Life is sacred
This is the foundational belief of Catholic Social Teaching. Every human person is made in the image and likeness of God and God is present in every person. Therefore, we are called to respect the dignity of every person.
The needs of the poor and vulnerable come first
God has a preferential love for the poor - we see this clearly in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This means that we are called to close the gap between rich and poor in society and to lift up those suffering in poverty.
No one should be excluded
Everyone should be treated equally, all able to receive the fruits of the earth and the gifts of creation. Everyone has the right to participate in society.
The freedom of individuals should be respected by the powerful
What people can accomplish by their own initiative and efforts should not be taken from them by authorities.
We all belong to each other
As individuals, we are all part of the same human family, all brothers and sisters. This common belonging then requires us to promote peace in the world and towards one another.
We are called to be stewards of God’s creation
Protecting the planet and its people is a requirement of our faith. All of God’s creation is interconnected and, within this, we have to consider how our actions affect the poorest, who are suffering the effects of the climate crisis the most.
The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of social teaching, reaching from the early church fathers and philosophers of the past to the saints and activists of today.