11/09/2025
It has become very difficult to discuss issues of social concern in our times, because virtually every issue has been politicized and as
soon as certain words are spoken, or concerns
expressed, many people stop listening and begin
judging or putting one another into categories,
groups or political parties. Even the words “social
justice” may trigger a knee-jerk reaction. But
during the month of November, the diocese is
asking us to highlight key themes of the
Church’s social teaching, to form our consciences
with Gospel values taught to us, through the Church, by the God who is Love. Let us step back from the cultural-political “brink” and be receptive.
The following seven themes highlight some of the key principles that are addressed in Catholic Social Teaching documents.
Life and Dignity of the Human Person – Made in the image and likeness of God, all persons are sacred. Belief in the sanctity of human life and inherent dignity of each person is the foundation of all our social teachings. Today this value is threatened by abortion, assisted su***de, euthanasia, the death penalty, and the many ways in which people are treated with disregard for their human dignity.
Call to Family, Community and Participation – The human person is social as well as sacred. Our Catholic tradition teaches that human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community. The family is the central social institution. Family life needs to be supported by other institutions and governments.
Excessive individualism, competition and greed work against community and the
common good.
Rights and Responsibilities – People have a fundamental right to life and to those things necessary for human decent, such as food, shelter, health care, education and employment. People have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Corresponding to these rights are duties and
responsibilities to respect the rights of others and to work for the common good. When people lack the basic necessities to live a life of dignity, their fundamental rights are being denied.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable – Catholic
teaching proclaims that the moral test of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. This calls us to look at public policy
decisions in terms of how they affect the poor. In our present society, a minority of 20% of the people control more than 80% of the
resources, leaving few resources to be shared by a majority of the people.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers – People have a right to humane working
conditions, productive work and fair wages. The economy exists to serve the people, not the other way around. Work is more than a
way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If
the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be
respected.
Solidarity – We are all one human family, and we are responsible for the well-being of each other. This responsibility reaches across national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. Indifference to the pain and suffering of others has no place in our interdependent society. We are all responsible for all.
Care for God’s Creation – All of creation is a gift from God and should be respected as such. We show our respect by the way we care for the earth as stewards of all that has been entrusted to us. We need to examine how
our excessive consumerism and poor environmental practices are exploiting the earth and take measures to correct our destructive patterns.
Brothers and Sisters of St. Martin,
It has become very difficult to discuss issues of social concern in our times, because virtually every issue has been politicized and as
soon as certain words are spoken, or concerns
expressed, many people stop listening and begin
judging or putting one another into categories,
groups or political parties. Even the words “social
justice” may trigger a knee-jerk reaction. But
during the month of November, the diocese is
asking us to highlight key themes of the
Church’s social teaching, to form our consciences
with Gospel values taught to us, through the Church, by the God who is Love. Let us step back from the cultural-political “brink” and be receptive.
The following seven themes highlight some of the key principles that are addressed in Catholic Social Teaching documents.
Life and Dignity of the Human Person – Made in the image and likeness of God, all persons are sacred. Belief in the sanctity of human life and inherent dignity of each person is the foundation of all our social teachings. Today this value is threatened by abortion, assisted su***de, euthanasia, the death penalty, and the many ways in which people are treated with disregard for their human dignity.
Call to Family, Community and Participation – The human person is social as well as sacred. Our Catholic tradition teaches that human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community. The family is the central social institution. Family life needs to be supported by other institutions and governments.
Excessive individualism, competition and greed work against community and the
common good.
Rights and Responsibilities – People have a fundamental right to life and to those things necessary for human decent, such as food, shelter, health care, education and employment. People have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Corresponding to these rights are duties and
responsibilities to respect the rights of others and to work for the common good. When people lack the basic necessities to live a life of dignity, their fundamental rights are being denied.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable – Catholic
teaching proclaims that the moral test of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. This calls us to look at public policy
decisions in terms of how they affect the poor. In our present society, a minority of 20% of the people control more than 80% of the
resources, leaving few resources to be shared by a majority of the people.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers – People have a right to humane working
conditions, productive work and fair wages. The economy exists to serve the people, not the other way around. Work is more than a
way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If
the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be
respected.
Solidarity – We are all one human family, and we are responsible for the well-being of each other. This responsibility reaches across national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. Indifference to the pain and suffering of others has no place in our interdependent society. We are all responsible for all.
Care for God’s Creation – All of creation is a gift from God and should be respected as such. We show our respect by the way we care for the earth as stewards of all that has been entrusted to us. We need to examine how
our excessive consumerism and poor environmental practices are exploiting the earth and take measures to correct our destructive patterns.
