Human Life & Dignity

Bringing Catholic Social Justice to Life




Welcome to the Office of Human Life and Dignity

“The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.”
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

The Office of Human Life & Dignity collaborates with parishes, ministries, the California Catholic Conference, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, and other social justice and interfaith organizations to address and support the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

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What the Church Teaches

The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasury of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents.

The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.

This summary should only be a starting point for those interested in Catholic social teaching. A full understanding can only be achieved by reading the papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents that make up this rich tradition. For a copy of the complete text of Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (No. 5-281) and other social teaching documents, call 800-235-8722.

LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong.

Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. 

CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARTICIPATION

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. 

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities–to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. 

OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. 

THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. 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 the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. 

SOLIDARITY

We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict. 

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

Copyright 2005, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Upcoming Events

Oct 12
Bay Area Rosary Rally In honor of “Our Lady Who Unites All Peoples”
The Mass of the Americas will be offered for All Immigrants by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone Saturday, October 12, 2024 Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA… Read More
Oct 25
Created by God: Irreplaceable. Talk by Sisters of Life
 Come join us! Talk by a Sister, Adoration with music, & Social Friday, October 25, 2024 6:30pm – 8:30pm  St. Hilary’s Parish 761 Hilary Drive Tiburon, CA 94920
Oct 26
Join the Sisters of Life in conversation on God’s love, His mercies, and the beauty of you – the human person
We invite you to regain sight of yourself as a gift, the victory of love being won in your life, and the fact that Jesus can grow new life out… Read More
Nov 02
Miscarriage and Infant Loss Memorial Mass and Healing Liturgy
Please join us for a Mass and Healing Service for all those who have experienced the loss of an infant whether by miscarriage, still birth, or early infant death. The… Read More
Nov 20
Thanksgiving Meal’s donation for people in San Francisco jails
Feeding the Imprisoned during Thanksgiving What kind of food do prisoners eat? The most common food prisoners get includes bread, potatoes, beans, soup, milk and in rare instances, a piece… Read More
Nov 29
Women’s Retreat for Healing after Abortion
El retiro se ofrece en español y se llevará a cabo en un lugar confidencial. Por favor regístrese en el formulario que esta al final de esta página Please register… Read More
Jan 25
Walk for Life Mass
The official Walk for Life Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone– all are welcome.
Jan 25
Walk for Life West Coast Rally and Walk
Walk for Life Rally and Walk Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco 11-12:30 Info Faire 12:30 p.m. Walk for Life Rally 1:30 p.m. Walk for Life begins

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Our own Julio Escobar hosts Mi Familia en Cristo on KIQI 1010 AM every Sunday  from 6-7 pm.  The program features reflections on the Gospel, a message from our Archbishop, and other interesting programming.