One of the 2003-04 goals of the St. Vivian AMOS core team is to learn about Catholic Social Teaching and to spread this word among the St. Vivian community. We have viewed video programs and discussed this topic at our meetings. We are proposing a presentation for the parish at large, perhaps during Advent, and other ways to increase awareness of Catholic Social Teaching.

The bishops of the United States have summarized the Church's teaching on social morality by naming seven core principles. Each of the principles is explained in a letter the bishops issued, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Principles. The core principles are listed below.

Rights and Responsibilities - human dignity can be protected and healthy community achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.

 

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable - our tradition recalls the story of the last judgment and instructs us to put the needs of the poor first.

 

Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers - work is a form of participating in God's creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers are to be protected.

 

Call to Family and Community participation - The role of government is to protect human life and dignity and promote the common good.

 

Solidarity - Practicing the virtue of solidarity means learning that "loving our neighbor" has global dimensions in an interdependent world.

 

Care for God's Creation - we are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all God's creation.

 

Life and Dignity of the Human Person - Human life is sacred and human dignity is the foundation of a moral vision for society.