The CCSC structure and programming are grounded in the seven values of Catholic Social Teaching, which are described below. Though called the “Catholic” Social Teachings, the CCSC respects that we are all called to bring justice and peace to the world, regardless of our faith tradition:
Life and Dignity of the Human Person: Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principals of our social teaching. The human person is the clearest reflection of God among us. Each person possesses a basic dignity that comes from God, not from any human accomplishment or quality. This dignity cannot be diminished because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success, or race. The emphasis is on people over things, being over having.
Call to Family, Community, and Participation: While our society often exalts individualism, the Catholic tradition teaches that human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community. We realize our rights and our dignity through our relationship with others. We have a responsibility to participate in and contribute to the broader communities in society; we are one body: when one suffers, we all suffer.
Rights and Responsibilities of the Human Person: Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. While public debate in our nation is often divided between those who focus on personal responsibility and those who focus on social responsibilities, our tradition insists that both are necessary. All people have the right to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. Corresponding to those rights are duties and responsibilities to respect the rights of others and work for the common good.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of any community. We are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: We believe that the economy must serve the people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is our expression of our dignity. 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 organize and join unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
Solidarity: We are one human family. Catholic Social Teaching proclaims that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. We are called to work globally for justice and examine the barriers we create and allow to stand in hindrance of justice.
Care for God’s Creation: Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We must provide sustainable development that protects the poor and laborers. We must promote policies that provide for the just distribution of natural resources.