Wealth & Responsibility

Six principles Catholics should apply to evaluate economic matters

Adapted by Gene Hayes from T. C. Fox, "Wealth and Responsibility," National Catholic Reporter, June 12, 2009, pp. 1a-2a.

Every economic decision and institution must be judged in light of whether it protects or undermines the dignity of the human person.
QUESTION Does the economic system serve all the people in our society and allow them to participate?

Human dignity can be realized and protected only in community.
QUESTION Does economic life enhance or threaten our life together as a community?

All people have a right to participate in the economic life of society.
QUESTION How can people be assured of a minimum level of participation in the economy?

All members of society have a special obligation to the poor and vulnerable.
QUESTION How does the individual determine those in need of support and his/her share in that support?

Human rights are the minimum conditions for life in community.
QUESTION Why are life, food, clothing, shelter, rest, medical care, education, and employment fundamental rights?

Society as a whole, acting through public and private institutions, has the moral responsibility to enhance human dignity and protect human rights.
QUESTION What is the necessary level of involvement of government and private instutitions in enhancing human dignity and protecting human rights?

There is no guarantee that each of these principles is or will be observed. Nor is there an inference that if someone refuses to observe all the principles that that person is somehow less worthy than those who do observe them. We must keep proclaiming, preaching, and praying that these principles will be universally accepted, however.