Through an analysis of selected prepapal and papal writings this chapter explains Pope Benedict XVI’s view that the Catholic Church makes its primary contribution to the political and social order by teaching the faith, forming its own members in the practice of all the virtues, and by offering to both Catholics and non-Catholics an education in the principles of Catholic social teaching: namely, the dignity of the human person, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity. With the guidance of these principles and other teachings, in dialogue with ancient, medieval, and modern political philosophy, it is the God-given duty of all Christians, in accordance with their abilities and opportunities, to work for the benefit of the temporal society in which they live. The clergy and the laity, of course, have different roles to play.