This book offers a new way of understanding Catholic social ethics. The narrative expands its context backward into the pre-biblical past and outward into the social teachings of other religions and civilizations. It also tells a story that shows the continuity between the different eras of Catholic tradition, and it brings in the witness of heroic men and women to the possibility of living by our beliefs. It portrays our social ethics as a work in progress. Our beliefs have been put forward clearly by official teachers; they have been integrated, to some extent into our institutions; they need to be better explained to the world. This work is intended to give students a deeper understanding of Catholic social ethics, so that they may more effectively communicate the powerfully attractive Catholic vision of life. It may even give some of those well-versed in Catholic ethics some new insights. The author draws on his experience as a theologian, a teacher, and a pastor to present information in a readable form. Having wished such a resource were available to him as a teacher, he has taken it upon himself to write it for others.