Catholic Faith and Reflections

Catholic social doctrine teaches that there is an intrinsic  relationship between morality and economic activity. While there is a clear distinction between the two spheres, such a distinction does not imply that there is a separation between them; rather, there is a reciprocity.

The moral dimension of the economy calls for the recognition that economic well-being and human development are one indivisible goal. Morality is neither opposed to economic life nor neutral within it; instead, it is a factor intrinsic to economic activity. Production of goods in an efficient manner is a duty, but it is not acceptable to achieve economic growth at the expense of human beings, populations or social groups by condemning them to poverty.

The economy’s moral character is seen at its best when such its activity is directed to the common good of all peoples and has as its purpose and object humanity’s overall development within the communities in which people live and work. Thus, economic growth is a good if directed to and  in solidarity with human growth and development.

The implication of this is that human happiness is not realized simply in the accumulation of goods and services, but only when these goods and services increase to serve the human needs of the local communities. In this way, the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity, and the universal destination of goods are honored.

For a more thorough discussion of this refer to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, nos. 330-335.

The Church has constantly upheld the dignity of children. This dignity extends to all children and grows more urgent the smaller the child is and especially when a child is sick, suffering or handicapped.

The Church insists that the rights of children be legally protected in civil society. The Church teaches that the first right of children is to be born in a real family. This right has not been always been respected and is in a renewed way being violated in contemporary society because of developments in genetic technology.

Some of the violations to the dignity and rights of children today include: lack of health care; inadequate nutrition; poor educational opportunities; inadequate shelter; human trafficking; child labor; child marriage; child pornography; paedophilia; child armed combatants; abortion; and child abuse.

It is in supporting the solidarity of the family, both within the nuclear family, and among families themselves, that children can be born into love. Families are not just an objective grouping for political purposes, but are, in truth, a subjective unit which exists for each other’s benefit and for the benefit of society. Thus, families have the right to form associations with other families and institutions to fulfill their duties and protect the rights of families and children.

For a more thorough discussion of this topic, refer to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Nos. 244-247