Seven
Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
I talked about the dangers of single-issue voting in my post
on Sunday. To run with one issue to the exclusion of all others has resulted in
many miscarriages of justice. For those who may not be familiar with the
breadth of Catholic Social teaching, I have taken the following themes from the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. There follows a comparison with
the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and
that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for
society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social
teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and
euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic
stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting
of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching
also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life
by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by
peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more
important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it
threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize
our society -- in economics and politics, in law and policy -- directly affects
human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage
and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and
strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to
participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all,
especially the poor and vulnerable.
Rights and Responsibilities
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be
protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are
protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a
fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human
decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one
another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are
faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our
tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us
to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
The economy must serve 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--the right to productive work, to decent
and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property,
and to economic initiative.
Solidarity
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic,
economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’
keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a
shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of
justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for
justice.1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters
and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence
and conflict.
Care for God's Creation
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of
creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a
requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet,
living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental
challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
A View
from A Different Perspective
As a comparison, here is the witness from a different faith
perspective, on the other end of the spectrum, so to speak:
The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalists Association found
on the UnitarianUniversalists Association website:
Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven
Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out
these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality,
drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and
personal experience.
As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are
not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join
and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
1. 1st
Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. 2nd
Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. 3rd
Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in
our congregations;
4. 4th
Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. 5th
Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within
our congregations and in society at large;
6. 6th
Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for
all;
7. 7th
Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are
a part.
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Most faith traditions have a holistic vision for a fair and
equitable society. When you go to the polls to vote, consider how to best
implement your values and hopes for a better world.
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