Some people think that catholic social justice is marxism in disguise. This does not appear to be true, because, for example, in the book, "My Catholic Faith," (an illustrated catechism that has been widely used in traditional circles and is still in print) section 113 is called, "Social Justice." Here are a few excerpts,
"The government should protect the right of private ownership. Citizens are most contented when they have some property to call their own, on which they can depend for the necessities of their families and for maintenance in their old age. Problems of peace and order increase with the increase of people who have no property of their own to think about. Something is wrong when a country's wealth is in the hands of a limited few; everyone should be owner of something, however little."
"The teachings of the church on social justice are based on the seventh and tenth commandments."
"2. A person has obligations towards his fellowmen; this fact is fundamental and immutable. If he fails to observe the obligations relating to the social-economic side of life, he sins against the seventh and tenth commandments."
"Men are created equal, all being made to God's image, all destined for immortality. But there are natural inequalities, arising from physical, mental, material causes. A person must not exploit the inequalities, taking advantage of those less fortunate."
From the moral point of view the purposes of economic life are the following:
2. the motive of profit must always give way to the motive of the moral law.
3. God's gifts should be distributed in an equitable manner.
4. Everyone should be provided with useful employment, in accordance with his abilities and needs, and with his dignity as a human being created by God.
Why Is Private Ownership A Right?- Private ownership is a right because every man has a right to life, and to all means necessary for the purposes of life.
Private ownership is a right because if every moment of a person's life were occupied in providing for his daily maintenance, he would have nothing to sustain him in cases of illness of misfortune. Besides, in such a case he would have no leisure in which to attend to the interests of his soul.
One is moreover bound to provide for those dependent on him, and this can only be done if he can keep property above what is absolutely needful."
5. ...Communism confiscates all private property for the State, and aims to provide for the wants of everybody out of public funds.
Besides being impracticable, the idea of Communism violates individual and family rights. The State is merely empowered to supervise and regulate the acquisition and disposal of property for the common good, with justice to everyone."