Dignity of Work Work is an expression of dignity. Economy exists to serve people, not vice versa.

Ecological Responsibility This flows from the dignity of all of creation. We are to respect and share earth's resources.

Economic Justice Economy is for people, not vice-versa. World's resources are shared equitably. Just wages and rights of workers to organize are respected.

Linkage of Religious and Social Religious and social dimensions of life are intimately connected; thus, faith and justice are linked.

Promotion of Common Good Individual freedoms are in balance with the good of society, domestically and globally. Structures are created that give people opportunity to participate and to fulfill basic needs.

Promotion of Peace Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent on right order among humans and nations. The arms race must cease. Progressive disarmament is necessary for secure future.

Rights and Responsibilities Basic rights are respected and promoted. Democratic participation in decision-making is a right and responsibility. It is necessary to seek the common good.

Solidarity As one family, interconnection demands respect and value. There are mutual obligations to promote rights and developments of all peoples. International structures must reflect justice.

Special Claim of Poor and Vulnerable People Those with greatest need require greatest response; this builds a just society.

Subsidiarity In local communities and institutions, responsibilities and decisions are made at the level nearest to individual initiative and in relation to governmental structures that promote common good.

1931, Quadragesimo Anno [After Forty Years] (On the Reconstruction of the Social Order) Pope Pius XI. Justice as norm for social relationships that allow personal growth.

1961, Mater et Magistra (Christianity and Social Progress) Pope John XXIII. Response to unequal distribution of world's wealth and resources.

1963, Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) Pope John XXIII. Christians called to eliminate poverty and promote human rights and peace.

1967, Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples) Pope Paul VI. Speaks to challenges of development for all peoples.

1971, Octogesima Adveniens (Call to Action) Pope Paul VI. Appeals for greater justice in all areas of life. Encourages Christians to reflect and to act.

1981, Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) Pope John Paul II. Work expresses and increases human dignity. People are subjects of work, not its objects.

1987, Solicitudo Rei Socialis (On Social Concern) Pope John Paul II. Names "structures of sin." Calls for solidarity and "option for the poor" by wealthy nations.

1991, Centesimus Annus (Hundredth Year) Pope John Paul II. Identifies failure of socialist and market economies. Calls for a society of work, enterprise, and participation.

1995, Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) Pope John Paul II. Calls for transformation from culture of death to life. Value and inviolability of human life from womb to tomb.

1997, Developing Special Concern for the Homeless Pope John Paul II. Lenten message for first year of preparation for Jubilee 2000.

1998, Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason) Pope John Paul II. Faith and reason support each other and are basis for planetary ethics.

2002, No Peace without Justice, No Justice without Forgiveness Pope John Paul II. Message for World Day of Peace, January 1.

2004, An Ever Timely Commitment: Teaching Peace Pope John Paul II. Message for January 1, World Day of Peace.

2003, Pacem in Terris: A Permanent Commitment Pope John Paul II. Message for January 1, World Day of Peace. 40th anniversary of Pacem in Terris.

2005, Do Not Be Overcome by Evil But Overcome Evil by Good Pope John Paul II. Message for January 1, World Day of Peace.

2005, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love) Pope Benedict XVI. Christian love links love of neighor and justice.

2006, In Truth, Peace Pope Benedict XVI. Message for World Day of Peace, January 1.

2006, Urbi et Orbi Pope Benedict XVI. Christmas message calling for removal of barriers to peace.

2007, The Human Person, the Heart of Peace Pope Benedict XVI. Message for World Day of Peace, January 1.

2007, Sacramentum Caritatis (Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist) Pope Benedict XVI. Letter stresses social dimension of Eucharist.

2008, The Human Family, a Community of Peace Pope Benedict XVI. Message for World Day of Peace, January 1.

2009, Fighting Poverty to Build Peace Pope Benedict XVI. Message for World Day of Peace, January 1.

2009, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) Pope Benedict XVI. Encyclical letter on intregal human development in charity and truth.

2009, Message for 96th World Day of Migrants and Refugess (2010) Pope Benedict XVI. Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, January 17.

2010, If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation Pope Benedict XVI. Message for World Day of Peace, January 1.

1919, Pastoral Letter of 1919 U.S. Bishops. Church and societal roles following World War 1.

1968, Justice Latin American Bishops Medellín, Colombia. Participation necessary for just economic system. Role of government is to promote common good.

1968, Peace Latin American Bishops Medellín, Colombia. Peace, a permanent task, is a work of justice. Peace is a result of love.

1968, Poverty in the Church Latin American Bishops Medellín, Colombia. Stresses need for just structures that promote participation and liberation.

1974, Evangelization in Modern Day Asia Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. Evangelization occurs within profound societal transformation. Dialogue with other religions and with poor is central.

1975, This Land Is Home to Me U.S. Bishops of Appalachia. Poetic response to powerlessness felt by people of Appalachia.

1979, Brothers and Sisters to Us U.S. Bishops. Pastoral letter ddresses divisions, ill-treatment, and economic disparities caused by racism.

1979, Puebla Conference Documents Latin American Bishops. Examines problems confronting people and speaks to church's role in addressing them. Option for the poor.

1980, Statement on Capital Punishment U.S. Bishops. Affirms dignity of life. Stresses ending cycle of violence and following example of Jesus.

1981, Justice and Evangelization in Africa Bishops of Africa and Madagascar. Contrasts Christian vision for justice and realities in Africa. Outlines a pastoral response.

1983, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response U.S. Bishops. Proposals, perspectives, policies, and principles for peace in modern world.

1984, What We Have Seen and Heard U.S. Black Bishops. A pastoral letter on evangelization.

1986, Economic Justice for All: On Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy U.S. Bishops. Challenge to use resources of faith, economy, and democratic principles to promote dignity and basic rights of all peoples.

1986, To the Ends of the Earth U.S. Bishops. Mission springs from sense of discipleship to meet physical and spiritual needs of people and communities.

1990, Make Justice Your Aim U.S. Bishops of Alabama. Addresses issues related to poverty in Alabama.

1991, Renewing the Earth U.S. Bishops. Emphasis on parishes as communities of faith, action, and hope..

1993, Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish U.S. Bishops. Provides framework for parish social ministry.

1993, The Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace U.S. Bishops. A call to peacemaking in a new world. 10th Anniversary of The Challenge of Peace and 30th anniversary of Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth).

1993, What Church Social Teaching Is and Is Not Pope John Paul II. Speech clarifying meaning of Centesimus Annus (1991).

1995, At Home in the Web of Life U.S. Bishops of Appalachia. Pastoral message on sustainable communities in Appalachia. 20th Anniversary of This Land Is Home to Me.

1995, Decade after Economic Justice for All: Continuing Principles, Changing Context, New Challenges U.S. Bishops. Call to "conversion and common action, to new forms of stewardship, service, and citizenship."

1996, A Catholic Framework for Economic Life U.S. Bishops. Ethical framework with 10 key principles for reflection, judgment, and action.

1996, Environmental Crises: The Place of the Human Being in the Cosmos U.S. Bishops. Ethical framework with 10 key principles for reflection, judgement, and action.

1996, The Common Good and the Catholic Church's Social Teaching Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Challenges Catholics to apply principles of social teaching to advance common good.

1997, Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes U.S. Bishops. Statement on global interdependence.

1998, Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice U.S. Bishops. Pastoral reflection on lay discipleship for justice in new millennium.

1998, Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics U.S. Bishops. Challenges U.S. citizens to address consumerism and militarism. Calls for commitment to human rights.

1998, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions U.S. Bishops. Reflections on social teaching. Also includes summary report of Task Force on Catholic Social Teaching.

1998, The Morality of Nuclear Deterrence Pax Christi U.S. Bishops. Evaluation of U.S. nuclear weapons policy and practice; rejection of nuclear deterrence based on three moral considerations.

1999, A Fair and Just Workplace: Principles and Practices for Catholic Health Care Domestic Policy Committee' U.S. Bishops. A Working Paper to assist dioceses, congregations, unions, and others in just unionizing principles.

1999, Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium Administrative Board of U.S. Bishops. Statement on political responsibility to shape a society committed to justice and peace.

2000, Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice U.S. Bishops. Focus on reconciliation and rehabilitation in criminal justice system.

2000, Sudan's Cry for Peace Office of Social Development and World Peace -- U.S. Bishops. A plea for international efforts to help bring peace to war-torn Sudan.

2000, Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity U.S. Bishops. A call to conversion, communion, and solidarity with immigrants and refugees.

2001, A Call to Solidarity with Africa U.S. Bishops. With hope and concern, a pastoral message on Church's role in addressing poverty, disease, war, and refugees in Africa.

2001, Cry of the Earth; Cry of the Poor Canadian Bishops. Environmental devastation and the struggle of the economically poor as interrelated issues of concern for Catholics.

2001, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good U.S. Bishops. A call to mitigate global climate change in ways that are just and sustainable.

2001, A Pastoral Message: Living with Faith and Hope after September 11 U.S. Bishops. Consolation, criteria for moral discernment, and a call to action and solidarity. Very controversial application of "just war" theory.

2001, Renewing U.S. Leadership in Refugee Protection U.S. Bishops. Calls for renewed commitment to generosity and ideals on which country is founded.

2001, Reverence for Life: A Message for the 21st Century Catholic Bishops of Japan. Addresses a host of difficult issues from the womb to the tomb.

2001, The Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation and the Common Good 12 U.S. & Canadian Bishops. Promotes watershed dialogue to resolve conflicts and to promote sustainable ecological relationships.

2002, A New Earth: The Environmental Challenge Australian. Bishops. Call for ecological conversion to deal with environmental crisis.

2002, A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children U.S. Bishops. Pastoral reflection on world poverty and call to address it.

2002, Statement on Iraq U.S. Bishops. Urges international community to "step back from the brink of war."

2002, Statement on Israeli-Palestinian Violence Administrative Committee U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Advocates nonviolence and a just peace.

2002, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women U.S. Bishops. 10th anniversary revised edition calling for major efforts to end domestic violence.

2003, Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility U.S. Bishops. A call for active citizenship, during the election process, based on a seamless ethic of life.

2003, For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food U.S. Bishops. Pastoral reflection on food, farmers, and farm workers.

2003, Labor Day 2003: Recommitting to Justice for Farm Workers Office of Social Development and World Peace -- U.S. Bishops. Pastoral message that defends dignity of farm workers and other agricultural workers.

2003, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope Mexican/U.S. Bishops. Pastoral message on common history of migration, a shared faith, and solidarity with immigrants.

2005, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death U.S. Bishops. Pastoral message reaffirming death penalty as unjustified and unnecessary in our times.

2005, Climate Change: Our Responsibility to Sustain God’s Earth Australian Bishops’ Committee for Justice, Development, Ecology and Peace. Document on global warming.

2005, You Welcomed Me U.S. Bishops of Arizona and Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys. Pastoral letter on migration and public policy.

2006, A Letter to Catholics in Wisconsin on the Death Penalty Wisconsin Bishops. Pastoral letter on death penalty referendum.

2007, A Call for Bipartisan Cooperation on Responsible Transition in Iraq President of USCCB, affirmed by full body of U.S. Bishops. A call for a new direction in Iraq policy.

2007, God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed Zimbabwe Bishops. Pastoral letter on current crisis their country.

2007, I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: Meeting Christ in New Neighbors Indiana Bishops A pastoral letter on migrants and immigration reform. (In Español and English)

2007, Who Is My Neighbor? Australia's Role as a Global Citizen Australian Bishops. Statement on global role. Hope for globalization without marginalization.

1971, Justicia in Mundo (Justice in the World) World Synod of Bishops. A call to action for justice and to participate in transforming world as constituitive dimensions of preaching the Gospel.

1982, Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. Inhuman conditions of refugees calls for active Christian citizenship.

1996, World Hunger, A Challenge for All: A Development in Solidarity Pontifical Council "Cor Unum." Ethical implications of problem of hunger: "not a moment to lose" to bring justice.

1997, Towards a Better Distribution of Land: The Challenge of Agrarian Reform Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Concentration and misappropriation of land is causing dramatic human, social, and ethical problems.

2002, The Participation of Catholics in Political Life Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Catholics are called to participate in democratic societies.

2001-2009, Public Statements. Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Statements on social justice issues: wars in Middle East, immigration, proliferation of nuclear weapons, abuse of prisoners, etc.

2009, Called to Something New: People's Peace Initiative. English. Spanish, a Catholic Collaboration. Articulates challenges of peace in 21st century.