ST. TERESA OF AVILA PARISH

PEACE AND JUSTICE

KEY THEMES IN CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

• DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
  Respecting one's dignity implies that individuals have access
  to the basic necessities of life which enable them to live humanly.

• OPTION FOR THE POOR
  The overarching Gospel principle is the obligation to attend to the poor.
  In her social teaching the Church holds strongly to the truth that the
  moral fabric of a nation is determined by how well it provides for the
  poor in its midst.

• SOLIDARITY OF THE HUMAN FAMILY
  The human family depends on each other.  We are all part of the
  earth's household - no one should be excluded.

• THE COMMON GOOD
  The common good implies that social structures of society must
  be crafted in such a way that people have the opportunity to
  participate and fulfill their basic human needs.

• PARTICIPATION
  Everyone should be involved in decisions that affect their lives.

• DIGNITY OF WORK
  The dignity of work flows from the dignity of the human person
  and the rights of the person to participate in using his/her gifts
  and skills to provide for one's livelihood and that of one's family.

• THE UNIVERSAL PURPOSE OF MATERIAL THINGS
  All gifts of nature, natural resources and technology must
  serve the dignity of the person, support the community and
  contribute to the common good.

• SOCIAL NATURE OF THE HUMAN PERSON
  We each exist in a community.   Our individual welfare and the
  protection of our rights (housing, health care, employment, education,
  physical protection, etc.) should be safeguarded by community
  policies and structures.
  
  
  (The above information provided by NETWORK Education Program
  801 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E. # 460
  Washington, DC  20003   202-547-5556)
  
  Return to Peace and Justice page