Catholic Social Teaching

1. Catholic Social Teaching IS 220

2. Taken from Our Best Kept Secret by • Henriot S.J., DeBerri, S.J., and Schultheis S.J.

3. Some essay titles… • 1891 - The condition of labor • 1931 - The reconstruction of the social order • 1963 - Peace on earth • 1967 - The development of peoples • 1971 - Justice in the world • 1981 - On human labor • 1986 - Economic justice for all What are these??

4. History and Origins • Popes issue encyclicals on important issues • They are not focused on religion, but are used widely • The first encyclical was issued in 1891 • Since then there have been several • They are designed as pastoral letters

5. Some important ones • The Condition of Labor: Pope Leo XIII, 1891 • The Challenge of Peace: “Peace on Earth” 1963 Pope John XXIII • Economic Justice for all: CST and the U.S. Economy: “Progress of People” 1967 • “Justice in the World” 1971 US Bishops • “On Human Labor” 1971 Pope John Paul II • On Human Work: Pope John Paul II, 1981

6. Why? • Shows historical link to contemporary issues • Shows use of documents in US and Developing World

7. Evolving Social Message • 1891 Rerum Novarum (The Condition of Labor) – Pope Leo XIII • 3 factors of economic life: workers, property and state • Just and equitable interrelationship of 3 • Known as Magna Carta of human and social order

8. Evolving … • 1931 Pius XI – Quadragesimo Anno – The Reconstruction of the Social Order • Written during the great depression • Condemned capitalism and unregulated competition, but also Communism for promoting class struggle. • Pointed out the positive role of government in promoting good of all people

9. continued • 1961 Pope John XXIII Mater et Magistra – Christianity and Social Progress • 1963 Pacem in Terris – Peace on earth • Both are social letters, guide to Christians and policy makers to address the gap between rich and poor nations, and threats to world peace • Stressed right to work, and to just wage • Confirmed UN Declaration of Human Rights

10. Gathering of World Church • 1962 Vatican Council sensitive to diversity • World threatened by Nuclear War • 1965 Gaudium et Spes – The Church in the Modern World • Reaffirmed church role in the structure of human community • On religious freedom

11. After Vatican II • Church acknowledged despite its universality, it lacks immediate solutions to complex problems, or universally valid societal solutions • 1967 Paul VI – Populorum Progressio – The Development of Peoples • Response to world's poor and hungry • Addressed dimensions of global injustice • Appealed to rich and poor nations to work together in spirit of solidarity to establish order

12. continued • 1971 a Call to Action – Paul VI • Acknowledged difficulties in establishing social order; encouraged Christian communities to analyze and develop local solutions; be hearers and doers • Bishops’ Synod called for action on behalf of justice and liberation from every oppression

13. More … • 1975 evangelization and the modern world • Work is incomplete without attention to: • Human rights, family life, peace, justice • Liberation must be proclaimed • 1979 John Paul II Redemptor Hominis • Challenged disrespect of the environment and uncritical acceptance of technological advance

14. more • 1981 On Human Work – John Paul II • Priority of labor over capital is central to just society • Criticized “economism” which would reduce humans to mere instruments of production • Emphasized greater worldwide solidarity for justice • Critique of liberal capitalism and warned against collectivist socialism

15. more • 1990 Redemptoris Missio – John Paul II • Take courageous action against corruption of political or economic power, in order to serve the “poorest of the poor” • 1991 Centessimus Annus – 100 years since 1st encyclical • Emphasized justice as in Latin American Bishops’ letter (1979), 1981 African Bishops, and 1974 Asian Bishops • Stressed speaking out for justice • Dialogue with the poor on justice and oppression

16. more • Peace, justice and politics • 1979 US bishops on racism • 1983 on peace • 1986 on economic justice • 1986 on mission • All based on CST

17. more • 1979 racism is an “evil that violates human dignity” • 1983 John XXIII controversial because it challenged Reagan’s defense policy of nuclear deterrence and SDI • Emphasized just war theory, and non-violence • Stirred public debate over defense policies

18. more • 1986 encyclical addressed unemployment, poverty, agriculture, and global interdependence • Also option for the poor was restated by linking peace and justice; plight of 3rd world development harmed by superpower influence

19. Shifting Social Approach • Problems and issues in 1891 were different from those in 1991 • Encyclicals reflect those shifting issues • Assault on political apathy • Commitment to humanization of life • Commitment to world justice • Preferential option for the poor

20. Assault on political apathy • Rejects “private” admonition (as in WWII) • Labels politics as a vocation aimed at transformation of society

21. Commitment to humanization of life • Each person’s labor continues God’s work • Develop respect for autonomy for secular world

22. Commitment to world justice • Urged justice between all levels • Most important for rich towards poor nations

23. Preferential option for the poor • See God’s face in those of suffering and wounded • Identify with the poor • Originated with Latin American Bishops • Had influence on economic pastoral letter

24. 14 Major Lessons • Link religious and social dimensions of life • Dignity of the human person • Political and economic rights • Option for the poor • Link of love and justice • Promotion of the common good • Subsidiarity

25. 7 more • Political participation • Economic justice • Stewardship • Solidarity • Promotion of peace • Work • Liberation