The Catholic Church's teachings on morals and social justice not only have a right to be heard in the public square, but help create a better society for all, Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl has said during an address at the American Enterprise Institute.

"The foundation, the unfolding of our way of life - the way of life we have recognized from our country's very beginning - has always recognized that good public policy that results in a good and just society and virtuous citizens ultimately must have some religious antecedents," Cardinal Wuerl said. "There are moral imperatives not created by us. We don't get to create right and wrong."