Diocesan Resources
Catholic Social Teaching Scripture Guide
So what is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching Catholic social teaching (CST) is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition. Pope John Paul II wrote, “The Church’s social teaching finds its source in Sacred Scripture, beginning with the Book of Genesis and especially in the Gospel and the writings of the Apostles. From the beginning, it was part of the Church’s teaching…[It was] developed by the teaching of the Popes on the modern “social question,” beginning with the Encyclical Rerum Novarum.”
This guide is an adaptation of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s Scripture Guide. It was created to deepen the understanding of the scriptural foundations of Catholic social teaching. The scripture passages are organized around the seven themes of Catholic social teaching. Some passages are short, just a few verses. Others are longer—stories or parables—that embody the social teachings. These are only a few suggestions, although it is likely the reader will recall many more examples of these themes in scripture. Some settings where this resource may be particularly useful include, but are not limited to, small faith-sharing groups, the Rite of Christian Initiation for adults, Journey to Justice retreats, service or immersion reflections, campus ministry activities, and courses that address issues of poverty and injustice.