An Introduction to the Principles of Catholic Social Thought

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The creation of the Center for Social Concerns was inspired by the people, documents and principles of the Catholic social tradition. Growing out of the Center for Experiential Learning and the Volunteer Services Office of the 1970’s, the Center staff hopes to challenge ourselves and others in the words of John Paul II, to “the ‘new evangelization,’ … which must include among its essential elements a proclamation of the church’s social doctrine.”

Our current effort is to more proactively promote the integration of Catholic social thought (CST) with our programs and courses. Over the years we have observed that many students who come into our programs are not aware of Catholic social thought but once they read and study CST, they find that their service and social awareness experiences are enhanced by the integration of these principles with their experiential learning. Thus, we have prepared this document to assist students in integrating Catholic social thought with their service experience and actions for justice.

The principles of Catholic social thought are drawn from papal documents, conciliar documents, and statements from Bishops’ conferences in the past 100+ years. The documents, however, are best understood by studying the underpinnings of the principles in Scriptures and in the lives and work of many men and women in the Christian tradition. The development of Catholic social thought continues today in both theory and practice.

As you read the following descriptions of the principles, it is important to see the principles as intimately connected, yet standing on their own. The foundational principle is the common good based on the understanding in Catholic social thought that persons are created as social beings, always in interrelationship and interdependence with others (Principle 1). Catholic social thought also promotes the dignity of every human being, as each is made in the image and likeness of God, but this dignity always needs to be seen in relationship to the promotion of the common good ( Principle 2).

Human dignity grounds and is protected by a spectrum of human rights and corresponding duties. This principle of the correlation of rights and duties promotes just living conditions for all as well as the dignity of work and the rights of workers (Principle 3). Many persons, though, are marginalized in our society and all are called to make an option for the poor (Principle 4), keeping those who are economically poor in the forefront of our minds in all decision-making.

As stewards of God’s creation, both in terms of people and the earth, (Principle 5) we need to face the environmental concerns of our day, which disproportionately affect the economically poor. In response to how decisions are made to address the challenges in each of the spheres of society, the principle of subsidiarity (Principle 6) calls for action at the lowest level possible.

For further explanation of each of these principles and examples of how students have reflected on the meaning of each principle in relation to their experience with social concerns, please read on and then engage with others in this ongoing conversation.

(1) The Common Good

(2) The Life and Dignity of the Human Person

(3) The Correlation of Rights and Responsibilities

(4) The Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

(5) Stewardship and Care for Creation

(6) Subsidiarity