREEDOM<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
SHOPLIFTING HURTS THE COMMON GOOD<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
The Bottom Line on Shoplifting<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>T<\/span>he rise of rampant, brazen shoplifting and its normalization in attitudes and laws that disregard the right of private property<\/a>\u00a0weakens social bonds and results in harm to those most vulnerable in our society and, ultimately, to all.<\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n