On Catholic Action

COMPENDIUM

The aim of the Church's social teaching is to ensure that all men, both those who are governed and those who govern, recognize their Christian principles in their individual, civic, and political activities. The Church does not claim that her social teaching will turn the world into an earthly paradise; but she does claim that her teaching, if accepted by men, will solve all social problems to a certain degree. We must beware of all who promise for their schemes an era of unalloyed happiness. The Church does not claim that her social teaching will achieve the impossible. Perfect happiness is to be obtained only in the next life. This world, this present life, is necessarily a testing and a proving of man's worthiness.

The reforms of the Church are aimed at removing the serious evils which underlie these problems, and at improving the conditions of life and labor. If accepted by men, they will restore justice and charity to working conditions and relations; they will make the lives of the vast majority of men more in keeping with their dignity as men and more pleasing to God.

In the midst of social problems, the first duty of a Catholic is to inform himself of the Church's authoritative teaching on social questions. Catholics may not remain indifferent when Christian morality and social justice are in danger or are actually violated. Ignorance cannot be excused in the case of Catholics who hold positions of importance on administrative bodies. Still more weighty is the duty of the Clergy. Pope Pius XI writes: "A difficult task, certainly, is thus imposed on Priests, and to meet it, all who are growing up as the hope of the Church must be duly prepared by an intensive study of the social question." (Quadragesimo Anno, §142)

The second duty of a Catholic in the midst of social problems is to accept the teaching of Christ and His Church as his guide. "He that is not with Me is against Me." (Luke 11:23)

However, it is not sufficient for the Catholic to know and accept the teaching of the Church on social questions. He must put it into practice, and he must begin by applying it to his own life. "Faith without works is dead." (Jas. 2:20) The individual must be a Catholic in thought, word, and action. To call oneself a Catholic, and even to accept the Church's teaching, without putting it into practice merits the condemnation which Jesus Christ passed upon the Pharisees, who "say, but do not." (Matt. 23:3; Luke 11:52) The Catholic must apply the Church's teaching to his own life, his home, his profession, or business, or work. One cannot hope to change the face of the earth without first changing one's own heart.

Beyond regulating his own life, the Catholic has a further duty of laboring to restore society in all its activities and institutions to the Christian ideal. Godless government and Godless politics lead inevitably to selfish individualism and State tyranny. Parliaments, local governments, boards of administration and control, etc., must be made to recognize the Law of God as supreme. Only by recognizing God and accepting His Laws as supreme will States as well as individuals prosper. "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His Justice, and all these things will be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33)

It is the duty of Catholics not to sit idle or remain indifferent; but, by word and example, and by united effort, they must endeavor to correct the evils of our social system and restore it to Christian order, peace, and prosperity. First, Catholics must enlighten public opinion. They must point out what is wrong and how it is to be remedied. They are better equipped than others for the task, since they have the true principles of Christ and His Church to guide them. Second, Catholics must apply their beliefs to their conduct, recognizing that they are the "light of the world," "the salt of the earth," and the "leaven" which is to ferment the whole. Finally, there must be union of wills and effort among Catholics, particularly in the exercise of those rights which belong to them as citizens.

The surest hope for Christian reconstruction of the social order and for the preservation of Christian civilization is the return of all to the one true Church, established by Jesus Christ to teach men and guide them infallibly through earthly life to the eternal happiness for which they were all created. The Catholic Church alone speaks with God's authority. She alone is uncompromising in her teaching; she will not change eternal truth or law at the request of mortal men. She alone is unerring in her guidance, since Jesus Christ has promised to be with her "all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matt. 28:20) Within her teaching and under her guidance, there is light, order, true freedom, and true happiness; outside is error, disorder, slavery, and the darkness of despair.

CATECHISM

240. What is the aim of the Church's social teaching?

The aim of the Church's social teaching is to ensure that all men, both those who are governed and those who govern, recognize their Christian principles in their individual, civic, and political activities.

241. Will the remedies and reforms put forward by the Church solve all social problems?

The Church does not claim that her social teaching will turn the world into an earthly paradise; but she does claim that her teaching, if accepted by men, will solve all social problems to a certain degree.

242. What is the first duty of a Catholic in the midst of social problems?

The first duty of a Catholic is to inform himself of the Church's authoritative teaching on social questions.

243. What is the second duty of the Catholic in the midst of social problems?

The second duty of a Catholic is to accept the teaching of Christ and His Church as his guide.

244. Is it sufficient for the Catholic to know and accept the teaching of the Church on social questions?

No. It is not sufficient for the Catholic to know and accept the teaching of the Church on social questions. He must put it into practice, and he must begin by applying it to his own life.

245. Has a Catholic any duty beyond regulating his own individual life?

Yes. The Catholic has a further duty of laboring to restore society in all its activities and institutions to the Christian ideal.

246. What are Catholics to do in a country whose people no longer recognize the Law of God as supreme, and who have, to a large extent, abandoned Christian ideals?

It is the duty of Catholics to endeavor to correct the evils of our social system and restore it to Christian order, peace, and prosperity, by word and example, and by united effort.

247. What is the surest hope for Christian reconstruction of the social order, and for the preservation of Christian civilization?

The surest hope for Christian reconstruction of the social order and for the preservation of Christian civilization is the return of all to the one true Church, established by Jesus Christ to teach men and guide them infallibly through earthly life to the eternal happiness for which they were all created.