Major Documents of CST and Key Principles

• Catholic Social Teachings (CST)


  Body of doctrine and principles developed by the Catholic Church over time to address social and economic issues affecting human dignity and well-being
• Catholic Social Teachings


  • Based on the belief that every person is made in the image of God and therefore has inherent worth and dignity
  • Seeks to promote the common good, protect the vulnerable, and create a more just society
• Rerum Novarum (1891)


  • Written by Pope Leo XIII, considered to be the foundation of modern Catholic Social Teaching
  • Addressed the social and economic issues of the time, including the exploitation of workers and the need for just wages and working conditions
  • Affirmed the right to private property and the importance of subsidiarity, which emphasizes the importance of decision-making at the local level
• Quadragesimo Anno (1931)


  • Written by Pope Pius XI, builds on the themes of Rerum Novarum and addresses the challenges of the Great Depression
  • Emphasizes the importance of distributive justice and the role of the state in promoting the common good
  • Introduces the concept of socialization, which argues for the collective ownership of certain goods and resources
• Mater et Magistra (1961)


  • Written by Pope John XXIII, responds to the changing social and economic conditions of the mid-20th century
  • Emphasizes the importance of the international community and the need for cooperation among nations
  • Calls for greater attention to the needs of the poor and marginalized, and affirms the Church's commitment to social justice
• Pacem in Terris (1963)


  • Written by Pope John XXIII, addresses issues of peace and justice in the context of the Cold War
  • Affirms the importance of human rights and the need for disarmament
  • Emphasizes the importance of dialogue and cooperation among nations and calls for greater solidarity among peoples
• Gaudium et Spes (1965)


  • Produced by the Second Vatican Council and addresses a wide range of social, political, and economic issues
  • Emphasizes the dignity of the human person and the importance of human rights
  • Affirms the role of the Church in promoting social justice and the importance of lay participation in social and political life
• Populorum Progressio (1967)


  • Written by Pope Paul VI, focuses on development and the needs of the global South
  • Emphasizes the importance of economic development that respects human dignity and the environment
  • Calls for greater attention to the needs of the poor and marginalized, particularly in the context of globalization
• Octogesima Adveniens (1971)


  • Written by Pope Paul VI, reflects on the social and political changes of the late 1960s and early 1970s
  • Emphasizes the importance of participation and subsidiarity, and calls for greater attention to the needs of women, youth, and minorities
  • Affirms the importance of non-violent social change
• Laborem Exercens (1981)


  • Written by Pope John Paul II, addresses issues of work and economic justice
  • Emphasizes the importance of the worker and the need for just wages and working conditions
  • Affirms the role of labor unions in promoting social justice
• Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (1987)


  • Written by Pope John Paul II, reflects on the 20th anniversary of Populorum Progressio
  • Emphasizes the need for greater solidarity among peoples and the importance of addressing global poverty and inequality
  • Calls for greater attention to the needs of the environment and affirms the importance of human rights
• Centesimus Annus (1991)


  • Written by Pope John Paul II on the 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, reflects on the changes in social, political, and economic life in the 20th century
  • Affirms the importance of free markets and economic freedom, but also emphasizes the need for greater
• Caritas in Veritate (2009)


  • By Pope Benedict XVI that emphasizes the importance of charity and truth in Catholic social teaching
  • Addresses a variety of topics, including globalization, economic development, environmental stewardship, and the role of the state in promoting the common good
  • Key themes include the importance of ethical and moral considerations in economic activity, the need for greater global solidarity, and the relationship between charity and justice
• Veritatis Splendor (1993)


  • Written by Pope John Paul II, addresses moral theology and the importance of objective truth
  • Emphasizes the importance of moral absolutes and the role of conscience in making moral decisions
• Evangelium Vitae (1995)

  • Written by Pope John Paul II, addresses the Church's teaching on the dignity of human life
  • Emphasizes the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and the importance of protecting human life in all its forms
• Fides et Ratio

  Written by Pope John Paul II in 1998, addresses the relationship between faith and reason, emphasizes the importance of reason in understanding the natural world and the need for faith in understanding the supernatural
• Laudato Si

  Written by Pope Francis in 2015, addresses the Church's teaching on the environment and climate change, emphasizes the importance of caring for God's creation and the need for a comprehensive approach to environmental issues
• Fratelli Tutti


  Written by Pope Francis in 2020, addresses the Church's teaching on social friendship and solidarity, emphasizes the importance of promoting social harmony and the need for a renewed commitment to the common good