Catholic Social Teaching & the Mercy Critical Concerns

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching “is a rich [128-year] treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.” The foundation of this body of teaching is that all persons are imprinted with God’s image which confers upon them “an incomparable dignity” (Centesimus Annus, #11). As such, this dignity is to be respected and protected without condition. A culture that welcomes diverse perspectives requires an “awareness of each individual’s dignity and of the unity of all people in a common humanity, with the aim of sharing and building up together a common destiny” (Congregation for Catholic Education).

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles Catholic social teaching.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society -- in economics and politics, in law and policy -- directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.

Rights and Responsibilities

Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Solidarity

We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace.

Care for God's Creation

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of the Catholic faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

The Critical Concerns of
the Sisters of Mercy

Inspired by the Gospel and by the example of their founder Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy envision a just world for people who are poor, sick and uneducated. They commit to serving, advocating for and praying with those in need around the world. Today, that commitment is focused in five “critical concerns” that they address through attention to personal and institutional choices, advocacy with legislators and other government leaders, and corporate engagement. These concerns are rooted in the principles of Catholic social teaching.

Earth

Mercy is growing in awareness of how our choices impact Earth and persons who are poor. Sisters, associates, co-workers, students, volunteers and friends are changing personal habits and behaviors, adopting new policies and guidelines for institutions, and advocating with corporations and government leaders to reverence Earth and sustain life.

For further resources, click here.

Immigration

The Sisters of Mercy’s commitment to immigrants comes out of their deep belief in the dignity of each human person created by God, and out of more than 150 years of ministering to and with immigrants in schools, hospitals, parishes and social service centers. With their presence throughout Latin America, they have witnessed firsthand the deepening poverty and violence that force families to flee their homes in search of economic and physical security. They advocate for the safety and protection of all migrants, and for just and humane immigration reform in the United States that reunites families, provides a pathway to citizenship, protects young people and provides for fair enforcement of the law.

For further resources, click here.

Nonviolence

Mercy is committed to working toward a culture of nonviolence whether in response to acts of mass violence, to the daily violence our children face on city street, or to the violence of poverty and inequality. As we stand in solidarity and prayer with victims of violence, we call on our elected officials, parents and religious leaders to take courageous action that addresses violence in all forms and at all levels of society.

For further resources, click here.

Anti-Racism

Racism in all its forms contradicts Catholic Social Teaching, which calls for respect for the human dignity of every person. The Sisters of Mercy oppose racism and are actively working to develop an intercultural perspective within our Institute as well as within the communities we live and serve.

For Saint Joseph's resource page on this critical concern, click here.

Women

Since Catherine McAuley opened the first House of Mercy in 1827 for women seeking a place in society, the Sisters of Mercy have actively advocated for the rights and needs of women. Today this work compels Mercy to advocate for equal opportunities, to speak out against domestic violence and human trafficking, and to address the impact of poverty on women and girls.

For further resources, click here.

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Catholic Social Teaching & the Mercy Critical Concerns