The Church has always proclaimed the demands of the Gospel regarding social, political and economic behaviour. Inspired by the teaching of the Scriptures with its precepts of justice, peace, non violence and compassion towards the poor, the hungry, thirsty, the naked, the sick, the stranger, the prisoner and the widow (cf. Ex. 22: 21-22; Is 1:17; 58:6-7; Mt. 25: 31, 34), she has regularly defended the poor and weak, denounced oppression and exploitation, and promoted justice, peace and charity. The Church is convinced that she cannot fulfil her evangelising mission without penetrating and transforming the social, political and economic spheres of human existence with the spirit of the Gospel and helping to liberate the human race from oppressive, degrading or dehumanising situations.