<\/p>\n
Definitions of Catholic Social Teaching, Social Justice, and Charity<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching<\/em><\/strong>, which is a branch of Catholic Moral Theology, contains a set of principles to be used to form our conscience as we impact on the social structures around us.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Charity?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Charity<\/em><\/strong> is a theological virtue. It applies to all and involves engaging, directly, those around us who are in need.<\/span><\/p>\nWe need to clear up some confusion caused by the many projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019<\/em> but which are, in fact, usually initiatives of charity. Also, we need to clearly distinguish between<\/strong> charity, understood as corporal works of mercy<\/em>, and Catholic Social Teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"Catholic](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/gathering-sunset-night-morning-crowd-dusk.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching, charity, and social justice must be understood properly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms. It addresses problems that already exist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCharity, as a theological virtue, is what we are all called to do, as individuals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope Benedict XVI says, charity or <\/span>\"Love of neighbour, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member of the faithful\" (Deus Caritas Est, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nand<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\"To desire the common good and strive towards it is a requirement of justice and charity.\"<\/span> (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\"Justice is the primary way of charity\" while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\". (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Social Justice<\/em><\/strong> (which is a noun not a verb) is the result<\/em> of Catholic social teaching applied in the world, the end goal being promoting social change in institutions or political structures.<\/span><\/p>\n Social Action<\/em><\/strong> (which is a verb) is the implementation of Catholic social teaching -- not exclusively comprised of acts of Charity.<\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope Benedict XVI defined Catholic social teaching in Caritas in Veritate:<\/span><\/p>\n\"Her social doctrine is a particular dimension of this proclamation: it is a service to the truth which sets us free. Open to the truth, from whichever branch of knowledge it comes, the C<\/span>hurch's social doctrine receives it, assembles into a unity the fragments in which it is often found, and mediates it within the constantly changing life-patterns of the society of peoples and nations.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Relationship Between Charity and Social Justice<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"<\/span>Charity goes beyond justice, because to love is to give, to offer what is \u201cmine\u201d to the other; but it never lacks justice, which prompts us to give the other what is \u201chis\u201d, what is due to him by reason of his being or his acting. I cannot \u201cgive\u201d what is mine to the other, without first giving him what pertains to him in justice. If we love others with charity, then first of all we are just towards them.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial justice<\/em> will inform how institutions such as non-profit food pantries, soup kitchens and institutions like Catholic Relief Services are established, organized and operate.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBut<\/em> clothing runs, food drives, home building projects, and donating to Catholic Relief Services are acts of charity<\/em> \u2013 corporal works of mercy<\/em>, not social justice. <\/span><\/span>However, charity, as a Theological Virtue, certainly must and does inform Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in Caritas in Veritate that \"Charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 2)<\/a> and, later \"'Caritas in veritate' is the principle around which the Church's social doctrine turns\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> continuing to make the point that <\/span>\"Justice is the primary way of charity\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> \u2013but\u2013 they are not the same.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Charity?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCharity vs. Justice<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHow to be a Real Social Justice Warrior?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial Justice Issues<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial Justice Quotes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nJustice Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nKarl Marx and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Christian Humanism?<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching<\/em><\/strong>, which is a branch of Catholic Moral Theology, contains a set of principles to be used to form our conscience as we impact on the social structures around us.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Charity?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Charity<\/em><\/strong> is a theological virtue. It applies to all and involves engaging, directly, those around us who are in need.<\/span><\/p>\nWe need to clear up some confusion caused by the many projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019<\/em> but which are, in fact, usually initiatives of charity. Also, we need to clearly distinguish between<\/strong> charity, understood as corporal works of mercy<\/em>, and Catholic Social Teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching, charity, and social justice must be understood properly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms. It addresses problems that already exist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCharity, as a theological virtue, is what we are all called to do, as individuals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope Benedict XVI says, charity or <\/span>\"Love of neighbour, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member of the faithful\" (Deus Caritas Est, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nand<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\"To desire the common good and strive towards it is a requirement of justice and charity.\"<\/span> (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\"Justice is the primary way of charity\" while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\". (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Social Justice<\/em><\/strong> (which is a noun not a verb) is the result<\/em> of Catholic social teaching applied in the world, the end goal being promoting social change in institutions or political structures.<\/span><\/p>\n Social Action<\/em><\/strong> (which is a verb) is the implementation of Catholic social teaching -- not exclusively comprised of acts of Charity.<\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope Benedict XVI defined Catholic social teaching in Caritas in Veritate:<\/span><\/p>\n\"Her social doctrine is a particular dimension of this proclamation: it is a service to the truth which sets us free. Open to the truth, from whichever branch of knowledge it comes, the C<\/span>hurch's social doctrine receives it, assembles into a unity the fragments in which it is often found, and mediates it within the constantly changing life-patterns of the society of peoples and nations.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Relationship Between Charity and Social Justice<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"<\/span>Charity goes beyond justice, because to love is to give, to offer what is \u201cmine\u201d to the other; but it never lacks justice, which prompts us to give the other what is \u201chis\u201d, what is due to him by reason of his being or his acting. I cannot \u201cgive\u201d what is mine to the other, without first giving him what pertains to him in justice. If we love others with charity, then first of all we are just towards them.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial justice<\/em> will inform how institutions such as non-profit food pantries, soup kitchens and institutions like Catholic Relief Services are established, organized and operate.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBut<\/em> clothing runs, food drives, home building projects, and donating to Catholic Relief Services are acts of charity<\/em> \u2013 corporal works of mercy<\/em>, not social justice. <\/span><\/span>However, charity, as a Theological Virtue, certainly must and does inform Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in Caritas in Veritate that \"Charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 2)<\/a> and, later \"'Caritas in veritate' is the principle around which the Church's social doctrine turns\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> continuing to make the point that <\/span>\"Justice is the primary way of charity\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> \u2013but\u2013 they are not the same.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Charity?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCharity vs. Justice<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHow to be a Real Social Justice Warrior?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial Justice Issues<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial Justice Quotes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nJustice Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nKarl Marx and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Christian Humanism?<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Catholic social teaching<\/em><\/strong>, which is a branch of Catholic Moral Theology, contains a set of principles to be used to form our conscience as we impact on the social structures around us.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
What is Charity?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Charity<\/em><\/strong> is a theological virtue. It applies to all and involves engaging, directly, those around us who are in need.<\/span><\/p>\nWe need to clear up some confusion caused by the many projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019<\/em> but which are, in fact, usually initiatives of charity. Also, we need to clearly distinguish between<\/strong> charity, understood as corporal works of mercy<\/em>, and Catholic Social Teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching, charity, and social justice must be understood properly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms. It addresses problems that already exist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCharity, as a theological virtue, is what we are all called to do, as individuals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope Benedict XVI says, charity or <\/span>\"Love of neighbour, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member of the faithful\" (Deus Caritas Est, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nand<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\"To desire the common good and strive towards it is a requirement of justice and charity.\"<\/span> (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\"Justice is the primary way of charity\" while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\". (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Social Justice<\/em><\/strong> (which is a noun not a verb) is the result<\/em> of Catholic social teaching applied in the world, the end goal being promoting social change in institutions or political structures.<\/span><\/p>\n Social Action<\/em><\/strong> (which is a verb) is the implementation of Catholic social teaching -- not exclusively comprised of acts of Charity.<\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope Benedict XVI defined Catholic social teaching in Caritas in Veritate:<\/span><\/p>\n\"Her social doctrine is a particular dimension of this proclamation: it is a service to the truth which sets us free. Open to the truth, from whichever branch of knowledge it comes, the C<\/span>hurch's social doctrine receives it, assembles into a unity the fragments in which it is often found, and mediates it within the constantly changing life-patterns of the society of peoples and nations.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Relationship Between Charity and Social Justice<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"<\/span>Charity goes beyond justice, because to love is to give, to offer what is \u201cmine\u201d to the other; but it never lacks justice, which prompts us to give the other what is \u201chis\u201d, what is due to him by reason of his being or his acting. I cannot \u201cgive\u201d what is mine to the other, without first giving him what pertains to him in justice. If we love others with charity, then first of all we are just towards them.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial justice<\/em> will inform how institutions such as non-profit food pantries, soup kitchens and institutions like Catholic Relief Services are established, organized and operate.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBut<\/em> clothing runs, food drives, home building projects, and donating to Catholic Relief Services are acts of charity<\/em> \u2013 corporal works of mercy<\/em>, not social justice. <\/span><\/span>However, charity, as a Theological Virtue, certainly must and does inform Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in Caritas in Veritate that \"Charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 2)<\/a> and, later \"'Caritas in veritate' is the principle around which the Church's social doctrine turns\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> continuing to make the point that <\/span>\"Justice is the primary way of charity\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> \u2013but\u2013 they are not the same.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Charity?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCharity vs. Justice<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHow to be a Real Social Justice Warrior?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial Justice Issues<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocial Justice Quotes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nJustice Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nKarl Marx and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Christian Humanism?<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Charity<\/em><\/strong> is a theological virtue. It applies to all and involves engaging, directly, those around us who are in need.<\/span><\/p>\n
We need to clear up some confusion caused by the many projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019<\/em> but which are, in fact, usually initiatives of charity. Also, we need to clearly distinguish between<\/strong> charity, understood as corporal works of mercy<\/em>, and Catholic Social Teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching, charity, and social justice must be understood properly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms. It addresses problems that already exist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Charity, as a theological virtue, is what we are all called to do, as individuals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As Pope Benedict XVI says, charity or <\/span>\"Love of neighbour, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member of the faithful\" (Deus Caritas Est, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n and<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \"To desire the common good and strive towards it is a requirement of justice and charity.\"<\/span> (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"Justice is the primary way of charity\" while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\". (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Social Action<\/em><\/strong> (which is a verb) is the implementation of Catholic social teaching -- not exclusively comprised of acts of Charity.<\/span><\/p>\n As Pope Benedict XVI defined Catholic social teaching in Caritas in Veritate:<\/span><\/p>\n \"Her social doctrine is a particular dimension of this proclamation: it is a service to the truth which sets us free. Open to the truth, from whichever branch of knowledge it comes, the C<\/span>hurch's social doctrine receives it, assembles into a unity the fragments in which it is often found, and mediates it within the constantly changing life-patterns of the society of peoples and nations.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Social justice<\/em> will inform how institutions such as non-profit food pantries, soup kitchens and institutions like Catholic Relief Services are established, organized and operate.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But<\/em> clothing runs, food drives, home building projects, and donating to Catholic Relief Services are acts of charity<\/em> \u2013 corporal works of mercy<\/em>, not social justice. <\/span><\/span>However, charity, as a Theological Virtue, certainly must and does inform Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in Caritas in Veritate that \"Charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 2)<\/a> and, later \"'Caritas in veritate' is the principle around which the Church's social doctrine turns\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> continuing to make the point that <\/span>\"Justice is the primary way of charity\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> while \"On the other hand, charity transcends justice and completes it\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a> \u2013but\u2013 they are not the same.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Charity?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What is Social Justice?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Charity vs. Justice<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n How to be a Real Social Justice Warrior?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Social Justice Issues<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Social Justice Quotes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Justice Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Karl Marx and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What is Christian Humanism?<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> 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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t 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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t 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><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
What is Social Justice?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Social Justice<\/em><\/strong> (which is a noun not a verb) is the result<\/em> of Catholic social teaching applied in the world, the end goal being promoting social change in institutions or political structures.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Relationship Between Charity and Social Justice<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"<\/span>Charity goes beyond justice, because to love is to give, to offer what is \u201cmine\u201d to the other; but it never lacks justice, which prompts us to give the other what is \u201chis\u201d, what is due to him by reason of his being or his acting. I cannot \u201cgive\u201d what is mine to the other, without first giving him what pertains to him in justice. If we love others with charity, then first of all we are just towards them.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t