Social Justice Quotes 2007

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for August 26, 2007

Excessive economic, social and cultural inequalities among peoples arouse tensions and conflicts, and are a danger to peace. 
(#76) Populorum Progressio - On the Development of Peoples
Pope Paul VI, 1967.

for August 19, 2007

This teaching rests on one basic principle: individual human beings are the foundation, the cause and the end of every social institution. That is necessarily so, for men are by nature social beings.
(#219) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher), Pope John XXIII, 1961

for August 12, 2007

It is not enough, for example, to acknowledge and respect every man's right to the means of subsistence if we do not strive to the best of our ability for a sufficient supply of what is necessary for his sustenance.   (#32) Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1963

for August 5, 2007

It is not enough merely to formulate a social doctrine. It must be translated into reality. And this is particularly true of the Church's social doctrine, the light of which is Truth, Justice its objective, and Love its driving force.  (#226) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) Pope John XXIII, 1961

for July 29, 2007

Catholic social teaching, like philosophical reflection, must distinguishes three dimensions of basic justice: commutative justice, distributive justice, and social justice
Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World [24], Second Vatican Council, 1965.

for July 22, 2007

In teaching us charity, the Gospel instructs us in the preferential respect due the poor and the special situation they have in society: the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others.
Octogesima Adveniens- A Call to Action (#23), Pope Paul VI, 1971

for July 15, 2007

Both for nations and for individual men, avarice is the most evident form of moral underdevelopment.  
(#19) Populorum Progressio On the Development of Peoples, Pope Paul VI, 1967

for July 8, 2007

This means that, if any government does not acknowledge the rights of the human person or violates them, it not only fails in its duty, but its orders completely lack juridical force. 
Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) (#61), Pope John XXIII, 1963

for July 1, 2007

The economic prosperity of any people is to be assessed not so much from the sum total of goods and wealth possessed as from the distribution of goods according to norms of justice. 
(#74) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) Pope John XXIII, 1961

for June 24, 2007

One of the fundamental duties of civil authorities, therefore, is to coordinate social relations in such fashion that the exercise of one person's rights does not threaten others in the exercise of their own rights nor hinder them in the fulfilment of their duties.
(#62) Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1963.

for June 17, 2007

There can be no progress towards the complete development of individuals without the simultaneous development of all humanity in the spirit of solidarity.   
(#43) Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples) Pope Paul VI, 1967

for June 10, 2007

Wherefore, whatever the progress in technology and economic life, there can be neither justice nor peace in the world, so long as men fail to realise how great is their dignity; for they have been created by God and are His children.

Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher)(#215) Pope John XXIII, 1961

for June 3, 2007

No one, certainly, is obliged to assist others out of what is required for his own necessary use or for that of his family, . . . But when the demands of necessity and propriety have been met, it is a duty to give to the poor out of that which remains.

(#35-36) Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Workers), Pope Leo XIII, 1891

for May 27, 2007

Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith.... Because this commitment to social justice is at the heart of who we are and what we believe, it must be shared more effectively.

Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 1998

for May 20, 2007

If the question be asked: How ought man to use his possessions? The Church replies without hesitation: “As to this point, man ought not regard external goods as his own, but as common so that, in fact, a person should readily share them when he sees others in need.”

Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Workers) Pope Leo XIII, 1891

for May 13, 2007

Individual human beings are the foundation, the cause and the end of every social institution. That is necessarily so, for men are by nature social beings. This fact must be recognised, as also the fact that they are raised in the plan of Providence to an order of reality which is above nature.
(#219) Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) Pope John XXIII, 1961.

for May 6, 2007

This statement of St Augustine seems to be very apt in this regard: “What are kingdoms without justice but large bands of robbers.”
(#92) Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, 1963