Catholic Social Tradition Principles

Prayer Service

Latin America through the Eyes of Oscar Romero

Throughout much of Central and Latin America, Saint Óscar Romero is revered as a prophet who truly lived and proclaimed the option for the poor and vulnerable--the voiceless. Today, the voiceless...
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Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Blood Diamond

The movie Blood Diamond has helped to spark awareness about conflict diamonds: diamonds that are often harvested illegally and used to fund ongoing conflicts in places like Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra...
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Fact Sheet: Poverty in the U.S. (2007)

37 million, or 12.6 percent of people in the U.S.. live below the poverty line. This resource includes updated facts about poverty in America, and is perfect for a bulletin insert on the issue.

Themes of CST: The Common Good

A new backgrounder on the principle of the Common Good provides a thorough overview for anyone interested in a greater understanding of the foundations of Catholic social teaching. This eight-page...
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Bulletin Insert: Iraqi Refugees: A "Red Light of Alarm"

Refugees are leaving Iraq at a rate of 3,000 a day, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This two-pager (perfect for a bulletin insert!) details the plight of Iraqi...
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The Preferential Option for the Poor: History and Overview

This 3-page reflection, from the book, Opting for the Poor: The Challenge for the Twenty-First Century, by Peter J. Henriot, S.J., describes: The five stages of the historical development of the...
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Option for the Poor - an Introduction

This introductory piece is in popular language and discusses the option for the poor and liberation theology as related to poverty in the U.S.

Themes of CST: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

This resource provides an overview of the social teaching on the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, one of the basic tenets of CST. This six-page resource can be used to gain background knowlege or...
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Lesson Plan

A Journey Towards Unity: Hagia Sophia in Turkey

This resource explores Pope Benedict's 2006 trip to Turkey and provides several engaging activities to explore the topic of Christian unity and inter-religious dialogue. The places the Pope visited...
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December 3, 2006 - U.S. Catholic Bishops Urge Responsible Transition in Iraq

Create a Global Solidarity Advent Calendar

This resource provides instructions on constructing an Advent Calendar of Global Solidarity. As we strive to be in global solidarity with people in all parts of the world, especially those who are...
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Lesson Plan

The Amish: Nonviolence confronting Violence (Discussion Guide & Charts)

After a deadly attack on an Amish schoolhouse on October 2, 2006 by a gunman, the Amish refused to take part in the cycle of violence and instead forgave their perpetrator. Their reaction has been...
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