Catholic Social Teaching

Resetting the TableOur Catholic Tradition contains a vast body of prayer, reflection and teaching on issues of social concern, all of which flows from our baptismal call to live lives of discipleship modeled after the example of Christ. You will find some of those key teachings and resources for further prayer and study here.

Our Faith in Action

Human Concerns Blog

The clearest articulation of the Church’s teaching on social concern can be found in the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, and the Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy, listed below.

Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching:

Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Solidarity
Care for God's Creation

Corporal Works of Mercy:

Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Visit and ransom the captives
Shelter the homeless
Visit the sick
Bury the dead

Follow this link to the US Catholic Conference of Bishops’ explanation of each of these Seven Themes.

Follow this link to the Wisconsin Catholic Conference’s list of the Seven Themes along with key legislative priorities which flow from each principle.