An overview of Sister Lappetito's understanding on theological anthropology and Catholic social teachings:
- Respect for human dignity entails a quality of presence that is one of listening to the other, free of preconceived notions, and appreciative of his/her hopes, fears and dreams. Such an attitude enables one to recognize and affirm the positive attributes of another, which in turn initiates the process of building trust and mutuality.
- Relationships enable us to understand better inhumane or needless suffering and provide insight into systemic failure or corruption.
- Complex social issues will usually be many-sided and will seldom yield an outcome free of conflicting claims. Because societies and life itself are dynamic, social structures and organizations will need continuous evaluation and reevaluations. The principle of human dignity applied with prudence is the norm that tests an institution’s moral value.
