The 10 Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching

America

William J. Byron October 31, 1998

"Homeless Jesus" is pictured in this file photo of the seven-foot-long bronze sculpture that sits in front of a downtown Washington building occupied by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington. (CNS photo/Chaz Muth)

Principles, once internalized, lead to something. They prompt activity, impel motion, direct choices. A principled person always has a place to stand, knows where he or she is coming from and likely to end up. Principles always lead the person who possesses them somewhere, for some purpose, to do something, or choose not to.
In June, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops issued Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions--Reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, a document intended to call the attention of all U.S. Catholics to the existence of Catholic social principles--a body of doctrine with which, the bishops say, "far too many Catholics are not familiar." In fact, they add, "many Catholics do not adequately understand that the social teaching of the Church is an essential part of Catholic faith." Strong words.

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