Catholicism

All the basic tenets, teaching, and calls to action that summarise the Catholic faith

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1–17

For a brief Catholic examination of the Ten Commandments and why these are important to us, see Catholicism and the Ten Commandments.

1. I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any gods before Me.

2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.

4. Honour the father and mother.

5. Thou shalt not kill.

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

7. Thou shalt not steal.

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

9. Thou shalt not covet the neighbour's wife.

10. Though shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods.

The Lord did not expressly give Moses ten numbered commandments as we understand it today. The verses in Exodus were grouped and understood to by the historical church as such. To understand the passage allegedly omitted concerning 'graven images', see this article by the Catholic News Agency.

Works of mercy

Corporal

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Give alms to the poor.
Visit the imprisoned.
Shelter the homeless / welcome the stranger.
Visit the sick.
Bury the dead.

Works of mercy

Spiritual

Admonish the sinner.
Instruct the ignorant.
Counsel the doubtful.
Comfort the sorrowful.
Bear wrongs patiently.
Forgive offences willingly.
Pray for the living and the dead.

'Go and learn the meaning of these words, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." I did not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.' (Matthew 9:13)

Tenets of Catholic social teaching

These principles inform our work and how we conduct ourselves in society.

Life and dignity of the human person

You formed my inmost being,
you knit me in my mother's womb;
I praise you, so wonderfully you made me,
wonderful are your works!
My very self you knew;
— Psalms 139:13–14

Human life is sacred. We are formed in God's image and every person has inherent dignity and worth.

Call to family, community, and participation

We are called to family and community, and every person has a right and duty to participate in society, to seek the common good and well-being of all.

Rights and responsibilities

We each have basic rights as well as responsibilities to one another to uphold our common dignity.

Every person has a right to life and human decency. Correspondingly, we have responsibilities to one another, our families and to the world.

Option for the poor and vulnerable

Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.
— Matthew 25:40

The dignity of work and the rights of workers

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Solidarity

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself. the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.
— Matthew 22:37–40

Care for God's creation

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