Catholic Social Doctrine References

CATHOLICS FOR THE COMMON GOOD'S FOCUS AND SELECTED CATHOLIC TEACHINGS

Respect for Life at all stages and conditions. The most basic human right is life.

• NEW Love in Truth (Caritas in Veritate) Encyclical Pope Benedict XVI, 2009
  
• Gospel of Life Encyclical Pope John Paul the Great
• Living the Gospel of Life US Bishops
• NEW Instruction Dignitas Personae on Bioethics Vatican CDF, 2008
  
• Humanae Vitae Pope Paul VI
• Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation (Donum Vitae) Vatican CDF
• The Views of the Holy See on Human Embryonic Cloning (presented to the United Nations)
• Questions about Medically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration US Bishops
• Declaration on Euthanasia Vatican
• Lenten Message 2005, Reflection on Threats to the Elderly Pope John Paul the Great

Protect Marriage, the Family and Children

NEW Summaries -- Marriage, Family and Children
from the Compendium of Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church

• God's Plan of Love for Humanity 
• The Family, the Vital Cell of Society

Marriage

• Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World (Familiaris Consortio) Pope John Paul the Great
• Considerations on Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons Vatican
• Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions US Bishops
• Defending Marriage Massachusetts Bishops
• Family, Marriage and "De Facto" Unions Vatican

Family

• Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World Pope John Paul II
• Letter to Families from Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II
• Charter of the Rights of the Family Holy See
• Charter of the Rights of the Family Explained US Bishops

Pornography

• NEW Pornography and the Attack on the Living Temple of God - Bishop Paul S. Loverde (Arlington)
• NEW Dignity of the Human Person and the Dangers of Pornography - Bishop Robert Finn (Kansas City - St. Joseph)

Human Sexuality

• A Theological Reflection on the Human Body Archbishop Myers (Newark)
• Redemption of the Body Bishop Robert Baker (Charleston)
• Humanae Vitae Pope Paul VI
• Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World (sections 11-16) Pope John Paul II
• NEW Deus Caritas Est Pope Benedict XVI

Homosexuality

• NEW Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care** U.S. Bishops
• Instruction on Pastoral Care for Homosexual Persons Vatican
• Considerations on Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons Vatican
• Letter on Homosexuality - Archbishop Sean O'Malley (Boston)
• Instruction on Homosexuality and Priestly Vocations Vatican
  • Statement on Instruction on Homosexuality and Priestly Vocations Bishop Skylstad, President of the USCCB
  • Statement on Instruction on Homosexuality and Priestly Vocations Bishop Robert Baker (Charleston)
  • Statement on Instruction on Homosexuality and Priestly Vocations Archbishop Charles Chaput (Denver)
• Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers US Bishops

Advance Human Freedom

• The Splendor of Truth Encyclical Pope John Paul the Great
• Doctrinal Note on Participation of Catholics in Political Life Vatican
• Declaration on Religious Freedom Vatican II

Defend and Serve the Poor and Vulnerable

• NEW Love in Truth (Caritas in Veritate) Encyclical Pope Benedict XVI, 2009
  
• On Social Concern (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis) (1987) Encyclical Pope John Paul II
• On the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum Encyclical Pope John Paul II
• On Human Work (Laborem Exercens) Encyclical Pope John Paul II, 1981
• On the Condition of Workers (Rerum Novarum) Encyclical Pope Leo XIII, 1891
• NEW Deus Caritas Est Pope Benedict XVI, 2005
• Reconstruction of the Social Order (Quadragesimo Anno) Encyclical Pius XI, 1931
• Christianity and Social Progress (Mater et Magistra); Encyclical Pope John XXIII, 1961
• Peace on Earth (Pacem in Terris) Encyclical Pope John XXIII, 1963
• The Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes) Vatican II
• The Development of Peoples Pope Paul VI, 1967
• Instruction on Certain Aspects of the "Theology of Liberation" Vatican CDF, 1984
• Economic Justice for All US Bishops, 1986

Participation of the Laity

• NEW Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States US Bishops
• NEW The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Summary -- US Bishops
• Lay Members of Christ Faithful People (Christifideles Laici) John Paul II
  (including the call for this new Catholic action)
• The Apostolate of the Laity Vatican II
• Lumen Gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church Vatican II
• Doctrinal Note on Participation of Catholics in Political Life ** Congregation For The Doctrine Of The Faith
• Ecclesia in America (the Church in America) ** Pope John Paul the Great
• NEW Spe Salvi (Saved by Hope) Pope Benedict XVI, 2007
  
• NEW Deus Caritas Est Pope Benedict XVI, 2005
  
• The Splendor of Truth Encyclical Pope John Paul the Great**

Other Important Teachings for Formation

• NEW Spe Salvi (Saved by Hope) Pope Benedict XVI, 2007
• NEW Sacramentum Caritatis, Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist Pope Benedict XVI
• NEW Tender Mercy of God, On Forgiveness and Reconciliation Archbishop Jose Gomez (San Antonio)
• NEW Deus Caritas Est Pope Benedict XVI, 2005
  
• The Church in America (Ecclesia in America) Pope John Paul the Great

Vatican II Documents

Constitutions

• Lumen Gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church ***
• Gaudium et Spes, The Pastoral Constitution
• Dei Verbum, Dogmatic, Consitution on Divine Revelation
  
• Sacrosanctum Concilium, Consitution on Divine Liturgy

Declarations

• Dignitatis humanae, Declaration on Religious Freedom
• Nostra Aetate, Declaration on Ecumenism
• Gravissimum Educationis, Declaration on Christian Education
  

Decrees

• Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity ***
• Christus Dominus, Pastoral Office of the Bishops
• Ad Gentes, Decree on Missionary Activity
• Others