What Catholic social teachings are relevant about the issue of graft and corruption in society?

Answer 1

Basically, Catholic social teachings walk a fine line between several competing issues: modern financial and State practices, Catholic moral practices, and human rights in general. Underpinning all Catholic instruction is the importance of individual character and moral character traits. Without these, in a strong moral conscience, activities like graft and corruption can easily occur from individuals and groups. Graft and corruption begins with one person, which can then involve many individuals, agency, government department, and even the church itself. When moral ethicists ask if it is okay to take pencils, pens, and printing paper home from your job, it is a small example of "stealing". When we minimize our small wrong actions, it can quickly lead to larger scale graft and corruption in any setting that involves money and / or power. When a priest skims money from the collection plate every month for his own purposes (as has been known to occur), the moral fiber of the church itself is weakened. So each person must keep their own moral values high, or it can affect the micro (smaller) community (like a specific church) or the macro (larger) community, like government.

According to Oliver F. Williams, C.S.C.. Williams and Houck, eds., Catholic Social Thought and the New World Order (1993) 8-16:There are four features of Catholic social teaching which clearly embody a moderate communitarianism: 1) "Rights, while important, are not always viewed as absolute but are seen in the context of their role of promoting and protecting human dignity in community." 2) "The market has an important though limited function in society." 3) "The state has an important though limited function in society." 4) "Individuality is shaped by social institutions, and institutions that corrupt people's character need to be reformed while those engendering desirable character traits ought to be strengthened."

Answer 2

Catholic social teachings emphasize the principles of justice, solidarity, and stewardship. Therefore, graft and corruption are seen as moral evils that violate these principles by exploiting others for personal gain, undermining the common good, and betraying the values of honesty and transparency. Catholics are called to work towards creating a just and ethical society that upholds the dignity of every person and promotes the common good.