The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition and the basis for outreach ministries at St Thomas More.
“Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.”
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
“The theological dimension is needed both for interpreting and for solving present day problems in human society”
Saint John Paul II, Centesimus Annus
“The common good is the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment”
Vatican II