The selections are arranged thematically according to the significant subject areas of Catholic social doctrine. Under each subject heading, the quotations appear in pedagogical—as opposed to chronological or magisterial—order, with each subject area opening with a quotation that explains the issue at hand.

+ (The Late) François-Xavier Nguyên Cardinal Van Thuân
President, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
(1928-2002)

Preface

Article One: The Nature of Catholic Social Teaching
1. The Church as Mother and Teacher
2. The Church's Mission
3. The Church's Social Message
4. The Scope of the Church's Social Teaching
5. Evangelization and Church Social Teaching

Article Two: The Human Person
1. The Dignity of the Human Person
2. Freedom and Truth
3. The Social Nature of Man
4. Human Rights
5. Religious Freedom

Article Three: The Family
1. The Institution of the Family
2. Marriage
3. Children and Parents
4. The Family, Education, and Culture
5. The Sanctity of Human Life
6. The Evil of Abortion and Euthanasia
7. Capital Punishment
8. The Dignity of Women

Article Four: The Social Order
1. The Centrality of the Human Person
2. Society Founded on Truth
3. Solidarity
4. Subsidiarity
5. Participation
6. Alienation and Marginalization
7. Social Freedom
8. Culture
9. Genuine Human Development
10. The Common Good
11. Social Sin

Article Five: The Role of the State
1. Temporal Authority
2. The Rule of Law
3. The Role of Government
4. Church and State
5. Forms of Government
6. Democracy
7. The Welfare State

Article Six: The Economy
1. The Universal Destination of Material Goods
2. Private Property
3. Economic Systems
4. Morality, Justice, and the Economic Order
5. A Genuine Theology of Liberation
6. State Intervention and the Economy
7. Business
8. Economism and Consumerism

Article Seven: Work and Wages
1. The Nature of Work
2. Just Wages and Compensation
3. The Work Place
4. Unemployment
5. Unions
6. Strikes

Article Eight: Poverty and Charity
1. The Scandal of Poverty
2. Social Justice
3. Charity and the Preferential Option for the Poor
4. The Welfare State

Article Nine: The Environment
1. The Goodness of the Created Order
2. Environmental Problems
3. Environmental Stewardship
4. Technology

Article Ten: The International Community
1. The Human Family
2. Free Trade
3. Peace and War
4. Arms
5. The Universal Common Good
6. Transnational and International Organizations
7. Immigration
8. Foreign Debt
9. Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions
10. The Global Economy

Article Eleven: Conclusion

Bibliography

Index

Abbreviations