Pope John Paul II

Sollicitudo Rei 1987

Socialis
Social Concern -

Sollicitudo Rei
Socialis
• is an encyclical promulgated by
Pope John Paul II on 30
December 1987, on the
twentieth anniversary of
Populorum Progressio by
updating the Church’s teaching
on the “development of
peoples” and changes
Populorum Progressio

- was inspired by the Church’s desire to “development is the new name

help the millions of people who lived in a for peace”
state of poverty and underdevelopment. another mission of the Church.
Life and Dignity of
the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that
the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral
vision for society.
Pope John Paul II cited the United Nation’s promulgation of the
Declaration of Human Rights is an example of progress in this
area - individuals, nations, and peoples, along with there specific
cultural identity, are all sensitive to the preservation of their
heritage
Option for the Poor
and Vulnerable
John Paul II notes that one of the guidelines in forming the
Church’s social doctrine is the option or (preference) for the
poor. Christian charity has long recognized the importance
and primacy of this option which inspires us to help the
hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical
care and, above all, those without hope of a better future.
 Development is not a straightforward, automatic process –
while some nations have achieved superdevelopment, others
remained in a state of underdevelopment.  A society reaches
a state of full development, explained the Pope, when it is
able to sustain itself at the level of true vocation of men and
women without denying economic requirements.
 Development must respect one’s religion and way of life, while also
promoting human rights.  The Church is obligated, by her vocation, to
relieve the misery of the suffering and work within a hierarchy of
values to provide the basic needs of humanity.