This page on Catholic Social Teaching is a work in progress. Over time various resources will be added or referred to on this page.
Perhaps the key to Catholic Social Teaching is Jesus’ instruction to “love your neighbour as yourself
” (Mark 12:31).
Various Papal Encyclicals and other documents reflect this teaching such as:
Evangelii Gaudium written by Pope Francis in 2013, states: “The earth is our common home and all of us are brothers and sisters”.
Laudato Si written by Pope Francis in 2015, states: “It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face.”
Laudate Deum – The Vatican released the new Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, to all people of good will, on the climate crisis, on 4 October 2023. It is a document intended to follow up on his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home.
Fratelli Tutti issued by Pope Francis in 2020, is on fraternity and social friendship, in a global context. It calls us to open our hearts to the whole world and establish dialogues to strengthen peace, justice, and fraternity.
CATHOLIC TEACHING ON MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES: Earlier this year the Bishops of England and Wales issued a document on Migrants and Refugees. A talk on this document, Love the Stranger, was given by Liam Allmark of the Jesuit Refugee Service at Gidea Park parish. Please visit www.whatgoodnews.org to see the edited recording.
Organisations
There are also a number of Catholic organisations which follow the social teachings such as:
CAFOD, Brentwood Diocesan Laudato Si group, Pax Christi, St Vincent de Paul.