A vocation is a call that requires a free and responsible answer. Integral human development presupposes the responsible freedom of the individual and of peoples: no structure can guarantee this development over and above human responsibility. The “types of messianism which give promises but create illusions” always build their case on a denial of the transcendent dimension of development, in the conviction that it lies entirely at their disposal. This false security becomes a weakness, because it involves reducing man to subservience, to a mere means for development, while the humility of those who accept a vocation is transformed into true autonomy, because it sets them free.
Extremely timely, Kendall.
I urge people to read the document in its entirty and not just those sections cherry picked by some and given an extremely leftist slant.
It must be remembered that in Catholic social teaching one of the principle guidelines is Subsdiarity which is explained as follows:
“One of the key principles of Catholic social thought is known as the principle of subsidiarity. This tenet holds that nothing should be done by a larger and more complex organization which can be done as well by a smaller and simpler organization. In other words, any activity which can be performed by a more decentralized entity should be. This principle is a bulwark of limited government and personal freedom. It conflicts with the passion for centralization and bureaucracy characteristic of the Welfare State.”
Keep in mind too that the Church believes certain results should be the outcome of economic policy. These include the protection and elevation of human dignity. The stabilization of democratic forms of government. The non exploisive uses of labor, resources, capital and profit. The protection of those who are less fortunate. All these have at their center the affirmation that man is made in God’s image and that creation should be rightly used to reflect it is a gift from Him.