Social Justice + Pro-Life Resources

THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

Church Teaching: “The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God…” // Catechism of the Catholic Church § 1700

Prayer: God of all life, Help us to appreciate the great gift that is human life formed in your image, a reflection of your holiness. Help us to recognize you in all whom you have created: children not yet born, families affected by poverty and war, people of different abilities, people from other lands, and all who are victims of hatred and racism. Help us to bear witness to the dignity of all whom you have created, regardless of stage of life, or wealth, or ability, or color, or creed, for every person is fully equal in your loving eyes. Share with us your holy knowledge that we are all your children, each bestowed with inherent dignity. May your justice reign forever! Amen. (source)

RESOURCES

01 Just Wages

Rerum Novarum

02 The Right to Work

Laborem Exercens

03 The Right to Safety

04 Gender Equality

Mulieris Dignitatem: Apostolic Letter by Pope John Paul II on the Dignity and Vocation of Women
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Gender Theory

05 Preferential Treatment of the Poor

06 Service to those with Disabilities

07 Dignity of the Imprisoned

Evangelium Vitae
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Criminal Justice

08 Human and Sexual Trafficking

09 Treatment of the Aged

RACIAL RECONCILIATION

Church Teaching: “The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it: ‘Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design’.” // Catechism of the Catholic Church § 1935

Prayer: God of Heaven and Earth, you created the one human family and endowed each person with great dignity. Aid us, we pray, in overcoming the sin of racism. Grant us your grace in eliminating this blight from our hearts, our communities, our social and civil institutions. Fill our hearts with love for you and our neighbor so that we may work with you in healing our land from racial injustice. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (source)

Resources:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Equality and Dignity of the Human Person

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Pastoral Letter on Racism

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Committee on Cultural Diversity on Racism

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Responding to the Sin of Racism

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace’s document, The Church and Racism: an Introductory Update

Gaudium et Spes

PROTECTING LIFE IN THE WOMB

Church Teaching: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.” // Catechism of the Catholic Church § 2270

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the source and lover of life. Reawaken in us respect for every human life. Help us to see in each child the marvellous work of our Creator. Open our hearts to welcome every child as a unique and wonderful gift. Guide the work of doctors, nurses and midwives. May the life of a mother and her baby in the womb be equally cherished and respected. Help those who make our laws to uphold the uniqueness and sacredness of every human life, from the first moment of conception to natural death. Give us wisdom and generosity to build a society that cares for all. Together with Mary, your Mother, in whose womb you took on our human nature, Help us to choose life in every decision we take. We ask this in the joyful hope of eternal life with you, and in the communion of the Blessed Trinity. Amen. (source)

RESOURCES

01 Abortion

02 Embryo/Fetal Stem-Cell Research

03 Human Cloning

04 Contraception

05 IVF/Reproductive Technology

END OF LIFE

Church Teaching: “Respect for the human person considers the other ‘another self.’ It presupposes respect for the fundamental rights that flow from the dignity intrinsic of the person.” // Catechism of the Catholic Church § 1944

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, as you stood by the bed of good Saint Joseph and gently led him home to heaven, so shepherd every soul about to die to a paradise of perfect peace. Let the tears we shed upon their passing stand witness to our love for them and the depth of our thanksgiving for the gift of their lives and the grace of a good death. For you are Lord, forever and ever. Amen. (source)

Resources:

Death Penalty: Catechism of the Catholic Church on Death Penalty

Torture: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Assisted Suicide: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Euthanasia: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops