The Social Doctrine of the Church

The Social Doctrine of the Church, also referred to as Catholic Social Teaching, is the collection of moral and theological teachings by the Church regarding economic, political, and social life. It is rooted in Scripture and focuses on how we are called to live in light of the Gospel message. These teachings offer principles for reflection, criteria for judgement, and norms and guidelines for action.

Catholic Social Teaching is built upon four main pillars

1. Human Dignity: The foundational principle that every person is created in the image and likeness of God thus containing an infinite amount and dignity and worthiness of life.
2. The Common Good: The shared goal of all humanity to meet the conditions needed by every person to reach their fulfillment.
3. Subsidiarity: The principle that holds that larger institutions should support, not replace smaller, local institutions.
4. Solidarity: The mindset that recognizes that to fulfill the common good, we must look charitably upon our neighbor and work together as one body in spite of differences.

With these four pillars as guides, the Church explains to us how we are to act as disciples of Christ. As Pope Leo XIV puts it in Magnifica Humanitas,

"If the mystery of God as Love is the source of Social Doctrine, we see its most concrete expression in the face of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word."

The Church's Social Doctrine looks to Christ as an example on how we are meant to live as a society today.

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

1. How does Jesus' life demonstrate the principles of Catholic Social Teaching?
2. Why does the Church teach that caring for our neighbor is an essential part of following Christ?

Magnifica Humanitas