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Moral Theology: Church Documents

Moral thought begins in the conscience informed by natural law. The Ten Commandments and Jesus' life are the foundations for Catholic moral action, which has resulted in the Church's strong social teachings.

Laudato si'

Papal Documents

Rerum Novarum -- Leo XIII (1891)

Quadragesimo Anno (After Forty Years) -- Pius XI (1931)

Mater et Magistra (Christianity and Social Progress) -- John XXIII (1961)

Pacem in Terris -- John XXIII (1963)

Populorum Progressio -- Paul VI (1967)

Octogesima Adveniens (A Call to Action) -- Paul VI (1971)

Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) -- John Paul II (1981)

Sollicitudo rei Socialis -- John Paul II (1987)

Centesimus Annus -- John Paul II (1991)

Evangelium Vitae -- John Paul II (1995)

Deus Caritas Est -- Benedict XVI (2005)

Papal Encyclicals Online

Primary Sources