Key Concepts in Catholic Social Teaching
Equality
In theology, the dignity of each human in comparison to all other humans.
Personalistic Norm: Principle that maintains that a person is to be treated as a unique individual and never a means to another’s end. Subsidium: “give”
Abortifacient Drug
A chemical agent or drug that induces abortion, used to kill a child within.
Suction Aspiration
Abortion technique in which a surgical saw is inserted into the womb.
Salt Poisoning
Abortion technique in which the amniotic fluid is replaced with salt water or another poison, thus deteriorating the child.
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The creation of human embryos for the sole purpose of harvesting their stem cells before aborting them.
Human Cloning
To replicate the DNA of a human so as to make an identical genetic copy.
Human Rights
Within commutative and distributive justice, the specific things due to a creature created in the Imago Dei.
Civil Society
The sum of relationships and resources that are independent from the political sphere.
Civil Authority
Leaders of public groups that are elected and make laws.
Anarchy
A state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of government.
Civil Allegiance
Duty of respect and obedience owed by every person to the state of which he or she is a member.
Rights of the Family
Right to choose vocation, right to determine procreation/respect life, right to progress, right to worship, right to a decent standard of living.
Co-natural
When conscience and natural law are properly informed by the objective dignity of the human person.
Civil Participation
The voluntary and generous engagement of a person in society.
Preferential Option
Love that allows one to give priority to the needs of the poor and commit to transforming unjust social structures.
Hunger
Lacking access to the basic nutrition needed to live and work freely.
Works of Mercy
Charitable actions outlined by Jesus in Matthew 25 that provide for physical and spiritual needs.
Almsgiving
Freely giving money or goods to the poor as an act of penance or charity. Along with prayer and fasting, it is a traditional Lenten practice.
Right to Property
In theology, the right to exercise stewardship over a particular part of creation.
Physician-Assisted Suicide
The process of ending one’s life with the help of a doctor.
Divine Providence
“God will provide” – the disposition by which God guides his creation.
Euthanasia
Any act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering.
Capital Punishment
“Death penalty” – execution of criminals in the name of legal justice and self-defense.
Jubilee Year
Law of Israel that every 50 years would be a time of liberation from servitude and debt.
Precepts of the Church
Positive laws made by the Church that guarantee the minimal prayer and moral effort for spiritual growth.
Four Types of Poverty
- Material Poverty
- Poverty of Soul
- Poverty of Spirit
- Poverty of Addiction
Four Causes of Hunger
- Corruption
- Foreign Loans
- Land Degradation
- Politics
Three Levels of Subsidiarity
- State
- Parish/County
- Community
Three Abortion Methods
- Abortifacient Drugs
- Suction Aspiration
- Salt Poisoning
Eight Fundamental Human Rights
- Right to Life
- Moral and Cultural Rights
- Right to Worship
- Right to Choose One’s State of Life
- Economic Rights
- Right to Meet and Associate
- Right to Immigrate
- Political Rights