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Papal and Vatican Documents Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor)—Pope Leo XIII, 1891Quadragesimo Anno (After Forty Years)—Pope Pius XI, 1931Mater et Magistra (Christianity and Social Progress)—St. John XXIII, 1961Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth)—St. John XXIII, 1963Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World)—Second Vatican Council, 1965Dignitatis Humanae (Declaration on Religious Freedom)—Second Vatican Council, 1965Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples)—Blessed Paul VI, 1967Octogesima Adveniens (A Call to Action)—Blessed Pope Paul VI, 1971Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World)—Blessed Paul VI, 1975Laborem Exercens (On Human Work)—St. John Paul II, 1981Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (On Social Concern)—St. John Paul II, 1987The Church and Racism: Towards a more fraternal society —Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1989Centesimus Annus (The Hundredth Year)—St. John Paul II, 1991Veritatis splendor (The Splendor of Truth)—St. John Paul II, 1993Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)—St. John Paul II, 1995Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person)—Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1998Ecclesia in America (The Church in America)—St. John Paul II, 1999Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason)—St. John Paul II, 1998Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life - Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2002Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church —Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2004Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love)—Pope Benedict XVI, 2005Sacramentum Caritatis (The Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church's Life and Mission)—Pope Benedict XVI, 2007 (especially paragraphs 47, 49, 82-84, and 88-92)Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth)—Pope Benedict XVI, 2009Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)—Pope Francis, 2013Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home)—Pope Francis, 2015Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazon)—Pope Francis, 2020Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship)—Pope Francis, 2020Laudate Deum (Praise God)—Pope Francis, 2023Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us)—Pope Francis, 2024
United States Catholic Bishops Documents A Renewed Call to Solidarity with Africa , March 2022 | en Español | en français Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States , November 2015 , (with 2023 Introductory Note). See previous political responsibility statements .Open Wide Our Hearts: the Enduring Call to Love | en Español , November 2018 Labor Day Statements Respecting the Just Rights of Workers , June 2009 A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death | en Español November 2005 Catholics in Political Life , June 2004 "For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food" Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers | en Español December 2003 Strangers No Longer | en Español January 2003 , Joint Statement from Bishops of the United States and MexicoA Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children | en Español , December 2002 Statement on Iraq , November 2002 Statement on Israeli-Palestinian Violence , March 2002 A Call to Solidarity with Africa | en français , November 2001 A Pastoral Message: Living with Faith and Hope After September 11 , November 2001 Resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis , June 2001 Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good | en Español June 2001 Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice | en Español November 2000 Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity | en Español November 2000 Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice | en Español November 1999 In All Things Charity: A Pastoral Challenge for the New Millennium , November 1999 A Good Friday Appeal to End the Death Penalty | en Español April 1999 A Commitment to All Generations: Social Security and the Common Good , May 1999 A Jubilee Call for Debt Forgiveness , April 1999 Living the Gospel of Life | en Español November 1998 Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions | en Español June 1998 Called to Global Solidarity | en Español November 1997 A Catholic Framework for Economic Life | en Español November 1996 A Decade After Economic Justice for All | en Español November 1995 Sowing Weapons of War , June 1995 Moral Principles and Policy Priorities for Welfare Reform , March 1995 The Cries of the Poor are Still with Us , September 1995 Confronting a Culture of Violence | en Español November 1994 Communities of Salt and Light : Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish | en Español November 1993 The Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace , November 1993 A Framework for Comprehensive Healthcare Reform , 1993 When I call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women | en Español September 1992 A Matter of the Heart , November 1992 Renewing the Earth | en Español , 1991 Putting Children and Families First: A Challenge for Our Church, Nation and World | en Español, 1991 A Century of Social Teaching , 1990 New Slavery, New Freedom , 1990 Called to Compassion and Responsibility , November 1989 Toward Peace in the Middle East , 1989 Homelessness and Housing , March 1988 Statement on Central America | en Español Economic Justice for All | en Español , November 1986 The Challenge of Peace , 1983 Statement on Capital Punishment , November 1980In the Name of Peace: Collective Statements on War and Peace , 1919-1980 Brothers and Sisters to Us | en Español , 1979 Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities , 1978 Declaration on Conscientious Objection and Selective Conscientious Objection , October 1971