Reader John Herreid writes:

I figured out why I’m not getting this idea that Church teaching says families on welfare lack dignity and moral character. I had the wrong edition of the documents! For example, the standard edition of the Charter of the Rights of the Family states:

“The family has a right to assistance by society in the bearing and rearing of children. Those married couples who have a large family have a right to adequate aid and should not be subjected to discrimination.”…

The modern conservative edition says:

“Well-off families have a right to the bear and rear children. Impoverished married couples who have a large family may receive grudging assistance if they comply with mandatory drug testing and acknowledge their inferior moral state.”

The standard edition of Caritas in Veritate says:

“In view of [falling birth rates], States are called to enact policies promoting the centrality and the integrity of the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman, the primary vital cell of society, and to assume responsibility for its economic and fiscal needs, while respecting its essentially relational character.”

The modern conservative edition says:

“In view of [falling birth rates], States asked to keep out of it and let the free market dictate how families are formed. While we recognize that the centrality and the integrity of the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman is the primary vital cell of society, to assume responsibility for its economic and fiscal needs would be treating our respected wealthier citizens like cash cows.”

Anyway, you should all look into what edition you have on hand. Chances are you may be relying on the inferior standard editions.