Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching is an important part of our faith and is rooted in the Gospel.  The following are the seven key themes of Catholic social teaching.  For a more indepth understanding of Catholic social teaching, go to the USCCB's website.

"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."

~From "Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching" USCCB's website

Learn more about Life and Dignity of the Human Person

 

"Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith."

~Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (USCCB, 1998)

Contact

If you have any questions about Catholic social teaching in the Archdiocese of Seattle, contact Terri Nelson, Director of Integral Human Development, terri.nelson@seattlearch.org.