Catholic Social Teaching: Common Good

In our actions and societies, we must consider not what is good just for us or for a few, but for all human beings and the planet. We must love our neighbour, locally and globally, above any commercial interest.

“God intended the Earth with everything contained in it for the use of all human beings and peoples". ― Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, 69

EXAMPLE IN ACTION: Development and Peace – Caritas Canada Supports organizations that seek the good of whole communities, rather than any individual or company. Even though God wants all people to enjoy creation equally, profit interests often carve up and privatize creation, turning the gifts of God into commodities to be bought and sold, not guaranteed to all.

Water is a good example. Since 2003, we have supported and advocated for publicly owned water sources both at home and abroad. Traditionally, water was shared between local farmers. Now, however, the World Bank and other international bodies increasingly pressurize countries to privatize the management of water and other natural resources. Our partners work for community-based water management, stronger public control of and access to clean water in rural and urban areas, and the rights of all people to enjoy water bodies like rivers and lakes.

In 2003, our members presented their municipal governments a Water Declaration whose five principles include emphasizing people before profit; access to water as a basic human right; and water as a common good, not a resource to be exploited for individual or corporate gain.
Rather than giving up our individuality, working for the common good allows us to explore and contribute our unique abilities, creating space for others to do the same.

“The demands of the common good…concern above all the commitment to peace, the organization of the State’s powers, a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, and the provision of essential services to all, some of which are the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care, the freedom of communication and expression, and the protection of religious freedom. Nor must one forget the contribution that every nation is required in duty to make towards a true worldwide cooperation for the common good of the whole of humanity and for future generations also.”
–Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 166

WHY GIVE? By giving to Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, you are helping to restore dignity to vulnerable populations, to advocate for democracy, to pray for lasting peace and build a more just world

Donations can be made by clicking on the following link or by calling toll free 1-888-234-8533.