Each of us is called to do our part as consumers to ensure that the economy works for everyone.  Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that, “It is good for people to realize that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act. Hence the consumer has a specific social responsibility, which goes hand-in-hand with the social responsibility of the enterprise.” (Caritas in Veritate) More recently, Pope Francis, “appealed for a return to person-centered ethics in the world of finance and economics”. Fair Trade is by its very nature person-centered. When we make the conscious choice to purchase Fair Trade items, we are putting the values of Catholic social teaching into action, and working to realize our vision of economic justice. The resources below can help you explore how Catholic social teaching relates to fair trade in more detail.