The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that God is the first cause who works through secondary causes, and that this truth enhances rather than diminishes the dignity of creatures. Creatures cannot attain their ultimate end without the help of God's grace.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the truth that God is at work in all the actions of his creatures is inseparable from faith in God the Creator. God is the first cause who operates in and through secondary causes, as it is written: "For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."1 This truth far from diminishes the creature's dignity, but rather enhances it. Creatures are drawn from nothingness by God's power, wisdom and goodness, and can do nothing if they are cut off from their origin, for "without a Creator the creature vanishes."1 However, according to the Catechism, still less can a creature attain its ultimate end without the help of God's grace.1