Early historical context and taking care of our own -- The social mission of the church in the first part of the twentieth century -- The understanding of the church after Vatican II -- Vatican II and a new understanding of the social mission -- Post-Vatican II developments of three earlier instances of the social mission -- Three significant issues in the post-Vatican II church -- Roles of the church in supporting the social mission -- U.S. bishops and abortion law -- Conclusions : looking backward and forward
Summary
Discusses the importance of the services provided by charities, hospitals, and schools run by the Catholic Church in the United States
