Works of Mercy & Catholic social teaching

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
(Acts of compassion and love  - caring for our neighbor's physical needs)

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless
• Comfort the imprisoned
• Visit the sick
• Bury the dead

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY
(Acts of compassion and love - caring for our neighbor's spiritual needs)

• Admonish the sinner
• Instruct the ignorant
• Counsel the doubtful
• Comfort the sorrowful
• Bear wrongs patiently
• Forgive all injuries
• Pray for the living and the dead

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
(Main themes rooted in Scripture which have evolved throughout the history of the Church)

• Human life is sacred because each person is made in the image and likeness of God. The dignity of the human person extends to all - the sick, the young, the old, and the infants yet to be born.
  
• The human person is both sacred and joined with others.   We must work towards the common good.
• With inherent dignity, we have fundamental rights and corresponding responsibilities that demand that we must respect the rights of others too.
• As disciples of Jesus, we are called, as He did, to work for others in need - the poor, the oppressed, the powerless.
  
• People have a right to decent work, to live with dignity, and to meet their basic needs.
• As members of one human family, we are responsible for each other.
• God created the earth to sustain us and we must care for God's creations now and for future generations. We are called to be good stewards of creation, trustees of God's gifts.

For more information on Catholic Social Teaching, please see the Archdiocese of New York's Catholic Charities site.