Research and Course Guides: Catholic Social Teaching: Church Documents

Vatican II

Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) 1965
The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, was one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council.

Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

The Corporal Works of Mercy

To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To shelter the homeless
To care for the sick
To visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

To admonish the sinner
To instruct the ignorant
To counsel the doubtful
To bear wrongs patiently
To forgive offences willingly
To comfort the afflicted
To pray for the living and the dead

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Searchable Catechism from the U.S.C.C.B. Site

Documents of the US Catholic Bishops

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (2002)

Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the US Economy (1986)

Renewing the Earth: A Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching (1991)

A Decade after Economic Justice for All: Continuing Principles, Changing Context, New Challenges (1995)

Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (1998)

Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good (2001)

A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommittment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children (2002)

Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, A Pastoral Letter Concerning Migration (2003)

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States (2007)

On Human Trafficking

World Synod of Bishops

Justice in the World (1971)

see: Tablet (August 21, 1971)

Origins (November 25, 1971)

IDOC International (December 11, 1971)

New Vatican Document - 2018 - Oeconomicae et Pecuniariae Quaestiones

Oeconomicae et Pecuniariae Quaestiones
Here is the Vatican-provided text of a new Document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, entitled “Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones. Considerations for an ethical discernment on certain aspects of the current economic-financial system” published May 17, 2018.

Papal Documents

Catholic Social Teachings are culled from scripture, the Catechism, encyclicals, and other church magisterial documents. While many Church documents touch on the "Social" mission of the Church, there is no definitive list of "Catholic Social Teaching" documents. The list of resources below represents some of the major resources that are often cited when authors and experts talk about "Catholic Social Justice" and Catholic Social Teaching. Links below are hosted on the Vatican website, where you may also find translations in various languages.

The Encyclicals below are often written in response to what is going on "at the time." The Church offers advice on how to best live up to Catholic Principles in the current day and analyzes any movements according to whether they endanger the dignity of the human person.

The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church is the most thoroughgoing compilation of primary Biblical and Magisterial resources arranged by themes and thoughts on Catholic Social Thought. Other collections of Catholic Social teaching in "Thematic form" can be found on the Social Agenda website (also in several languages). The Office of Social Justice in Minnesota offers the original documents with "concordances" and "notable quotations."

Rerum Novarum -- Leo XIII (1891)

Quadragesimo Anno - 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)