Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
“The rights of workers, like all other rights, are based on the nature of the human person and on their transcendent dignity.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #301
All workers have inalienable rights, as the economy should serve the person; the person does not exist to serve the economy.
Discover a rich collection of resources rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, designed to illuminate the dignity of work and the rights of workers. This curated content equips educators, faith leaders, and advocates with tools to inspire action and reflection on justice in the workplace and economic systems.
Catholic Social Teaching Resources on the Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
- Prayers and Reflections: Ground your understanding of work and human dignity in spiritual practices and Gospel values.
- Lesson Plans and Activities: Engaging, ready-to-use materials for teaching about labor rights and the moral implications of economic justice.
- Multimedia Resources: Videos, articles, and visuals that bring the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to life for diverse audiences.
- Advocacy Tools: Practical guides for promoting fair wages, safe conditions, and policies that prioritize workers’ rights.
Each resource is crafted to deepen your understanding of the Church’s commitment to justice, solidarity, and the common good. Whether you’re preparing for a classroom discussion, parish presentation, or personal study, these materials offer valuable insights into how the dignity of work is a cornerstone of human flourishing.
The rights of workers and especially the right to unions and collective bargaining have been in the news during the first part of 2011. In Wisconsin and other states, the rights of collective...
Thirty-Three mine workers in Chile are currently trapped alive 2,200 feet underground. It could be more than a month before they are rescued. Recent tragedies in the U.S. and elsewhere have...
This two-page resource provides a look at the intersection of labor, solidarity and social justice through the life and work of Walter Reuther. This Labor Day piece looks at Catholic social...
This two-page resource includes a litany for workers of all kinds, praying for 'the work of our hands', along with updates on current legislation pertaining to worker's rights. An advocacy activity...
Labor Day is a fitting occasion to look again at the Church's teaching on the economy. This two-page article provides a lens for assessing the current economic realities of our country and wider...
Job creation is a key agenda item for the current administration in 2010. This is a moral task as well as an economic necessity. From a theological perspective, authentic human...
Rosa Parks was a remarkable woman whose life and actions revealed what it meant to take a stand for justice - even while sitting down. This 10-page print-ready lesson plan is an activity designed to...
Brian Corbin from the Diocese of Youngstown offers an analysis on Pope Benedict's treatment of labor in the newest encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate." This timely two-page resource is a great...
Caritas in Veritate addresses the social themes vital to the well-being of humanity and reminds us that authentic renewal of both individuals and society requires living by Christ’s truth in love. ...
This five-page resource provides an introduction to the themes of Catholic Social Teaching through the use of a video prepared by Catholic Relief Services on Fair Trade, "Solidarity in a Cup". This...
A Teachable Moment - Halloween and Fair Trade Chocolate. Americans will spend $1.2 billion on chocolate for Halloween. Bring a little taste of justice to this holiday by looking at fair trade...
Black Gold is a documentary that asks us "to wake up and smell the coffee," to face the unjust conditions under which our favorite drink is produced and to decide what we can do about it. The film...
