As members of the body of Christ, we are each called to live out the Gospel not only in words, but in action. Catholic social teaching provides a blueprint for how we put our faith into action. This edition of focus presents the seven themes of Catholic social teaching and invites Catholics reflect on how they can incorporate these principles into their lives, so as to more actively proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ both in word and deed.
MCC’s advocacy this week included support for increased transparency around abortion, tougher penalties for human trafficking, support for school safety policies, and more.
The Christian faith demands more than just lip service; it requires action. The principles of Catholic social teaching show us what that action looks like; they also help us to engage more deeply with Jesus’s instruction to “love thy neighbor.”
See pictures from an MCC reception held earlier this fall for the Catholic bishops in Michigan to meet with state representatives, senators, and their staff.
Despite MCC objections and the voices of more than 1,000 grassroots advocates, the state approved the promotion of gender ideology in public school health education. Also this week, MCC offered support for legislation related to abortion reporting requirements and parental consent for minors' use of social media.
These nine advocacy principles originate from Catholic social teaching and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Within each principle are specific policy priorities MCC brings to dialogue that occurs at the state Capitol.
Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
All people must have access to basic human needs to ensure they can live in a dignified manner, with a particular concern for the poor, the vulnerable, and anyone who goes without those basic needs.
Faith-based organizations provide services to the needy and contribute to the common welfare of society through institutions like schools and hospitals. Faith is what animates these providers to serve and is the foundational dimension of their identity.
The human dignity of both the crime victim and the offender should be acknowledged within the criminal justice system when considering punishment and the capacity for rehabilitation.
The human dignity of the immigrant, the refugee and the asylee—regardless of personal circumstances, background, or even legal status—must not be forgotten when considering how to manage immigration practices.
Environmental stewardship has a moral dimension, particularly in the recognition of the impact that environmental deterioration has on people, families, and the poor.
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we wish to highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.
