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Catholic Social Teaching

1891 1931 1961 1963 1965 1967 1971 1971 1979 1981 1988 1991 1995 Rerum Novarum Quadragesimo Anno Mother and Teacher Peace on Earth Church in the Modern World The Development of Peoples A Call to Action Justice in the World Redeemer of Humanity On Human Work On Social Concern The One Hundredth Year The Gospel of Life Leo XIII Pius XI John XXIII John XXIII Vatican II Paul VI Paul VI Synod of Bishops John Paul II John Paul II John Paul II John Paul II John Paul II

Major Themes from Catholic Social Teaching


a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. Dignity of the Human person Community and common good Rights and Responsibilities Option for the Poor Dignity of Work Solidarity Stewardship of Creation The principle of subsidiarity

CBCPs 5 Areas of Conversion


1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A commitment to the common good above personal and family interest A commitment to honesty and integrity in public service An understanding of the destination of the goods of the earth/ right to property A conversion from the consumerist mentality A profound understanding to the value of human work: Christian humanism of the worker and Christian solidarity

Seatwork
Christians must adopt the attitude of critical collaboration with the legitimate authorities in the attainment of justice. What does this mean? What are the 5 areas of conversion among Filipinos as proposed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines? Cite concrete implications of each area of conversion.

Rerum Novarum
On the Condition of the Working Class

Introduction
The terrible exploitation and poverty of European and North American workers at the end of 19th C. moved Pope Leo XIII to publish the encyclical in May 15, 1891. It took more than a year to complete.

Pope Leo XIII


After the death of Pope Pius IX in 1878, Leo XIII was elected Pope at the age of 68. He was mainly concerned with political problems for many years (eg., On Socialism, 1878, On Christian Constitution of States 1885; and On Human Liberty, 1888). He tirelessly encouraged Catholics to become active and loyal citizens of their countries.

Key Themes in Rerum Novarum


A. The Situation of the Poor and Workers B. Rejection of the Socialist Solution to Poverty C. The Three-Fold Solution

A. The Situation of the Poor and Workers


Decline of public morality - led to exploitation of workers who were not protected by laws or associations. Greed of men and the production process as a whole - led to a situation where the very few rich enslaved the masses of workers who did not own the means of production

B. Rejection of the Socialist Solution to Poverty


RN strongly condemns the Socialist solution of ending private property RN defends the rights of workers to possess goods through their hard work

C. The Three-Fold Solution


1. The Role of the Church a. RN insists that the Church has the right to speak out on social issues because social matters affect religion and morality. (#24)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


1. The Role of the Church b. Through the use of Gospel principles, the Church can help reconcile and unite classes. (#25, 27, 33, 41)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


1. The Role of the Church c. The Church can educate people to act justly. (# 40, 41)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


2. The Role of Workers and Employers a. work well, not to damage the property of the employer, and to avoid violence when protecting their own interests (#30)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


2. The Role of Workers and Employers b. Employers and the rich must not treat workers as slaves. RN also urges the rich to give to the poor after their own needs have been met. (#31, 32)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


2. The Role of Workers and Employers c. The most important duty of the employer and the rich is to give the worker his/her just wages. (#32)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


2. The Role of Workers and Employers d. Each needs the other (#28)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


2. The Role of Workers and Employers e. RN also looks at the role of the workers unions. (#75)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


3. The Role of the State a. The state is bound by laws to serve the common good. (#48, 71)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


3. The Role of the State b. The state must also defend and promote the rights of families.

C. The Three-Fold Solution


3. The Role of the State c. Special care must given to the weak and the poor because they do not have the means to protect themselves. (#54)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


3. The Role of the State d. The state must also support the right to private property, and to enable all to possess private property. (#55, 56)

C. The Three-Fold Solution


3. The Role of the State e. The rights of associations/unions and the religious rights of people must also be upheld by the State. (# 72, 73, 75)

Guiding Principles
The ability to reason is part of human nature. (#11,12) Workers have the right to the fruits of their work, but should use them to benefit all. (#14) All people have the right to private property; yet private property must serve the common good. (#2,9,10,15) Men and women should use their possessions to meet the demands of their life. (#36) Laws are to be obeyed only in so far as they

Natural inequalities exist among people, but God has gifted all with equal dignity. (#26) Since all have been created and redeemed by God: divine grace and the goods of nature belong equally to all. (#38) Common good is the end of any society. Therefore, each and everyone has a right to participate in his/her society. (#71)

Therefore, those whom fortune favors are warned that riches do not bring freedom from sorrow and are of no avail for eternal happiness, but rather are obstacles; that the rich should tremble at the threatenings of Jesus Christ - threatenings so unwonted in the mouth of our Lord - and that a most strict account must be given to the Supreme Judge for all we possess.

Conclusion
Through RN, Pope Leo XIII increased the Churchs awareness of the miserable living and working conditions and the unjust wages of workers.

Quadragesimo Anno

Reconstruction of the Social Order

Introduction
40 years after the Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, Pope Pius XI wrote and issued Quadragesimo Anno in 1931)

Outline
Impact of Rerum Novarum on the Church, the State and the employers and employees. Elaboration of social and economic issues A study of changes in modern capitalism and socialism

A. Impact of Rerum Novarum


The Church The Civil Authority Employers and Workers Love and charity reinforce justice. For justice alone remove the cause of social strife, but can never bring about a union of hearts and minds.

B. Elaboration of Economics and Social Issues


1. Rights to property (45-51)
a. Ownership is individual and social when it concerns the common good. b. Individual right cannot be destroyed yet at the same time social obligation cannot be forgotten. c. State defines the duties of ownership

2. Capital and Labor (53-56) a. Labor (workers & wage-earners) b. Capital (employers and owners) c. distribution of wealth to serve the common good

3. Improving the condition of the Proletariat (5961) a. despite the improvements in the Western countries, there was no improvement (workers) in rural areas b. 2 ways: gain property by permission to share of the profits of production : just wage in order to gain moderate ownership

4. A just wage Conditions: a. must be enough for the support of the worker and his/her family b. settling the scale of wages c. opportunities of work for all

5. Reconstruction of the Social Order a. whatever activity done well by small groups should be left alone and not centralized in the state. b. abolish conflicts and promote harmony (vocational) c. economic institutions must be imbued with a spirit of justice.

C. Changes in Socialism
Changes in Capitalism Changes in Socialism - Communism - Socialism

CONCLUSION
There is no possibility of a compromise between Socialism and Christian faith. The chief disorder of modern world is the ruin of souls. Social reconstruction - transformation a. economic life must be inspired by Christian spirit and Gospel principles b. Love and Charity must reinforce justice.

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