A new contribution by Professor L. Salutati has been published on the Alphonsian Academy’s blog, exploring the fundamental concepts of the Church’s social doctrine.
The universal destination of goods is a fundamental principle of the Social Doctrine of the Church which states that ” God has destined the earth with all that it contains for the use of all men and peoples” and that, therefore, created goods must be accessible and aimed at the good of each and every individual and all according to criteria of justice and charity ( CSDC , n.171).
According to this principle, the goods of creation – that is, natural resources, the fruits of human labor, technologies and even immaterial goods such as knowledge – are not gifts intended exclusively for a few individuals, but for the entire human race, so that each person can satisfy the essential needs for a dignified life and for the full development of his or her human dignity ( CDSC , n. 171).
The Social Doctrine of the Church does not deny the right to private property; in fact, it recognizes that property is a useful instrument for guaranteeing personal and family freedom and for promoting individual autonomy. However, this right is not absolute and must always be considered subordinate to the primary principle of the universal destination of goods ( CSDC , n. 172).
In other words, private property is seen as a tool for achieving the universal destination of goods, but not as an end in itself. It has a social function and must contribute to the promotion of the common good, without hindering equitable access to goods for all ( CDSC , n. 178).
This vision arises from the conviction that no human being can be excluded from the use of the goods necessary for his life and integral development. It has biblical roots (cf. Gen 1:28–29) and is reaffirmed by the Church’s social encyclicals, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
A key point is that the universal destination of goods does not mean that everything is immediately available to everyone , nor that everyone can use any object at any time, but rather that the use of goods must be regulated with a view to justice, equity and charity, through just laws, social agreements and economic structures that allow everyone to access what they need. ( CDSC , n. 173)
From here also derives the preferential option for the poor, another central principle of the Social Doctrine, because the principle of the universal destination of goods leads us to pay particular attention to the conditions of those excluded from access to necessary goods, the poor, the marginalized and those who do not have the same opportunities for development. The Church affirms that it is not enough to avoid injustices, but that society must actively promote the conditions that allow everyone to participate in economic and social life ( CDSC , n. 173).
In the ethical and social sphere, this teaching implies personal and collective responsibilities: political, economic, and social institutions must direct their laws and practices so that they do not hinder equitable access to goods. At the same time, individuals are encouraged to use resources responsibly and in solidarity, recognizing that possessing goods also entails the duty to share their fruits, especially with those in need ( CDSC , nn. 174-175).
In summary, the universal destination of goods in the Social Doctrine of the Church is a principle that calls attention to the dignity of the person, solidarity, justice, and the common good, placing the use of goods at the service of the integral growth of every human being and of the entire human community.
