Social Teaching Documents

Documents that Express the Social Teachings of the Church

Joy of the Gospel, (Evangelli Gaudium), Pope Francis - Communal commitment, mission and the Gospel


Charity in Truth, (Caritas in Veritate), Pope Benedict XVI - Authentic human development and social justice

The Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace, US Conference of Catholic Bishops - Just War theory

The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae). Pope John Paul – human dignity and consistent ethic of life

One Hundred Years (Centisimus Annus), Pope John Paul – human dignity and human rights

The Social Concerns of the Church (Solicitudo Rei Socialis), Pope John Paul – solidarity and option for the poor

On Human Work (Laborem Exercens), Pope John Paul – human dignity and right to work

Evangelization in the Modern World (Evangelii Nuntiandi), Pope Paul VI - need for Christian participation in politics

The Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes), Vatican II - role of the Christian in society

Peace on Earth (Pacem in Terris), Pope John XXIII - human rights and the cold war

The Reconstruction of the Social Order (Quadragesimo Anno), Pope Pius XI - condition of labor