The Catholic Community of St. Thomas More: Social Justice

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Home > Social Justice
Social Justice Resources The primary source of the Church's teachings on Social Justice is God's revelation through Jesus Christ. This is expressed through both Scripture, and the Tradition of the Church as the fundamental ideas and principles of Social Justice are applied to particular circumstances, issues and situations. The most important resource for Catholics is the Social Encyclicals of the modern Popes, from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Benedict XVI, which you can find at the Vatican web site. The briefest comprehensive statement of Catholic Social Teaching is the Seven Key Themes from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Pope Benedict has recently published a new Encyclical Letter on Social Justice, entitled: Caritas in Veritiatae (Love in Truth) See various comments on this document from: US Catholic Bishops Bishop Burbidge Catholic Relief Services National Catholic Reporter See also the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops produce many social justice documents, focused on domestic issues in the USA and America's relations with other nations. See in particular: Arms Control Catholic Campaign for Human Development Catholic Social Teaching Climate Change Criminal Justice Death Penalty Environmental Justice Examination of Conscience in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching Faith-Based Initiatives Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Government Liaison - Legislative Issues Housing Human Trafficking International Debt/Foreign Aid International Issues Labor Issues - A Primer on Catholic Social Teaching regarding Labor Middle East Migrants and Refugees Poverty Social Development and World Peace Social Security Welfare See also the Bishops Conference collection on Life Issues: Abortion Contraception Cloning Capital Punishment Euthanasia Health and Health Insurance People of Faith Against the Death Penalty Pro-Life Natural Family Planning JustFaith Taking Action Resource Guide
Social Justice Resources Fair Trade The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports Fair Trade programs through which disadvantaged artisans, farmers and farmworkers receive fair compensation for the goods they produce. Through Catholic Relief Services St. Thomas More bought Eco-Palms for use in Holy Week. As a special treat one can always buy Fair Trade Chocolate! Throughout the year we can buy Fair Trade coffee and handicrafts. Pro-Life 40 Days for Life Pro-Life Events NC Restorative Justice Education A Catholic Call to Justice - Activity Book for 14 - 22 year olds Get Involved Stories of Hope A web site from Catholic Relief Services, recounting stories of success, hope and solidarity from around the world. Further Reading A very good source for Church documents on Justice, going back to the 13th century, is maintained by JustPeace. A wonderful resource for social justice is the Office for Social Justice at the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. See also the Office for Peace and Justice of the Diocese of Raleigh, which publishes a monthly newsletter, Focus on Justice and Peace and a bimonthly Justice Jottings. The Patron of our parish, Saint Thomas More, is Patron Saint of Statesmen and Politicians. Our friends at St. Francis Church in Raleigh are the home of the Franciscan Coalition for Justice and Peace. There are many social justice resources in our parish library. Our friends at the Newman Center Parish in Chapel Hill have a Faith in Action page of local Social Justice Events.