III. Fundamental Values
A. Truth
Catholic Charities affirm that transparency and accountability will always be pursued in our communication and work.
Catholic Charities affirm the truth of the intrinsic dignity and worth of the human
person as a social being and will witness to our Catholic identity in fulfilling our roles in Church and in society.
B. Freedom
Catholic Charities affirm that we will always assist our clients, staff and volunteers to live in socially responsible freedom, to exercise their authentic autonomy in light of objective truth and to actualize their inherent potential as beings created in the image and likeness of God.
Catholic Charities will respect and affirm the autonomy of each organization/entity with whom we are in relationship.
C. Justice
Catholic Charities affirm that it is a matter of justice that all clients have the right to
self-actualization and to reach their potential as beings created in the image and likeness of God.
Catholic Charities affirm that we will work to achieve greater justice in our communities through our social policy advocacy efforts – locally, nationally and internationally.
Catholic Charities affirm that all contracts and agreements and all relationships with
stakeholders will be based on norms of justice.
Catholic Charities affirm that we will work to expand and maintain diversity and
excellence in our membership, board, leadership positions and staff.
Catholic Charities affirm that we will continue to work to help eradicate racism and
prejudice within our own organizations and in society at large.
“Men and women have
the specific duty to
move always towards
the truth, to respect it
and bear responsible
witness to it” [431]
(Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the
Church, 198).
Every human person,
created in the image
of God, has the natural
right to be recognized
as a free and responsible
being. All owe
to each other this
duty of respect” [436]
(Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the
Church, 199).
D. Love
Catholic Charities affirm that love – caritas – will be the chief identifying characteristic and element of our work and life.
“When we attend to the
needs of those in want,
we give them what is
theirs, not ours. More
than performing works
of mercy, we are paying
a debt of justice” [392]
(Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the
Church, 184).
“It is from the inner
wellspring of love that
the values of truth,
freedom and justice
are born and grow”
[451] (Compendium of
the Social Doctrine of
the Church, 205).
