Social Justice Resources

Fratelli tutti (On the Fraternity and Social Friendship)

On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis released his latest encyclical focusing on caring for one another. He wrote: "I offer this social encyclical as a modest contribution to continued reflection, in the hope that in the face of present-day attempts to eliminate or ignore others, we may prove capable of responding with a new vision of fraternity and social friendship that will not remain at the level of words." Read the full document in English or Spanish.

 

There are seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching. 

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

This includes abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, cloning, embryonic stem cell research and more.

• Iowans for LIFE
• Iowa Catholic Conference
• Catholic News Service: Pope calls racism a pro-life issue
• Iowa Catholic Conference appeal for clemency for Dustin Lee Honken

Call to Family, Community and Participation

We are called to be just in our economics, law, public policy, marriage and family.

• For information on legislative advocacy and public policy, look up the Iowa Catholic Conference.

Rights and Responsibilities

To protect human dignity, we must protect human rights.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

We are encouraged to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

• Check out the work of Catholic Charities, which offers family-centered programs that empower individuals and strengthen families.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The economy should benefit the people, rather than the other way around.

Solidarity

We are one human family and must love one another regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, etc. 

• Bishop William Joensen's Pentecost reflection includes thoughts on societal stress involving the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others.
• USCCB President Archbishop Jose Gomez statement
• Vatican's reaction to the death of George Floyd. Video of pope's address (says racism is a prolife issue).
• Canadian Catholic Conference statement.
• 2018 USCCB Pastoral Letter on Racism  Study guide.
• Prayer to end racism. (English & Spanish)
• On the USCCB website you will find many resources.

• USCCB produced Everyone Belongs – A children’s book on the reality of racism and our Catholic response. Here are free downloadable activities. 
• Stations of the Cross for Overcoming Racism prayer resource
  
• St. Peter Claver Prayer Service and Mass Formularies that can be used now.

Care for God's Creation

Our faith calls on us to practice good stewardship with the creation given to us by God.

• St. John Paul II also talked about caring for the environment during his historic 1979 visit to Iowa. Here is his homily in which he called on people to be good stewards of the land.
• On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis issued the encyclical "Laudato Si" (Praised be to You) in which he called on everyone to do what they can to care for our common home, the earth.
• Looking for some background on what the U.S. bishops have said about the environment? Check out this page on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' website.