We believe in the God of justice --
the God who is just,
who seeks justice,
who requires all believers to be builders of justice.

We believe that human beings are sacred, made in the image and likeness of God,
that respect for human dignity is the foundation of a just society,
and that protecting this dignity requires that
the basic civil and economic rights of all people be defended.

Therefore, we commit ourselves to build a society
where no one goes without the basic material necessities
that are required to live a decent life --
food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, and employment.

We believe that God identifies in a special way with those who are poor and that a fundamental moral criterion for a just society is its treatment of those who are powerless and poor.

Therefore, we commit ourselves to defend the rights of the poor and to evaluate economic and social policies and institutions from the perspective of the poor and powerless.

We believe that human beings are inherently social and that, if individuals are to grow and prosper, then community must grow and prosper.

Therefore, we commit ourselves to promote the common good and to create a renewed sense of public purpose in our society.

We believe that we are all one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences.

Therefore, we commit ourselves to practice and promote the virtue of solidarity and to bridge racial, economic and geographic boundaries in search of a more just society.

In seeking to live by these beliefs, we commit ourselves to an ongoing process of observing, judging and acting --

We will carefully observe and learn from the changing realities of our world; we will judge these realities using the resources of our intellect through social analysis and the values of our faith through reflection and prayer; and we will act on our beliefs because we know that action is the ultimate test of commitment to justice.