The Common Good and Community: As human beings we are both sacred and social people. We achieve our fulfilment within community; so how society is organised, its economy, law and policy, directly affect human dignity and how individuals are able to grow and flourish within community. While it is very important to love our neighbour, it also requires us to have a broader view of life and to take responsibility to contribute to the good of the whole of society, to contribute to the common good. Human dignity can only be realised and protected within society. We must love our neighbour, locally and globally, and prioritize the good of the human family over commercial interests. The common good also includes all people, creatures and habitats. Our treatment of the ecosystem has consequences for the well-being of future generations. We live in an interdependent world and we need to measure our own self-interest against the greater common good and contribute equitably to global solutions. The state prospers when there is good moral rule, well-regulated family life, respect for religion and justice, just and fair taxation, and appropriate provision of social services. Every level of society should benefit from the state and the state should work to promote the common good. The state should watch over the community in its parts but it must also pay particular attention to the weak and the poor. Promoting the common good means promoting the full development of all humanity and encouraging them to take an active part in society. While the Church should never replace the State, she cannot remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice. The Church promotes justice through bringing about an openness of mind and will in seeking the common good. In today's world where injustice abounds, a call to global solidarity is logically and inevitable. The notion of the common good also extends to future generations. We can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from intergenerational solidarity. Scripture Genesis 4:8-15; Leviticus 25:23-43; Micah 6:6-8; John 15:12-17; 1 John 4:19-21

Global Solidarity and Economic Development: Catholic Social Teaching proclaims that we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers! We are one human family and interdependent, whatever our national, racial, ethic, economic or religious differences. We must see ourselves in others and collaborate toward solutions. Solidarity is a commitment to strengthen community and promote a just society. We live in an interdependent world; what I do affects others. Authentic economic development must respect and promote the personal, social, economic and political rights of people and nations. It must avoid the extremes of underdevelopment on the one hand and super-development on the other hand. Solidarity is a way of life that recognises that we are all sisters and brothers regardless of race, creed or ethnic background. Solidarity can be seen from two perspectives: first it is an obligation of society and nations, and second it is an obligation of individuals. Solidarity helps us to see the other as our neighbour rather than an instrument to be exploited. Interdependence is also part of solidarity and when we see ourselves in solidarity with the world we commit ourselves to the common good. We have inherited from past generations, and we have benefited from the work of our contemporaries: for this reason we have obligations towards all, and we cannot refuse to interest ourselves in those who will come after us to enlarge the human family. The reality of human solidarity, which is a benefit for us, also imposes a duty (On the Development of Peoples, #17). Scripture Genesis 12: 1-3; Zechariah 8:16; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26