Press "Enter" to skip to content

Catholic Social Principles

Lifted from Second Plenary Council of the Philippines. Acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines. Manila: CBCP, 1992, #s 290-329.

What does the social doctrine of the Church offer to conscience? From the wellspring of the Church’s social doctrine emerges a moral and spiritual vision of the human person and of society. This doctrinal corpus challenges the imbalances of society and the attitudes of individuals. It offers guidelines to persons on how to live the Gospel of Jesus. It presents “principles of reflection”, “criteria of judgement”, and “directives for action”, oriented towards moral conduct.

In the light of our situation we believe that certain truths in the social doctrine of the Church stand out as urgent and necessary. These truths, needing emphasis today for the development of the just life and of the just society which serves that life, are: Integral Development based on Human Dignity and Solidarity; Universal Purpose of Earthly Goods and Private Property; Social Justice and Love; Peace and Active Non-Violence; Love of Preference for the Poor; the Value of Human Work; the Integrity of Creation; the Empowerment of People.

We need to proclaim these principles, “whether convenient or inconvenient—correcting, reproving, appealing—constantly teaching and never losing patience.”

[WPSM_AC_SH id=1209]