Catholic Social Teaching
Life and Dignity of the Human Person The
dignity of the human person is reflective of Jesus’ ministry. All life, from conception thru natural death,
is held sacred. Abortion,
euthanasia, the death penalty, poverty, animal cruelty, discrimination, are
all practices that violate this teaching.
Call to Family, Community, and Participation The
family is the core of a Christian society.
Just as Jesus formed the first Christian community and early church
recognized that Jesus came for all of humanity, “community” is the arena in
which we live a Christian life. A
society that diminishes the importance of family and promotes “rugged
individualism” conflicts with Jesus’ teaching that we are interdependent with
each other and dependent on God. Social
or political practices that isolate large segments of the population violate
this teaching.
Rights and Responsibilities Rights
to food, shelter, employment, health care, education, etc. are all recognized
and supported by our Catholic tradition.
A society whose economics and politics systemically deny any segment of
its populations these rights violates this teaching. However, with each right comes the responsibility
to use that right to advance the common good.
Although Judeo-Christian tradition supports property rights, such rights
must be accompanied by the responsibility to steward the property for future
generations.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Jesus’
commandments, The Beatitudes, begin with “Blessed
are the Poor in Spirit …” Not all of
God’s children are blessed with physical health, high intelligence, emotional
stability, or other attributes that are necessary for success in a competitive
society. Many people start life with
symptoms of poor prenatal care, dysfunctional parents, unhealthy environments,
etc. A Christian society supports its poor and vulnerable with a combination of
private and public programs.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers Work
is a fundamental component of a person’s life journey. Work is necessary for a society to progress
towards God’s kingdom on earth. Work
that demeans a person’s dignity has been too common in our nation’s history. The exploitation of the poor and immigrants
on plantations, coal mines, sweat shops, railroad gangs, farm fields, etc.
violates this teaching. A just working
environment is healthy, safe and provides a living wage. When these rights are not being met, Catholic
tradition has a long history of supporting the right of workers to organize
without intimidation.
Solidarity
Jesus used the story of the
Good Samaritan to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Our neighbor is not just the person next
door; it’s the person in
Care for God’s Creation
We are partners with God in
preserving the natural world that reflects God’s glory and providence. We bless the Creator when we bless the
Creator’s Creation. We grow in our spiritual
understanding of God by reflecting on wonders of the natural world. When we allow this gift to be diminished by
pollution, erosion, non-renewal resource extraction, over consumption, etc, we have
chosen to place our personal welfare ahead of our less fortunate neighbors and
future generations. Our Catholic tradition
calls us to value, protect and cherish our sacramental universe.
Mary, Help of Christians Social Actions Grant Now Available MHC Social Actions has set
aside up to $500 in its current budget for an innovative project within the
local community served by Mary, Help of Christians Parish. The project is to support one or more of
the seven Catholic Social Justice Principles described on the back of this
flyer. Any MHC parishioner is eligible to submit a grant
application. Applications that
include youth, collaboration with other organizations, education on social
justice, or advocacy are encouraged.
Applications are due at the MHC office March 1 and must include the
social justice principle(s) supported, community served, budget, measurable
outcomes and schedule of activities and funding needs—see requirements on
the right. For more information
contact Bob Jurick, 878-6060 or John Lethert,
879-4183. Examples of social actions
grant projects: Collaboration
with Voter
registration with other Increasing
accessibility for disabled Increasing
community involvement for homebound Performing
survey of poverty families in Assisting
poverty youth with school materials and food Organizing
cleanup and recycling projects Distributing
Catholic Social Justice Documents Adding
Social Justice Content to MHC website Organizing
a scrip program for local businesses Funding a
community dinner at MHC Sponsoring
poverty youth at summer outdoor programs
