One Word: Faith
Since its founding in 1881, the University of the Incarnate Word has committed to educational excellence in a context of faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God.
Summary Statement on Catholic Social Teaching
The phrase “Catholic Social Teaching” refers to major themes addressed in church documents from the late 19th century to today. It is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.
People have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Discussion Guide for Call to Family, Community, and ParticipationWe show our respect for the Creator by stewardship of creation.
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
In a world marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, the needs of the poor and vulnerable must come first.
Every person has a fundamental right to life and to those things required for human decency; with reciprocal duties to one another, to our families and to the larger society.
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace.
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. The basic rights of workers must be respected— the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
Discussion Guide for The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
(Excerpts from Publication No. 5-315 from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Washington, D.C., Copyright 2005.)
In his 2014 book on Mercy, Cardinal Walter Kasper highlights a document by Pope Benedict XVI, Caritatis in Veritate (Charity in Truth), which explains that love is the principle anchoring the above themes, because the human vocation lies in our active response to God’s calling us into being through relationships with others. In that context, Catholic Social Teaching is simply a systematic expression of the faith ethics exemplified by the first Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Their encounter with God in ministering to the sick and the poor displays the heartfelt response to suffering people in our world today that UIW expects of its employees and graduates.