"The center of the Church's social teaching is the life, dignity, and rights of the human person. We are called in a special way to serve the poor and vulnerable; to build bridges of solidarity among peoples of differing races and nations, language and ability, gender and culture. Family life and work have special places in Catholic social teaching; the rights of the unborn, families, workers, immigrants, and the poor deserve special protection. Our tradition also calls us to show our respect for the Creator by our care for creation and our commitment to work for environmental justice. This vital tradition is an essential resource for parish life. It offers a framework and direction for our social ministry, calling us to concrete works of charity, justice, and peacemaking."

U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light

Catholic Social Teaching/Social Justice Websites

OFFICE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE - ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL & MINNEAPOLIS - Comprehensive treatment of Catholic Social Teaching including church documents, reading list, Q&As, teaching tools, explanation of social justice issues and legislative advocacy, links to other CST resources. Excellent website! http://www.osjspm.org/catholic_social_teaching.aspx

UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS - OFFICE OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT & WORLD PEACE - Extensive information on broad range of specific social justice issues and Catholic Social Teaching. http://www.usccb.org   [Click on Social Justice Issues on left side of page]

CATHOLIC CHARITIES - PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM - Series of courses designed to provide parish-based social ministers with the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of their communities. Includes the theology of social ministry, understanding the modern family, counseling and case management, organizing and administering pastoral programs, multicultural ministries, and community organizing. Open to all qualified and interested people; you need not be Catholic to attend. http://www.catholiccharities.org/ccabout.html

NETWORK A NATIONAL CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE LOBBY - A Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace—educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation. Congressional locater by zip code; voting records of elected officials; analysis of issues as to whether they comport with Catholic Social Teaching or not; educational resources. http://www.networklobby.org/

CENTER OF CONCERN - Analyzes global issues and social structures – hunger, poverty, environmental decline, injustice etc. - from an ethical perspective based on Catholic Social Teaching. Develops strategies and projects that promote the good of the entire global community and the integrity of every individual.  Goal is to provide individuals and organizations with basic tools to address these universal questions: What are the root causes of human suffering in the world today? How can we change the system to increase social justice and offer hope? http://www.coc.org/

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES - Official Catholic international relief organization. Education, advocacy, and great projects for parishes to remove causes of poverty and promote social justice. Has an on-line “Project Catalog”. Fair Trade and Work of Human Hands programs would be great projects for parish groups. http://www.crs.org/http://www.crs.org/get_involved/at_church/index.cfm

CO-OP AMERICA'S RESPONSIBLE PLAYER - Provides information on hundreds of companies regarding issues such as Sweatshops, Pollution, Ethics, Discrimination etc. Can search their database by company name, brand, or type of product. http://www.responsibleshopper.org/

CO-OP AMERICA - The stated mission of Coop America is to harness economic power – the strength of consumers, investors, and businesses – to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. http://www.coopamerica.org