The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a systematic presentation of the faith and doctrine of the Catholic Church. The quotes provided here include a small sampling of the sections of the Catechism that address Catholic teaching on poverty, justice, and related concerns. For access to the full text of the Catechism go to /catechism/text/index.htm.

• Human Dignity, Solidarity, Economic and Social Justice
  
  
• Love for the Poor

Part II: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery
Section Two: The Seven Sacraments of the Church
Chapter One. The Sacraments of the Christian Initiation

Article 3. The Sacrament of the Eucharist
VI. The Paschal Banquet
The fruits of Holy Communion

The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren:

You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognize your brother… You dishonor this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal…. God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful. (St. John Chrysostom, Hom. In 1 Cor. 27, 4: PG 61, 229-230; cf. Mt 25:40). [1397]

Part III: Life in Christ
Section One: Man's Vocation Life in the Spirit
Chapter One: The Dignity of the Human Person

Article 7. The Virtues
I. The Human Virtues
The cardinal virtues

Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion." Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor" (Lev 19:15). Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." (Col 4:1). [1807]

Chapter 2. The Human Community

Article 2. Participation in Social Life
II. The Common Good

"…the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself. Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of public interests; but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on." (Cf. GS 26 § 2). [1908]

Article 2. Participation in Social Life
II. The Common Good

Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world. The unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to "provide for the different needs of men; this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education,…and certain situations arising here and there, as for example… alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout their world, assisting migrants and their families. (GS 84 § 2). [1911]

Article 3. Social Justice
I. Respect for the Human Person

Social justice can be obtained only in respecting the transcendent dignity of man. The person represents the ultimate end of society, which is ordered to him:

What is at stake is the dignity of the human person, whose defense and promotion have been entrusted to us by the Creator, and to whom the men and women at every moment of history are strictly and responsibly in debt. (John Paul II, SRS 47). [1929]

Article 3. Social Justice
I. Respect for the Human Person

Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it. They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority: by flouting them, or refusing to recognize them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy. (Cf. John XXIII, PT 65) If it does not respect them, authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subjects. It is the Church's role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from unwarranted or false claims. [1930]

Article 3. Social Justice
I. Respect for the Human Person

The duty of making oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be. "As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." (Mt 25:40). [1932]

Article 3. Social Justice
II. Equality and Differences Among Men

The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it:

Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design. (GS 29 § 2). [1935]

Article 3. Social Justice
II. Equality and Differences Among Men

There exist also sinful inequalities that affect millions of men and women. These are in open contradiction of the Gospel:

Their equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice, equity, human dignity, as well as social and international peace. (GS 29 § 3). [1938]


Article 3. Social Justice
III. Human Solidarity

The principle of solidarity, also articulated in terms of "friendship" or "social charity," is a direct demand of human and Christian brotherhood. (Cf. John Paul II, SRS 38-40; CA 10)

An error, "today abundantly widespread, is disregard for the law of human solidarity and charity, dictated and imposed both by our common origin and by the equality in rational nature of all men, whatever nation they belong to. This law is sealed by sacrifice of redemption offered by Jesus Christ on the altar of the Cross to his heavenly Father, on behalf of sinful humanity." (Pius XII, Summi pontificatus, October 20, 1939; AAS 31 (1939) 423 ff). [1939]


Article 3. Social Justice
III. Human Solidarity

Solidarity is manifested in the first place by distribution of goods and remuneration of work. It also presupposes the effort for a more just social order where tensions are better able to be reduced and conflicts more readily settled by negotiation. [1940]

Article 3. Social Justice
III. Human Solidarity

Socio-economic problems can be resolved only with the help of all the forms of solidarity: solidarity of the poor among themselves, between rich and poor, of workers among themselves, between employers and employees in a business, solidarity among nations and peoples. International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world peace depends in part upon this. [1941]

Section II: The Ten Commandments
Chapter Two: "You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"

Article 4. The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
II. The Family and Society

The family must be helped and defended by appropriate social measures. Where families cannot fulfill their responsibilities, other social bodies have the duty of helping them and of supporting the institution of the family. Following the principal of subsidiarity, larger communities should take care not to usurp the family's prerogatives to interfere in its life. [2209]

Article 4. The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
V. The authorities in Civil Society
The duties of citizens

The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome their foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him. [2241]

Article 5. The Fifth Commandment, You shall not kill.
I. Respect for Human Life, Intentional Homicide

The fifth commandment forbids doing anything with the intention of indirectly bringing about a person's death. The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason, as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger.

The acceptance by human society of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense. Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them. (cf. Am 8:4-10). [2269]

Article 5. The Fifth Commandment, You shall not kill.
I. Respect for Human Life, Abortion

Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. (CF. CDF, Donum vitae I, 1.). [2270]

Article 5. The Fifth Commandment, You shall not kill.
II. Respect for the Dignity of Persons
Respect for health

Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

Concerns for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and social assistance. [2288]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
I. The Universal Destination and the Private Ownership of Goods

In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits. The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race. However, the earth is divided up among men to assure the security of their lives, endangered by poverty and threatened by violence. The appropriation of property is legitimate for guaranteeing the freedom and dignity of persons and for helping each of them to meet his basic needs and the needs of those in charge. It should allow for a natural solidarity to develop between men. [2402]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
I. The Universal Destination and the Private Ownership of Goods

In his use of things man should regard the external goods he legitimately owns not merely as exclusive to himself but common to others also, in the sense that they can benefit others as well as himself (GS 69 § 1). The ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others, first of all his family. [2404]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
IV. Economic Activity and Social Justice

The development of economic activity and growth in production are meant to provide for the needs of human beings. Economic life is not meant solely to multiply goods produced and increase profit or power; it is ordered first of all to the service of persons, of the whole man, and of the entire human community. Economic activity, conducted according to its own proper methods, is to be exercised within the limits of the moral order, in keeping with social justice so as to correspond to God's plan for man. (Cf. GS 64). [2426]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
IV. Economic Activity and Social Justice

In work, the person exercises and fulfills in part the potential inscribed in his nature. The primordial value of labor stems from man himself, its author and beneficiary. Work is for man, not man for work.

Everyone should be able to draw from work the means of providing for his life and that of his family, and of serving the human community. [2428]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
IV. Economic Activity and Social Justice

…Another task of the state is that of overseeing and directing the exercise of human rights in the economic sector. However, primary responsibility in this area belongs not to the state but to individuals and to the various groups and associations which make up society. [2431]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
IV. Economic Activity and Social Justice

Access to employment and to professions must be open to all without unjust discrimination: men and women, healthy and disabled, natives and immigrants. For its part society should, according to circumstances, help citizens find work and employment. [2433]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
IV. Economic Activity and Social Justice

A just wage is the legitimate fruit of work. To refuse or withhold it can be a grave injustice (Cf. Lev 19:13; Deut 24:14-15; Jas 5:4). In determining fair pay both the needs and the contributions of each person must be taken into account. "Remuneration for work should guarantee man the opportunity to provide a dignified livelihood for himself and his family on the material, social, cultural, and spiritual level, taking into account the role and the productivity of each, the state of the business, and the common good" (GS 67 § 2). Agreement between the parties is not sufficient to justify morally the amount to be received in wages. [2434]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
V. Justice and Solidarity Among Nations

On the international level, inequality of resources and economic capability is such that it creates a real ‘gap' between nations. (Cf. SRS 14) On the one side there are those nations possessing and developing the means of growth and, on the other, those accumulating debts. [2437]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
V. Justice and Solidarity Among Nations

Rich nations have a grave moral responsibility toward those which are unable to ensure the means of their development by themselves or have been prevented from doing so by tragic historical events. It is a duty in solidarity and charity; it is also an obligation in justice if the prosperity of the rich nations has come from resources that have not been paid for fairly. [2439]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
V. Justice and Solidarity Among Nations

Direct aid is an appropriate response to immediate, extraordinary needs caused by natural catastrophes, epidemics, and the like. But it does not suffice to repair the grave damage resulting from destitution or to provide a lasting solution to a country's needs. It is also necessary to reform international economic and financial institutions so that they will better promote equitable relationships with less advanced countries. The efforts of liberation must be supported. This doctrine must be applied especially in the area of agricultural labor. Peasants, especially in the Third World, form the overwhelming majority of the poor. [2440]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
V. Justice and Solidarity Among Nations

It is not the role of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life. This task is part of the vocation of the lay faithful, acting on their own initiative with their fellow citizens. Social action can assume various concrete forms. It should always have the common good in view and be in conformity with the message of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church. It is the role of the laity "to animate temporal realities with Christian commitment, by which they show that they are witnesses and agents of peace and justice." (SRS 47 § 6; cf. 42). [2442]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them: "Give to him who begs from you, do not refuse him who would borrow from you"; "you received without pay, give without pay." (Mt 5:42; 10:8) It is by what they have done for the poor that Jesus Christ will recognize his chosen ones.(Cf. Mt 25:31-36) When "the poor have the good news preached to them," it is the sign of Christ's presence. (Mt 11:5; cf Lk 4:18.) [2443]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

"The Church's love for the poor…is part of her constant tradition." This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. (CA 57; cf. Lk 6:20-22, Mt 8:20; Mk 12:41-44.) Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to "be able to give to those in need." (Eph 4:28.) It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty. [2444]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

St. John Chrysostom vigorously recalls this: "Not to enable the poor to share in our good is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." (St. John Chrysostom, Hom. In Lazaro 2, 5: PG 48, 992.) "The demands f justice must be satisfied first of all; that which is already due in justice is not to be offered as a gift of charity" (AA 8 § 5):

When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice. (St. Gregory the Great, Regula Pastoralis, 3, 21: PL 77, 87.) [2446]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. (Cf. Isa 58:6-7; Heb 13:3) Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. (Cf. Mt 25:31-46.) Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God: (Cf. Tob 4:5-11; Sir 17:22; Mt 6:2-4.)

He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food must do likewise. (Lk 3:11) But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. (Lk 11:41) If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? (Jas 2:15-16; cf. 1 Jn 3:17). [2447]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

Beginning with the Old Testament, all kinds of juridical measures (the jubilee year of forgiveness of debts, prohibition of loans at interest and the keeping of collateral, the obligation to tithe, the daily payment of the day-laborer, the right to glean vines and fields) answer the exhortation of Deuteronomy: "For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, "You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in the land." (Deut 15:11) Jesus makes these words his own: "The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." (Jn 12:8) In so doing he does not soften the vehemence of former oracles against "buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals…," but invites us to recognize his own presence in the poor who are his brethren: (Am 8:6; cf. Mt 25:40)

When her mother reproached her for caring for the poor and the sick at home, St. Rose of Lima said to her: "When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus. (P. Hansen, Vita mirabilis (Louvain, 1668). [2449]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

Man is himself the author, center, and goal of all economic and social life. The decisive point of the social question is that goods created by God for everyone should in fact reach everyone in accordance with justice and with the help of charity. [2459]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God. [2462]

Article 7. The Seventh Commandment, You shall not steal.
VI. Love for the Poor

How can we not recognize Lazarus, the hungry beggar in the parable (cf. Lk 17:19-31), in the multitude of human beings without bread, a roof or a place to stay? How can we fail to hear Jesus: "As you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me?" (Mt 25:45). [2463]

Article 8. The Eighth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
II. To Bear Witness to the Truth

The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds. Witness is an act of justice that establishes the truth and makes it known (Cf. Mt 18:16). [2472]

Article 10. The Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet…anything that is your neighbor's…You shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's.
III. Poverty of Heart

The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods (Lk 6:24). "Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven" (St. Augustine, De serm. Dom. in monte 1,1,3: PL 34, 1232). Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow (Cf. Mt 6:25-34). Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God. [2547]

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