1. Does the policy represent the common good of society rather than the interest of afew?
   
2. Is the policy based on a true analysis and does it disclose its true intention? How likely is the outcome to achieve its proposed purpose?
   
3. Does the policy hold the prospect of reducing or increasing the polarization and fragmentation of the society?
   
4. Does the policy have the capacity to be good news for the poor? Does it reverse the trend toward widening the gap between rich and poor?
   
5. Is the policy good for children, the elderly, and the disadvantaged?
   
6. Does the policy refrain from the assumption that the powerful can ignore the interests and subsistence needs of the less advantaged segment of the society?
   
7. Does the policy provide for free discussion, and dissent along with fair and just methods of participation in the democratic process?
   
8. Does the policy encourage respect for persons and nations other than our own? Does it respect the right of self-determination of other nation-states?
   
9. Is the policy based on commitment to a global vision of cooperation and mutuality of respect? Does it use diplomacy as a valued instrument of statecraft in resolving international conflicts?
   
10. Is the policy supportive of strong measures to insure ecological responsibility and sustainability?
    

The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr.



Called to be Peacemakers: The Challenge and Promise of Peace in the 21st Century.
In the Fall 2009, Pax Christi USA published this groundbreaking document, following a significant participatory process. For links to the 4-page executive summary or the full 48 page document with additional background click here.




Catholic Social Justice Teaching Documents
A one-site source for church documents on peace & justice.
http://www.justpeace.org/docu.htm



Catholic Social Teaching
In various documents over the past 120 years the Church has addressed some of the issues of modern society collectively called Catholic Social Teaching. These are some of the main themes that have emerged:
The Life and Dignity of the Human Person
A Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
The Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Solidarity with the Poor
Care for God's Creation
For more information on Catholic Social Teaching, visit www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/socialteaching/excerpt.shtml



On Human Development in Charity in Truth (Caritas in Veritate)
In 2009 Pope Benedict issued this encyclical including these topics:
United Nations reform, development aid, an expanded pro-life agenda to include development, recognizing all the stakeholders. For the full text of the encyclical visit: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html



Immigration Fact Sheet
Since immigration is a current topic in our discussions recently we thought it might be interesting be include a document prepared by the Office of Migration and Refugee Policy, U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops on Unauthorized Immigrants & Taxes

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