Church, State, and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine

Title Page, Copyright, Dedication

Church, State, and Society C at h o l i c M o r a l T h o u g h t General Editor: Romanus Cessario, O.P. Church, State, and Society An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine J. Brian Benestad  The Catholic University of America Press Washington, D.C. Nihil Obstat: The Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. Censor Deputatus Imprimatur: The Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl Archbishop of Washington January 27, 2010 The nihil obstat and the imprimatur are declarations that a work is considered to be free from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the same agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed. Copyright © 2011 The Catholic University of America Press All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standards for Information Science—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. ∞ Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Benestad, J. Brian. Church, state, and society : an introduction to Catholic social doctrine / J. Brian Benestad. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978-0-8132-1800-7 (cloth : alk. paper) — isbn 978-0-8132-1801-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Christian sociology—Catholic Church. 2. Catholic Church— Doctrines. I. Title. II. Title: Introduction to Catholic social doctrine. bx1753. b435 2011 230'.2—dc22 2010035471 To my wife, Janet, and my children, Katherine, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Brian, with love and gratitude  With gratitude to Pope Benedict XVI, preeminent theologian and teacher of the Catholic faith “Charity is at the heart of the Church’s social doctrine. Indeed, all the responsibilities and all the duties spelled out by that doctrine are derived from charity. . . . [C]harity in its turn needs to be understood, confirmed, and practiced in the light of truth. If we love others with charity, then first of all we are just to them. . . . [J]ustice is inseparable from charity, and intrinsic to it.” (Caritas in veritate, nos. 2, 6.) “[T]here can be no justice without a resurrection of the dead. . . . I am convinced that the question of justice constitutes the essential argument, or in any case the strongest argument, in favor of eternal life. . . . [O]nly in connection with the impossibility that the injustice of history should be the final word does the necessity for Christ’s return and for new life become fully convincing.” (Spe salvi, nos. 42, 43.) ...