<\/p>\n
What is Social Justice?<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/crowd-march-people-street-city-protest-gathering-signs-public.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching results in social justice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Applying Catholic Social Teaching (Not Corporal Works of Mercy) Leads to Social Justice!<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is social justice? A hindrance thwarting achieving social justice is the confusion caused by the many diocesan, parish and university student programs and projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019 \u2014 but which are really corporal works of mercy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy does this matter?<\/span><\/p>\nBy labeling projects to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless \u201csocial justice\u201d we inhibit our ability to distinguish between<\/strong> corporal works of mercy and the practice of Catholic social teaching \u2013 which is what leads to social justice.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Social justice is what results when \u201cassociations or individuals\u2026obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation.\u201d (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSocial justice impacts the social structures around us; it \"upholds the fundamental human right to a dignified life\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis understanding of social justice was made clear by Pope Francis' observation that: \"the duty of social justice\u2026requires the realignment of relationships between stronger and weaker peoples in terms of greater fairness\". (2014 World Day of Peace Message, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church\u2019s \"social doctrine is a particular dimension of this proclamation [of the truth]: It is a service to the truth that sets us free. Open to the truth from whichever branch of knowledge it comes, the Church\u2019s 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\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching<\/a><\/span> (CST) proposes a set of principles to be used to form our conscience as we impact the social structures around us.<\/p>\nSocial Justice - Impeded<\/span><\/h2>\n
This inaccurate labeling (of corporal works of mercy as synonymous with the practice of Catholic social teaching) obscures our recognition that, in charity<\/strong>, we have a similarly binding requirement to confront improper and even sinful social structures \u2013 the domain of Catholic social teaching:<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt is an act of charity to assist someone suffering, but it is also an act of charity, even if we do not know that person, to work to change the social conditions that caused his or her suffering.\u201d (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 186)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\nThe 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\u201d. (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nApplying Catholic Social Teaching is Charity<\/span><\/h2>\n
Our catechesis, whether as children or adults, typically fails to reveal that practicing Catholic social teaching is charity. It fails to identify that \u201cCharity is at the heart of the Church\u2019s social doctrine.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 2)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThat, \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<\/strong>\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe 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>, outside the institutional mediation of the polis.\u201d (emphasis ours) (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\"'Caritas in Veritate\u2019 is the principle around which the church\u2019s social doctrine turns\". (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe must understand: to practice Catholic social teaching is also charity!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe Confusion is a Problem<\/span><\/h2>\n
Clothing runs, food drives, home building projects are corporal works of mercy (charity) but not social justice and this confusion complicates realizing our binding requirement<\/strong> to practice Catholic social teaching in our \u2018public lives\u2019 (at work and at the voting booth).<\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope St. John Paul II made clear: proper formation with Catholic social teaching \"will act as the best antidote to the not infrequent cases of inconsistency and even corruption marking socio-political structures.\" (Ecclesia in America, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConversely, he was just as clear that if this requirement to know and practice Catholic social teaching \"is neglected, it should not come as a surprise that many\u2026will be guided by criteria alien to the Gospel and at times openly contrary to it.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Charity?<\/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>\nThe Relationship Between CST, Social Justice, and Charity<\/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
<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching results in social justice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Applying Catholic Social Teaching (Not Corporal Works of Mercy) Leads to Social Justice!<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is social justice? A hindrance thwarting achieving social justice is the confusion caused by the many diocesan, parish and university student programs and projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019 \u2014 but which are really corporal works of mercy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy does this matter?<\/span><\/p>\nBy labeling projects to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless \u201csocial justice\u201d we inhibit our ability to distinguish between<\/strong> corporal works of mercy and the practice of Catholic social teaching \u2013 which is what leads to social justice.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Social Justice?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Social justice is what results when \u201cassociations or individuals\u2026obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation.\u201d (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSocial justice impacts the social structures around us; it \"upholds the fundamental human right to a dignified life\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis understanding of social justice was made clear by Pope Francis' observation that: \"the duty of social justice\u2026requires the realignment of relationships between stronger and weaker peoples in terms of greater fairness\". (2014 World Day of Peace Message, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church\u2019s \"social doctrine is a particular dimension of this proclamation [of the truth]: It is a service to the truth that sets us free. Open to the truth from whichever branch of knowledge it comes, the Church\u2019s 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\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching<\/a><\/span> (CST) proposes a set of principles to be used to form our conscience as we impact the social structures around us.<\/p>\nSocial Justice - Impeded<\/span><\/h2>\n
This inaccurate labeling (of corporal works of mercy as synonymous with the practice of Catholic social teaching) obscures our recognition that, in charity<\/strong>, we have a similarly binding requirement to confront improper and even sinful social structures \u2013 the domain of Catholic social teaching:<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt is an act of charity to assist someone suffering, but it is also an act of charity, even if we do not know that person, to work to change the social conditions that caused his or her suffering.\u201d (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 186)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\nThe 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\u201d. (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nApplying Catholic Social Teaching is Charity<\/span><\/h2>\n
Our catechesis, whether as children or adults, typically fails to reveal that practicing Catholic social teaching is charity. It fails to identify that \u201cCharity is at the heart of the Church\u2019s social doctrine.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 2)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThat, \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<\/strong>\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe 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>, outside the institutional mediation of the polis.\u201d (emphasis ours) (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\"'Caritas in Veritate\u2019 is the principle around which the church\u2019s social doctrine turns\". (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe must understand: to practice Catholic social teaching is also charity!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe Confusion is a Problem<\/span><\/h2>\n
Clothing runs, food drives, home building projects are corporal works of mercy (charity) but not social justice and this confusion complicates realizing our binding requirement<\/strong> to practice Catholic social teaching in our \u2018public lives\u2019 (at work and at the voting booth).<\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope St. John Paul II made clear: proper formation with Catholic social teaching \"will act as the best antidote to the not infrequent cases of inconsistency and even corruption marking socio-political structures.\" (Ecclesia in America, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConversely, he was just as clear that if this requirement to know and practice Catholic social teaching \"is neglected, it should not come as a surprise that many\u2026will be guided by criteria alien to the Gospel and at times openly contrary to it.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Charity?<\/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>\nThe Relationship Between CST, Social Justice, and Charity<\/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
What is social justice? A hindrance thwarting achieving social justice is the confusion caused by the many diocesan, parish and university student programs and projects labeled \u2018social justice\u2019 \u2014 but which are really corporal works of mercy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Why does this matter?<\/span><\/p>\n By labeling projects to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless \u201csocial justice\u201d we inhibit our ability to distinguish between<\/strong> corporal works of mercy and the practice of Catholic social teaching \u2013 which is what leads to social justice.<\/span><\/p>\n Social justice impacts the social structures around us; it \"upholds the fundamental human right to a dignified life\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This understanding of social justice was made clear by Pope Francis' observation that: \"the duty of social justice\u2026requires the realignment of relationships between stronger and weaker peoples in terms of greater fairness\". (2014 World Day of Peace Message, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching<\/a><\/span> (CST) proposes a set of principles to be used to form our conscience as we impact the social structures around us.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is an act of charity to assist someone suffering, but it is also an act of charity, even if we do not know that person, to work to change the social conditions that caused his or her suffering.\u201d (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 186)<\/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\u201d. (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That, \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<\/strong>\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/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>, outside the institutional mediation of the polis.\u201d (emphasis ours) (Caritas in Veritate, 7)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \"'Caritas in Veritate\u2019 is the principle around which the church\u2019s social doctrine turns\". (Caritas in Veritate, 6)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must understand: to practice Catholic social teaching is also charity!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n As Pope St. John Paul II made clear: proper formation with Catholic social teaching \"will act as the best antidote to the not infrequent cases of inconsistency and even corruption marking socio-political structures.\" (Ecclesia in America, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Conversely, he was just as clear that if this requirement to know and practice Catholic social teaching \"is neglected, it should not come as a surprise that many\u2026will be guided by criteria alien to the Gospel and at times openly contrary to it.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Charity?<\/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 The Relationship Between CST, Social Justice, and Charity<\/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\tWhat is Social Justice?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Social justice is what results when \u201cassociations or individuals\u2026obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation.\u201d (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Catholic Social Teaching?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church\u2019s \"social doctrine is a particular dimension of this proclamation [of the truth]: It is a service to the truth that sets us free. Open to the truth from whichever branch of knowledge it comes, the Church\u2019s 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\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 9)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSocial Justice - Impeded<\/span><\/h2>\n
This inaccurate labeling (of corporal works of mercy as synonymous with the practice of Catholic social teaching) obscures our recognition that, in charity<\/strong>, we have a similarly binding requirement to confront improper and even sinful social structures \u2013 the domain of Catholic social teaching:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Applying Catholic Social Teaching is Charity<\/span><\/h2>\n
Our catechesis, whether as children or adults, typically fails to reveal that practicing Catholic social teaching is charity. It fails to identify that \u201cCharity is at the heart of the Church\u2019s social doctrine.\" (Caritas in Veritate, 2)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThe Confusion is a Problem<\/span><\/h2>\n
Clothing runs, food drives, home building projects are corporal works of mercy (charity) but not social justice and this confusion complicates realizing our binding requirement<\/strong> to practice Catholic social teaching in our \u2018public lives\u2019 (at work and at the voting booth).<\/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