Weekday–Labor Day

THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF ECONOMY, a Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States^[1]

Our own rich heritage of Catholic teaching offers important direction and insight. Most importantly, we are guided by the concern for the poor and afflicted shown by Jesus, who came to “bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, new sight to the blind, and to set the downtrodden free” (Lk 4:18). In addition, the social encyclicals of the popes and documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Synod of Bishops defend the basic human right to useful employment, just wages, and decent working conditions as well as the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively. They condemn unemployment, maldistribution of resources, and other forms of economic injustice and call for the creation of useful work experiences and new forms of industrial organization enabling workers to share in decision making, increased production, and even ownership. Again and again they point out the interrelation of economics and ethics, urging that economic activity be guided by social morality.

Catholic teaching on economic issues flows from the Church’s commitment to human rights and human dignity. This living tradition articulates a number of principles which are useful in evaluating our current economic situation. Without attempting to set down an all-inclusive list, we draw the following principles from the social teachings of the Church and ask that policymakers and citizens ponder their implications.

Economic activity should be governed by justice and be carried out within the limits of morality. It must serve people’s needs. The right to have a share of earthly goods sufficient for oneself and one’s family belongs to everyone. Economic prosperity is to be assessed not so much from the sum total of goods and wealth possessed as from the distribution of goods according to norms of justice. Opportunities to work must be provided for those who are able and willing to work. Every person has the right to useful employment, to just wages, and to adequate assistance in case of real need.

Economic development must not be left to the sole judgment of a few persons or groups possessing excessive economic power, or to the political community alone. On the contrary, at every level the largest possible number of people should have an active share in directing that development. A just and equitable system to taxation requires assessment according to ability to pay. Government must play a role in the economic activity of its citizens. Indeed, it should promote in a suitable manner the production of a sufficient supply of material goods. Moreover, it should safeguard the rights of all citizens, and help them find opportunities for employment.

     ^[1]PASTORAL LETTERS, Vol. IV, 1975-1983, Ed. by Hugh J. Nolan (U.S. Cath. Conference, 1984) pp. 93-94.