for December 30
“When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy we are paying a debt of justice.”
(St Gregory the Great) Catechism of the Catholic Church
for December 23
All women and men as individuals and as members of society crave a life that is full, autonomous, and worthy of their nature as human beings; they long to harness for their own welfare the immense resources of the modern world.
(9) Gaudium et Spes: The Church in the Modern World, Vatican Council II
for December 16
In love, the other person is the image of God, a son or daughter, full of dignity and sanctified by God. In love, there is no slavery, no violence. In love, there is power for liberation, and there is justice and peace.
(10) Pastoral Letter on Crime and Violence: Antilles Episcopal Conference
for December 9
“A new humanism .. will enable modern man to find himself anew by embracing the higher values of love and friendship, of prayer and contemplation. This …will permit the fullness of authentic development.
(43) The Development of Peoples, Pope Paul VI 1967
for December 2
Normally it will not be the task of the bishops, priests or religious to become actively involved in politics …On the other hand, direct political action is not only a task but also a duty of the laity in the Church.
(9)Justice and Peace in a New Caribbean: The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Antille
for November 25
‘The joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well.”
(1) Gaudium et Spes: The Church in the Modern World, Vatican Council
for November 18
Within a country which belongs to each one, all should be equal before the law, find equal admittance to economic, cultural, civic and social life, and benefit from a fair sharing of the nation’s riches.
The Development of Peoples, Pope Paul VI, 1967
for November 11
We cannot separate action for justice, or liberation from oppression from proclaiming the Word of God. The expression of our religious faith must go hand in hand with our active promotion of justice
Justice and Peace in a New Caribbean: The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Antilles.
for November 4
For Christians peace is not only an absence but also a presence, the presence of God among us.And our Christian communities, if faithful to their calling, should also be strong arguments for justice and peace, incarnating the presence of God among us.
(37) Pastoral Letter on Crime and Violence: Antilles Episcopal Conference
for October 28
Development cannot be limited to mere economic growth. In order to be authentic, it must be complete, integral; that is, it has to promote the good of every person and of the whole person.
The Development of Peoples – Pope Paul VI, 1967
for October 21
Christ’s mission is also the mission of the Church He founded: ‘to be present in the heart of the world by proclaiming the Good News to the poor, freedom to the oppressed, and joy to the afflicted.’
(5) Justice and Peace in a New Caribbean: The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Antilles
for October 14
‘Social Justice is a constitutive dimension of Christian faith and a fundamental condition of our covenant with God.’
Pastoral Letter on Crime and Violence, Antilles Episcopal Conferenc
for October 7
Social justice implies that persons have an obligation to be active and productive participants in the life of society and that society has a duty to enable them to participate in this way.
(#71), Economic Justice for All – National Conference of Catholic Bishops (USA) November 1987
for September 30
Unbridled ambition for power has succeeded greed for gain; all economic life has become tragically hard, inexorable, and cruel.
(#109) Quadragesimo Anno (The Fortieth Year), Pope Pius XI, 1931
for September 23
It is in keeping with their dignity as persons that human being should take an active part in government.
(#73) Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1963
for September 16
We must reaffirm most strongly that this Catholic social doctrine is an integral part of the Christian conception of life.
(#222) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher), Pope John XXIII, 1961
for September 9
…the riches that economic-social developments constantly increase ought to be so distributed among individual persons and classes that … the common good of all society will be kept inviolate.
#57Quadragesimo Anno (The Fortieth Year) Pope Pius XI, 1931
for September 2
To overcome today’s individualistic mentality, a concrete commitment to solidarity and charity is needed, beginning in the family.
The Gospel of Life (Pt One), John Paul II, 1995
for August 26
Excessive economic, social and cultural inequalities among peoples arouse tensions and conflicts, and are a danger to peace.
(#76) Populorum Progressio – On the Development of Peoples
Pope Paul VI, 1967.
for August 19
This teaching rests on one basic principle: individual human beings are the foundation, the cause and the end of every social institution. That is necessarily so, for men are by nature social beings.
(#219) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher), Pope John XXIII, 1961
for August 12
It is not enough, for example, to acknowledge and respect every man’s right to the means of subsistence if we do not strive to the best of our ability for a sufficient supply of what is necessary for his sustenance. (#32) Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1963
for August 5
It is not enough merely to formulate a social doctrine. It must be translated into reality. And this is particularly true of the Church’s social doctrine, the light of which is Truth, Justice its objective, and Love its driving force. (#226) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) Pope John XXIII, 1961
for July 29
Catholic social teaching, like philosophical reflection, must distinguishes three dimensions of basic justice: commutative justice, distributive justice, and social justice
Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World [24], Second Vatican Council, 1965.
for July 22
In teaching us charity, the Gospel instructs us in the preferential respect due the poor and the special situation they have in society: the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others.
Octogesima Adveniens- A Call to Action (#23), Pope Paul VI, 1971
for July 15
Both for nations and for individual men, avarice is the most evident form of moral underdevelopment.
(#19) Populorum Progressio On the Development of Peoples, Pope Paul VI, 1967
for July 8
When you commander cialis improve your cardiovascular system you can alleviate your problem with effective treating alternatives like erection-aiding medicines. The most important need of the hour is comprehensive training viagra no prescription cheap and education in sustainable means of farming and preserving this priceless gem of the plant kingdom. levitra wholesale This medicine may lead to allergic reaction in patient and may create several adverse effects which don’t require any serious treatment; doing some home treatments to solve these mentioned disorders in case of adults and children help the physicians to prescribe the potential of Zithromax to be used to certain conditions that are not defined in the medical guidance. This sexual health illness not only affects men’s physical health but it also affects mental health of a tadalafil 20mg españa person. This means that, if any government does not acknowledge the rights of the human person or violates them, it not only fails in its duty, but its orders completely lack juridical force.
Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) (#61), Pope John XXIII, 1963
for July 1
The economic prosperity of any people is to be assessed not so much from the sum total of goods and wealth possessed as from the distribution of goods according to norms of justice.
(#74) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) Pope John XXIII, 1961
for June 24
One of the fundamental duties of civil authorities, therefore, is to coordinate social relations in such fashion that the exercise of one person’s rights does not threaten others in the exercise of their own rights nor hinder them in the fulfilment of their duties.
(#62) Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1963.
for June 17
There can be no progress towards the complete development of individuals without the simultaneous development of all humanity in the spirit of solidarity.
(#43) Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples) Pope Paul VI, 1967
for June 10
Wherefore, whatever the progress in technology and economic life, there can be neither justice nor peace in the world, so long as men fail to realise how great is their dignity; for they have been created by God and are His children.
Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher)(#215) Pope John XXIII, 1961
for June 3
No one, certainly, is obliged to assist others out of what is required for his own necessary use or for that of his family, . . . But when the demands of necessity and propriety have been met, it is a duty to give to the poor out of that which remains.
(#35-36) Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Workers), Pope Leo XIII, 1891
for May 27
Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith…. Because this commitment to social justice is at the heart of who we are and what we believe, it must be shared more effectively.
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 1998
for May 20
If the question be asked: How ought man to use his possessions? The Church replies without hesitation: “As to this point, man ought not regard external goods as his own, but as common so that, in fact, a person should readily share them when he sees others in need.”
Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Workers) Pope Leo XIII, 1891
for May 13
Individual human beings are the foundation, the cause and the end of every social institution. That is necessarily so, for men are by nature social beings. This fact must be recognised, as also the fact that they are raised in the plan of Providence to an order of reality which is above nature.
(#219) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) Pope John XXIII, 1961.
for May 6
This statement of St Augustine seems to be very apt in this regard: “What are kingdoms without justice but large bands of robbers.”
(#92) Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1963
for April 29
The function of the rulers of the State is to watch over the community and its parts; but in protecting private individuals in their rights, chief consideration ought to be given to the weak and the poor.
(#25) Quadragesimo Anno (The Fortieth Year), Pope Pius XI, 1931
for April 22
It must not be supposed that the Church so concentrates her energies on caring for souls as to overlook things which pertain to mortal and earthly life.
(#42) Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labour), Pope Leo XIII, 1891
for April 15
Human persons are willed by God; they are imprinted with God’s image. Their dignity does not come from the work they do, but from the persons they are.
Centesimus Annus – The Hundredth Year, John Paul II, 1991
for April 8
Accordingly, peace is also the fruit of love, for love goes beyond what justice can achieve.
#78 Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Second Vatican Council, 1965
for April 1
Love for others, and especially for the poor, is made concrete by promoting justice.
#58 Centesimus Annus -The Hundredth Year -John Paul II, 1991
for March 25
As Catholics, we have an inspiring vision in our social teaching. In a world that hungers for a sense of meaning and moral direction, this teaching offers ethical criteria for action. In a society of rapid change and often confused moral values, this teaching offers consistent moral guidance for the future .… this social teaching is a central part of our identity.
US Catholic Bishops – Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 1998
for March 18
Just as the social teaching of the Church is integral to Catholic faith, the social justice dimensions of teaching are integral to Catholic education and catechesis. They are an essential part of Catholic identity and formation
US Catholic Bishops- Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 1998
for March 11
“Central to our identity as Catholics is that we are called to be leaven for transforming the world, agents for bringing about a kingdom of love and justice.”
US Catholic Bishops- Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 1998
for March 4
Jesus has revealed to us that “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8) and that the highest vocation of every person is love. In Christ we can find the ultimate reason for becoming staunch champions of human dignity and courageous builders of peace. (Par 16)
Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace, Jan 2007
for February 25
The way to ensure a future of peace for everyone is found not only in international accords for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, but also in the determined commitment to seek their reduction and definitive dismantling. (Par 15)
Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace, Jan 2007
for February 18
The destruction of the environment, its improper or selfish use, and the violent hoarding of the earth’s resources cause grievances, conflicts and wars, precisely because they are the consequences of an inhumane concept of development. Par. 9
Pope Benedict XVI World Day of Peace Jan 2007
for February 11
“Not only has God given the earth to man, who must use it with respect for the original good purpose for which it was given to him, but man too is God’s gift to man. He must therefore respect the natural and moral structure with which he has been endowed.
”(Citation from Pope John Paul’s II Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (6)). Par. 8 Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Peace, Jan 2007
for February 4
At the origin of many tensions that threaten peace are surely the many unjust inequalities still tragically present in our world. Particularly insidious among these are, on the one hand, inequality in access to essential goodslike food, water, shelter, health; on the other hand, there are persistent inequalities between men and women in the exercise of basic human rights.
Par 6 Message of Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Jan 2007
for January 28
As far as the right to life is concerned, we must denounce its widespread violation in our society: alongside the victims of armed conflicts, terrorism and the different forms of violence, there are the silent deaths caused by hunger, abortion, experimentation on human embryos and euthanasia.
Par. 5 Pope Benedict XVI World Day of Peace Message, Jan 2007
for January 14
The duty to respect the dignity of each human being, in whose nature the image of the Creator is reflected, means in consequence that the person can not be disposed of at will. Those with greater political, technical, or economic power may not use that power to violate the rights of others who are less fortunate. Peace is based on respect for the rights of all. Par. 4 Message of Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace 2007
for January 7
It is not wrong to want to live better. What is wrong is a style of life which is presumed to be better when it is directed more towards “having” than “being” and which wants to “have more” not in order to “be more” but in order to live in enjoyment as an end in itself.
No 60 Caring for the Earth – Our Responsibility, Pastoral Letter of Antilles EpiscopalConference, 2005
