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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FUND APPLICATIONS
"The immediate purpose of the Church's social doctrine is to propose the principles and values that can sustain a society worthy of the human person. Among these principles, solidarity includes all others in a certain way. It represents one of the fundamental principles of the Christian view of social and political organization" - Centesimus Annus
"Light is shed on this principle by the primacy of love, 'the distinguishing mark of Christ's disciples.' Jesus teaches us that the fundamental law of human perfection and consequently of the transformation of the world is the new commandment of love. Personal behavior is fully human when born of love, manifests love and is ordered to love.
This truth also applies to the social sphere; Christians must be deeply convinced witnesses of this, and they are to show by their lives how love is the only force that can lead to personal and social perfection, allowing society to make progress toward the good. For the happy results we all long for must be chiefly brought about by the plenteous outpouring of charity; of that true Christian charity which is the fulfilling of the whole Gospel law, which is always ready to sacrifice itself for the sake of others.
Human relationships cannot be governed solely according to the measure of justice. 'Christians know that love is the reasons for God's entering into relationship with persons. And it is love which God awaits as a person's response. Those who think they can live the supernatural virtue of love without taking into account its corresponding natural foundations, which include the duties of justice, deceive themselves. Charity is the greatest social commandment. Nor can love find its full expression solely in the earthly dimension of human relationships and social relations, because it is relation to God that it finds its full effectiveness.'"
- excerpts from the The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (580-583)
