Church in Society
Catholic social teaching and the Church in public life.
215 documents
- Catholic Social Teaching69
- Work & Labor16
- Economic Life26
- Poverty & the Poor47
- Charity & Works of Mercy10
- Integral Human Development25
- Peace & War48
- Political Life & the State49
- Totalitarian Ideologies9
- Human Rights18
- International Community20
- Migration & Refugees22
- Racism & Racial Justice11
- Indigenous Peoples9
- Care for Creation21
- Health & Health Care16
- Criminal Justice1
- Corruption2
- Human Fraternity & Social Friendship13
Related topics
A dagger (†) means the date or the official link is still awaiting verification.
1880s
1890s
1900s
1920s
1930s
1940s
- La solennità della Pentecoste1 June 1941Radio Message for Pentecost (50th anniversary of Rerum Novarum)Pope
1950s
- Grata Recordatio26 September 1959On the Rosary: Prayer for the Church, Missions, International and Social ProblemsPope
1960s
- Lumen Christi Ecclesia Christi11 September 1962Radio Message to All the Faithful One Month before the CouncilPope
- Nuntius ad universos homines†20 October 1962Message to Humanity from the Council FathersEcumenical Council
- Pacem in Terris11 April 1963On Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity and LibertyPope
- Nostra Aetate28 October 1965Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian ReligionsEcumenical Council
- Pacto de las Catacumbas16 November 1965Pact of the Catacombs (for a servant and poor Church)Ecclesial Initiatives
- Gaudium et Spes7 December 1965Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern WorldEcumenical Council
- Closing Message to the Poor, the Sick and the Suffering8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to the Poor, Sick and SufferingPope
- Statuto del Movimento dei Focolari26 January 1966Focolare statute approved by the Congregation of the CouncilEcclesial Initiatives
- Statement on Race Relations and Poverty†19 November 1966Race Relations and PovertyBishops' Conferences
- Catholicam Christi Ecclesiam6 January 1967Establishing the Council of the Laity and the Commission Justice and PeacePope
- Message des évêques du Tiers-Monde†August 1967Message to the Peoples of the Third World (18 bishops)Ecclesial Initiatives
- Carta de Río†May 1968Letter of Rio (Latin American Jesuit provincials on social justice)Ecclesial Initiatives
- Documento de San Miguel†April 1969San Miguel Declaration (application of Medellín to Argentina)Bishops' Conferences
- General Directory for the Pastoral Ministry to Tourism29 April 1969Pastoral Directory on TourismRoman Curia
1970s
- Apostolicae Caritatis19 March 1970Establishing the Pontifical Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant PeoplePope
- Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Facilities†November 1971Ethical and Religious Directives (1st ed.)Bishops' Conferences
- Convenientes ex universo (De Iustitia in Mundo)†30 November 1971II Ordinary General Assembly (1971), Justice in the WorldSynod of Bishops
- Ordo Unctionis Infirmorum eorumque Pastoralis Curae7 December 1972Pastoral Care of the Sick (editio typica)Roman Curia
- Men for Others: Education for Social Justice and Social Action Today†July 1973Men for Others (Valencia address)Ecclesial Initiatives
- Message on human rights and reconciliation23 October 1974III Ordinary General Assembly (1974), Evangelization in the Modern World: Message of the Synod Fathers with Paul VI on human rights and reconciliationSynod of Bishops
- Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities20 November 1975Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life ActivitiesBishops' Conferences
- Human Development and Christian Salvation1976Human Development and Christian SalvationTheological & Biblical Commissions
- Political Responsibility: Reflections on an Election Year12 February 1976Political ResponsibilityBishops' Conferences
- Iustitiam et Pacem10 December 1976Establishing the Pontifical Commission Justice and Peace on a Permanent BasisPope
- La Iglesia, Cuerpo de Cristo en la historia6 August 1977The Church, the Body of Christ in History (2nd pastoral letter)Diocesan Bishops
- La Iglesia y las organizaciones políticas populares6 August 1978The Church and Popular Political Organizations (3rd pastoral letter)Diocesan Bishops
- Misión de la Iglesia en medio de la crisis del país6 August 1979The Church's Mission amid the National Crisis (4th pastoral letter)Diocesan Bishops
- Brothers and Sisters to Us14 November 1979Brothers and Sisters to Us (on racism)Bishops' Conferences
1980s
- Our Secondary Schools Today and Tomorrow†September 1980Our Schools Today and TomorrowEcclesial Initiatives
- Propositions on the Dignity and Rights of the Human Person1983Propositions on the Dignity and Rights of the Human PersonTheological & Biblical Commissions
- The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response3 May 1983The Challenge of PeaceBishops' Conferences
- The Hispanic Presence: Challenge and Commitment†12 December 1983The Hispanic PresenceBishops' Conferences
- Libertatis nuntius6 August 1984Instruction on certain aspects of the Theology of LiberationRoman Curia
- What We Have Seen and Heard9 September 1984What We Have Seen and Heard (Black Catholic bishops on evangelization)Bishops' Conferences
- Giornata mondiale di preghiera per la pace27 October 1986World Day of Prayer for Peace, Assisi (closing address)Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Address to the Roman Curia22 December 1986Christmas address to the Curia interpreting the Assisi meetingPope
- At the Service of the Human Community†27 December 1986An Ethical Approach to the International Debt QuestionRoman Curia
- National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry†18 November 1987National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic MinistryBishops' Conferences
- Sollicitudo Rei Socialis30 December 1987On social concern (20th anniversary of Populorum Progressio)Pope
- The Church and Racism†3 November 1988The Church and Racism: Towards a More Fraternal SocietyRoman Curia
1990s
- Anti-Semitism (Prague joint statement)6 September 1990ILC Prague Statement on Anti-SemitismEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- In Support of Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools†14 November 1990In Support of Catholic SchoolsBishops' Conferences
- Ut testes simus Christi qui nos liberavit (Declaratio)†13 December 1991I Special Assembly for Europe (1991), So that we might be witnesses of Christ who has set us free: Final DeclarationSynod of Bishops
- Some Considerations concerning Legislative Proposals on Non-discrimination of Homosexual Persons23 July 1992Considerations on Non-discrimination LegislationRoman Curia
- Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the ParishNovember 1993Communities of Salt and LightBishops' Conferences
- Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (revised)†November 1994Ethical and Religious Directives (1994 rev.)Bishops' Conferences
- Towards a Better Distribution of Land23 November 1997Towards a Better Distribution of Land: The Challenge of Agrarian ReformRoman Curia
- We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah16 March 1998We Remember: A Reflection on the ShoahRoman Curia
- Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions19 June 1998Sharing Catholic Social TeachingBishops' Conferences
- Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American CatholicsNovember 1998Living the Gospel of LifeBishops' Conferences
2000s
- Jubilee Year catechesis on the glory of the Trinity19 January 2000 – 21 March 2001Jubilee Year cycle on the Trinity, salvation history, interreligious dialogue, creation and ecology (2000-2001)Pope
- E Sancti Thomae Mori31 October 2000Proclaiming St Thomas More patron of statesmen and politiciansPope
- Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity15 November 2000Welcoming the Stranger Among UsBishops' Conferences
- Impegno comune per la pace24 January 2002Assisi Joint Commitment to Peace (Day of Prayer for Peace)Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Decalogo di Assisi per la pace24 February 2002Decalogue of Assisi for Peace (sent to heads of state)Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics10 June 2002Venice Declaration on Environmental EthicsEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life24 November 2002Doctrinal Note on Catholics in Political LifeRoman Curia
- Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope22 January 2003Strangers No Longer (with Mexican bishops)Bishops' Conferences
- Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons3 June 2003Considerations on Legal Recognition of Same-sex UnionsRoman Curia
- Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church2 April 2004Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the ChurchRoman Curia
- Erga migrantes caritas Christi†3 May 2004Instruction on the Love of Christ towards MigrantsRoman Curia
- Tzedeq and Tzedaqah8 July 2004ILC Buenos Aires Statement on Justice and CharityEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Dignifying the Divine Image7 November 2006ILC Cape Town Statement on Health Care and HIV/AIDSEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship14 November 2007Forming Consciences for Faithful CitizenshipBishops' Conferences
- In Search of a Universal Ethic: A New Look at the Natural Law20 May 2009In Search of a Universal Ethic: A New Look at the Natural LawTheological & Biblical Commissions
- Message to the People of God (Nuntius)23 October 2009II Special Assembly for Africa (2009), The Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace: Message [→ Africae Munus]Synod of Bishops
2010s
- Westminster Hall Address17 September 2010Address to British society at Westminster Hall (faith and reason in public life)Pope
- Towards Reforming the International Financial and Monetary Systems24 October 2011Note on Reform of the International Financial SystemRoman Curia
- Pellegrini della verità, pellegrini della pace27 October 2011Assisi Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace (renewed commitment)Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- God the Trinity and the Unity of Humanity: Christian Monotheism and its Opposition to Violence17 January 2014God the Trinity and the Unity of Humanity: Christian Monotheism and its Opposition to ViolenceTheological & Biblical Commissions
- Common Declaration30 November 2014Common Declaration of Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew (Istanbul)Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- A Light Brightly Visible†July 2015A Light Brightly Visible (on religious freedom and politics)Diocesan Bishops
- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (2015 revision)17 November 2015Faithful Citizenship (2015)Bishops' Conferences
- Catechesis on Mercy9 December 2015 – 30 November 2016Mercy in Scripture and the works of mercy for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, 2015-2016Pope
- Cristãos leigos e leigas na Igreja e na sociedade (Doc. 105)†April 2016Lay Christians in Church and SocietyBishops' Conferences
- The 'Other' in Jewish and Catholic Tradition: Refugees in Today's World7 April 2016ILC Warsaw Statement on RefugeesEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Joint Declaration16 April 2016Lesbos Joint Declaration on refugeesEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Humanam progressionem17 August 2016Establishing the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human DevelopmentPope
- Joint Message on the World Day of Prayer for Creation1 September 2017Joint Message of Francis and Bartholomew on the Care of CreationEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones6 January 2018Considerations for an Ethical Discernment on the Economic-Financial SystemRoman Curia
- Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (6th ed.)June 2018Ethical and Religious Directives (6th ed.)Bishops' Conferences
- Final Document27 October 2018XV Ordinary General Assembly (2018), Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment: Final Document [→ Christus Vivit]Synod of Bishops
- Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to LoveNovember 2018Open Wide Our HeartsBishops' Conferences
- The Journey to Racial Justice: Repentance, Healing and Action21 January 2019The Journey to Racial JusticeDiocesan Bishops
- Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together4 February 2019Document on Human Fraternity (Abu Dhabi)Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus 2019-202919 February 2019Jesuit Universal Apostolic PreferencesEcclesial Initiatives
- Religious Freedom for the Good of All26 April 2019Religious Freedom for the Good of AllTheological & Biblical Commissions
- People, Ideas and Boundaries on the Move16 May 2019ILC Rome Statement on MigrationEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Amazonia: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology26 October 2019Special Assembly for the Pan-Amazon Region (2019): Final Document [→ Querida Amazonia]Synod of Bishops
2020s
- Journeying Towards Care for Our Common Home†18 May 2020Journeying Towards Care for Our Common Home: Five Years after Laudato si'Roman Curia
- Samaritanus bonus14 July 2020Letter on the Care of Persons in the Critical and Terminal Phases of LifeRoman Curia
- Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission: Challenges, Convictions and Hopes29 July 2020Declaration on the Lasallian Educational MissionEcclesial Initiatives
- Catechesis on Healing the World5 August 2020 – 30 September 2020Social doctrine and the theological virtues in light of the pandemic, 2020Pope
- Note on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines21 December 2020Note on Anti-Covid-19 VaccinesRoman Curia
- A Joint Message for the Protection of Creation1 September 2021Joint Message of Francis, Bartholomew and Welby on CreationEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Faith and Science: Towards COP26 - Joint Appeal4 October 2021Faith and Science Joint Appeal ahead of COP26Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Catechesis on St Joseph17 November 2021 – 16 February 2022Twelve catecheses on St Joseph in the year dedicated to him, 2021-2022Pope
- Mensaje final y desafíos pastorales de la Primera Asamblea Eclesial de América Latina y el Caribe†28 November 2021Ecclesial Assembly: Final Message and Pastoral ChallengesBishops' Conferences
- Hacia una Iglesia sinodal en salida a las periferias†November 2022Toward a Synodal Church Going Forth to the PeripheriesBishops' Conferences
- Joint Statement on the Doctrine of Discovery30 March 2023Joint Statement on the 'Doctrine of Discovery'Roman Curia
- National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry: Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy16 June 2023National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino MinistryBishops' Conferences
- That They Might Have Life10 November 2023That They Might Have Life (on marijuana and drug culture)Diocesan Bishops
- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (new introductory note)†15 November 2023Faithful Citizenship (2023)Bishops' Conferences
- Keeping Christ's Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry†June 2024Keeping Christ's Sacred PromiseBishops' Conferences
- Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 20245 September 2024Istiqlal Joint Declaration: Fostering Religious Harmony for the Sake of HumanityEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
- Discorso al Collegio cardinalizio10 May 2025Address to the College of Cardinals (programmatic; Leo XIII, Evangelii gaudium, Vatican II)Pope
- Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (7th ed.)12 November 2025Ethical and Religious Directives (7th ed.)Bishops' Conferences
- Special Pastoral Message on Immigration12 November 2025Special Message on ImmigrationBishops' Conferences
- The Divine Physician and a Christian Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing19 January 2026The Divine Physician (on mental health)Diocesan Bishops
- To hear the cry of the poor and the earth24 March 2026Synod Study Group 2 Final Report: To hear the cry of the poor and the earthSynod of Bishops
- Magnifica humanitas15 May 2026On safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligencePope
- A Journey of Hope16 September 2026Note: Sixty Years of Interreligious Dialogue and Fraternity in the Light of Nostra AetateRoman Curia