Catechism of the Catholic Church

468 Part Three individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily” ( GS 26 § 1). 1925 The common good consists of three essential ele­ ments: respect for and promotion of the fundamental rights of the person; prosperity, or the development of the spiritual and temporal goods of society; the peace and security of the group and of its members. 1926 The dignity of the human person requires the pursuit of the common good. Everyone should be concerned to create and support institutions that improve the conditions of human life. 1927 It is the role of the state to defend and promote the common good of civil society. The common good of the whole human family calls for an organization of society on the international level. A rticle 3 SOCIAL JUSTICE 1928 Society ensures social justice when it provides the condi­ tions that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation. Social justice is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority. I. R espect for the H uman P erson 1929 Social justice can be obtained only in respecting the tran­ scendent dignity of man. The person represents the ultimate end of society, which is ordered to him: What is at stake is the dignity of the human person, whose defense and promotion have been entrusted to us by the Creator, and to whom the men andwomen at everymoment of history are strictly and responsibly in debt. 35 1930 Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to so­ ciety and must be recognized by it. They are the basis of the moral 35 John Paul II, SRS 47. 2832 1881 1700 1902