CST: Moral vision for today’s church

Pope Leo XIV has said that he will use the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) as the basic framework for his papacy. I feel that it is the moral obligation for all Catholics to understand what CST is all about.

CST is a rich and comprehensive body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church that addresses the complex social, economic and political issues of the modern world. It is grounded in biblical faith, Church tradition and centuries of reflection on justice, human dignity and the common good. It offers a vision for building a just society that upholds the rights of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable.

While the roots of CST can be traced back to Scripture and the early Christian community, its formal modern expression began in the late 19th century. The Bible, particularly the teachings of the prophets and Jesus Christ, consistently emphasizes compassion, justice and concern for the marginalized. These themes shaped the Church’s outlook on human society from the earliest centuries. The writings of Church fathers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas also provided philosophical and theological foundations for later developments in social thought.

The modern tradition of CST formally began with Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891), written in response to the dramatic changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. This document addressed the exploitation of workers, unjust labor conditions and the rise of both capitalism and socialism. It affirmed the dignity of labor, the right to private property and the importance of the state in promoting justice. Rerum Novarum marked the beginning of a series of papal encyclicals and Church documents aimed at applying Gospel values to modern social challenges.

Subsequent popes built upon this foundation, expanding the scope of CST. Pope Pius XI’s Quadragesimo Anno (1931) introduced the principle of subsidiarity and addressed the dangers of totalitarianism and unrestrained capitalism. Pope John XXIII’s Mater et Magistra (1961) and Pacem in Terris (1963) emphasized social justice, international peace and human rights. Pope Paul VI’s Populorum Progressio (1967) highlighted the moral imperative of economic development and solidarity with poorer nations. Pope John Paul II, in Laborem Exercens (1981) and Centesimus Annus (1991), continued this legacy by reflecting on the dignity of work, human freedom and the failures of both socialism and consumerist capitalism.

In the 21st century, Pope Francis has brought renewed urgency to CST through his encyclicals Laudato Si’ (2015), focusing on ecological responsibility and environmental justice, and Fratelli Tutti (2020), which calls for global solidarity, fraternity and a renewed commitment to the common good.

CST is built on several core principles that guide moral action in society. These principles are interrelated and form a cohesive framework for analyzing social issues.

Life and dignity of the human person. This is the foundation of all CST. Every human being is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore possesses inherent dignity and worth. This demands respect for all human life – from conception to natural death – and rejection of practices that harm human dignity, such as abortion, euthanasia and unjust discrimination.

Call to family, community and participation. Humans are social beings, created to live in community. The family is the fundamental unit of society and must be supported and protected. People have a right and duty to participate in social, political and economic life to promote the common good and uphold the well-being of all.

Rights and responsibilities. Every person has basic rights necessary for human flourishing, including the right to food, shelter, education, work and health care. With these rights come responsibilities – to respect the rights of others and to work for the well-being of the broader community.

Option for the poor and vulnerable. A just society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members. CST calls for a preferential option for the poor, which means making their needs a priority in decision-making and resource distribution. It is a call to solidarity with the marginalized.

Dignity of work and the rights of workers. Work is more than a means of survival; it is a way for people to participate in God’s creation. CST upholds the rights of workers to fair wages, safe working conditions, rest and the right to organize and form unions. The economy must serve people, not the other way around.

Solidarity. This is the recognition that we are one human family, regardless of national, ethnic or economic differences. It calls for commitment to the good of all and active efforts to promote peace, justice and mutual responsibility in local and global communities.

Care for God’s creation. As stewards of the Earth, humans have a moral obligation to care for creation. This includes protecting the environment, promoting sustainable development and addressing the ecological crisis.

CST remains deeply relevant in addressing contemporary social challenges. In an age marked by economic inequality, political polarization, environmental crisis and global migration, CST provides a moral compass rooted in faith, reason and compassion. It challenges individuals, communities and governments to act justly, protect the vulnerable and seek the common good above personal or partisan interests.

After 130 years, CST remains as the principal tool for building a just and compassionate society in today’s turbulent, divisive and increasingly conflict-ridden world.

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