Catholic Social Teaching (CST) offers a way of thinking, being, and seeing the world. It provides a vision for a just society in which the dignity of all people is recognised, and those who are vulnerable are cared for. It consists of an interrelated body of Catholic social thought and principles which can be used to reflect on and guide how we relate to one another in our local and global communities.
The perspective and principles of Catholic Social Teaching are a rich heritage, developed as the Church has engaged with key social issues throughout history. Catholic Social Teaching includes insight from the Scriptures, as well as understanding from the thinking, reflections, and lived experience of people throughout the life of the Church.
“An authentic faith – which is never comfortable or completely personal – always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better than we found it.”
(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium)
See, Judge, Act
The tradition of Catholic Social Teaching encourages a process of:
SEE
Looking at the social justice issues as they affect society
JUDGE
Understanding what is happening and why it is happening
ACT
Discerning the actions needed to respond
There are a number of key principles (below) which inform this process of reflection.
Catholic Social Teaching and CSSA
Catholic Social Services Australia’s vision, mission, and day-to-day work are informed by Catholic Social Teaching. The key principles of Catholic Social Teaching shape our policy and advocacy work in responding to key social justice and social service issues. We advocate with and on behalf of our member agencies network which provides services to thousands of vulnerable and disadvantaged people through ongoing social programs every day. We also collaborate with the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace, an agency of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, and the Major Church Providers on social justice issues.
Key Principles
There are four foundational principles of Catholic Social Teaching:
Human Dignity
We recognise the sacredness of life and that every person has inherent dignity and worth. Our human rights and responsibilities are founded on this essential, shared human dignity.
The Common Good
We have responsibility for one another in our life together and are called to work for the common good of all. We must advocate for a just society in which all people, particularly the vulnerable and marginalised, are able to flourish and meet their needs.
Subsidiarity
The capacity and capabilities of people and communities ought to be respected, with decisions made at the lowest local level possible. Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in and contribute to decision processes that closely affect them.
Solidarity
Humans are social by nature and depend on one another. We seek to stand in unity with each other, particularly those who are powerless or disadvantaged, and recognise each person’s rights regardless of our differences.
Preferential Option for the Poor
The needs of the socially disadvantaged and vulnerable are prioritised.
Stewardship of Creation
Care for the earth, recognising that all of creation is interconnected and we are part of and dependent on the environment. Pope Francis has recently referred to this as integral ecology.
Papal Encyclicals
The following Papal Encyclicals are just some of the key Church documents which have contributed to the development and application of Catholic Social Teachings. Other relevant Papal documents are:
- Rerum Novarum Capital and Labour 1891, Pope Leo XIII
- Gaudium et Spes Joys and Hopes 1965, Second Vatican Council
- Sollicitudo Rei Socialis The Social Concern of the Church 1987, Pope John Paul II
- Deus Caritas Est God is Love 2005, Pope Benedict XVI
- Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel 2013, Pope Francis
- Laudato Si’ On Care for our Common Home 2015, Pope Francis
- Fratelli Tutti On Fraternity and Social Friendship 2020, Pope Francis
- Dilexit Nos On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ, Pope Francis
Social Justice Statement 2024-2025
Every year, the Australian Catholic Bishops release a social justice statement – continuing a tradition dating back to 1940. These statements inspire the Catholic community to engage with pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, deepening our collective understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and reaffirming the Church’s mission in society. Social Justice Sunday, now celebrated on the last Sunday in August, serves as a timely call for reflection and action across the nation.
“How much our world has a need for peace? We cannot help but notice how more fractious and violent it has become. The newly released Social Justice Statement 2024-2025 by the Bishops of Australia entitled “Truth & Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World” makes us aware of 55 state-based conflicts and 82 non-state conflicts affecting two billion people worldwide. In the midst of all of this, the very nature of truth itself is compromised. This includes disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories. The Statement speaks to the reality of how the very concept of truth is being projected and thought about today.
Within this atmosphere, we can become anxious and discouraged. Yet, at the very heart of the gospel is a message of Hope. We are encouraged to trust and be open to the divine gift of Peace and at the same time becoming active in peace-making efforts. The Truth & Peace Statement invites us to recognise the capacity of the human being to build trust and to encounter the other not as an enemy but as a fellow human being. The message of this Statement calls us all to embrace Truth telling, dialogue and a generosity of spirit in doing all in our power to end the untold suffering and deaths affecting so many. The Jesus of the Gospels invites us to be bold. It is to be open to the Spirit of Christ, urging us on to build a more humane and fraternal world.”
Most Rev Martin Ashe, Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
To watch the launch video of the Statement, click here.
Further Information
Further information and resources on the core principles and application of Catholic Social Teachings are available at the Office of Justice, Ecology and Peace, Catholic Mission, and Caritas Australia websites.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html