The Catholic Church emphasizes obligations regarding justice, peace, and human dignity through its social doctrine 1. This doctrine is rooted in the belief of the dignity of the human person 2, and it addresses the moral and ethical foundations of a just and humane coexistence 3.

Key Aspects of the Church's Teaching

• Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: The Church's social doctrine is based on permanent principles, including the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity 4 5. These principles are considered the heart of Catholic social teaching and are derived from the Gospel message 5.
• Human Dignity: The Church views the dignity of the human person as paramount, asserting that it cannot be subordinated to any other interest or exploited for other ends 6. This concept is foundational to the Church's stance on social issues 2.
• Justice and Peace: True peace and the common good are linked to justice, both within local communities and in the broader global context 6. The Church promotes justice, the spirit of brotherhood, and the recognition of humanity's common destiny as essential for building genuine peace among peoples 1.
• Evangelization and Social Issues: The Church recognizes that social, financial, and economic problems are connected to evangelization and human dignity 1. It calls for Christians to engage in social and political charity to address issues in areas such as work, the economy, and politics 7.
• Call to Action: The Church encourages its members, especially the laity, to live as witnesses to Christ and to work for justice and peace in society 7. This includes defending life and human rights, promoting the dignity of work, and advocating for a fair economy and environmental stewardship 8.
• Role of the Church: The Church sees its role as proclaiming the "Gospel of love and peace" by promoting justice and human dignity 1. It emphasizes the importance of integrating faith with efforts for social justice, encouraging the faithful to seek transformation through grace and to serve with charity 3.
• Addressing Social Injustices: The Church acknowledges the difficulties in addressing social injustices, especially those deeply embedded in social structures and cultural norms 3. It advocates for dialogue and the application of intelligence and pastoral skills to promote a vision of humanity that aligns with the dignity revealed by Christ 3.
• Importance of Social Doctrine: The Church emphasizes the importance of understanding and disseminating its social doctrine to guide Christian social action 9. It encourages the study and renewal of this doctrine to address contemporary challenges 1. The Church's social teaching calls for the subordination of political and economic forces to the ethical demands of social justice, human rights, and the common good 10. It views the safeguarding and promotion of human dignity and rights, including religious freedom, as a task that the Church must never neglect 2.