Our Catholic Church, the Church to which we all belong insists that all men and women must be respected and given their right to protection and a share in the development of the human society. The Church’s position is articulated in the body of teachings called ‘’The Catholic Social Teaching.’’ The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom on how to build a just society and how to live lives of holiness in the midst of the challenges of the contemporary society, contemporary society, indeed, inspite of its challenges. The Catholic Social Teaching has been articulated over many years through a tradition of Papal Documents, documents arising from various Councils and teachings of Bishops in their various jurisdictions. The depth and richness of the tradition can be understood best only through a direct reading of these documents. However, let me offer a brief reflection of some of the key themes that are at the heart of ‘’The Catholic Social Teaching.’’
The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all principles of our social teaching. Our Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of the greatness of every institution lies in whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
• Most. Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
