Catholic Social Teaching

Rerum Novarum
The Condition of Labour

In brief, it addressed challenges such as Industrialisation, urbanisation, poverty and introduced the issues of "Family wage"; workers' rights.

Issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, this encyclical letter explores the conditions of the working classes in the wake of the industrial revolution. He sets out the rights and duties of workers, employers and governments.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xi...

Quadragesimo Anno
The Reconstruction of the Social Order

In brief, it addressed challenges such as the Great Depression, Communism, and fascist dictatorships and introduced the solution of subsidiarity as a guide to government interventions.

Pope Pius XI issued this encyclical in 1931 to mark the fortieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum. He rejected both unfettered liberalism, and the totalitarian forms of government that were emerging in the Post War period, introducing the principle of subsidiarity into Catholic teaching. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_...

Mater et Magistra
Christianity and Social Progress

In brief, it addressed the issue of technological advancement and introduced the idea of global justice between rich and poor nations

Pope John XXIII issued this encyclical letter on Christianity and social progress in 1961. He saw poverty and inequality as international questions requiring the solidarity of the whole human family. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-...

Pacem in Terris
Peace on Earth

In brief, it addressed challenges such as the Arms race, and the threat of nuclear war and introduced a philosophy of human rights and social responsibilities

This 1963 encyclical letter from Pope John XXIII focuses on issues of peace in a nuclear age. Addressed to all people of good will, it reflects in detail on human rights. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-...

Gaudium et Spes
Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World

In brief, it discussed younger generations questioning traditional values and explained how the Church must scrutinize the external "signs of the times"

The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World was issued by the Second Vatican Council in 1965. Its presentation of the role of the Church in the world marked a major development in the understanding of the place of work for justice in the mission of the Church. http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents...

Populorum Progressio
The Development of Peoples

In brief, it addressed the challenge of the widening gap between rich and poor nations and introduced the notion of "Development" as a new word for peace

Pope Paul VI's 1967 encyclical introduced the idea of integral human development. Noting the disparities in wealth between countries as the process of decolonization progressed, it declared development to be the "new name for peace".
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_...

Octogesima Adveniens
A Call to Action on the 80th Anniversary of Rerum Novarum

In brief, it addressed the challenge of how urbanisation marginalises vast multitudes and how Lay Catholics must focus on political action to combat injustices

In this 1971 Apostolic Letter Pope Paul VI reflects on the challenges of post-industrial society and the inadequacy of ideologies to address them.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-v...

Justicia in Mundo
Justice in the World

In brief, it addressed the challenge of how structural injustices and oppression inspire liberation movements and how "Justice ... is a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the gospel"

The 1971 Synod of Bishops issued this statement on justice in the world. They proclaim work for the promotion of justice to be an essential part of the mission of the Church.
http://www.osjspm.org/majordoc_justicia_in_mundo_offical_test.aspx

Evangelii Nuntiandi
Evangelization in the Modern World

In brief, it addressed the cultural problems of atheism, secularism, consumerism and reaffirmed how the salvation promised by Jesus offers liberation from all oppression

Pope Paul VI's 1974 Apostolic Exhortation on evangelization in the modern world remains a landmark document in the understanding of the dimensions of the mission of the Church. It affirms the witness of life as the first means of evangelization. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/h...

Laborem Exercens
On Human Work

In brief, it addressed how Capitalism and Communism treat workers as mere instruments of production and why work is the key to the "social question" and to human dignity

Pope John Paul II issued this encyclical on human labour to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum. It is notable for its well developed spirituality and philosophy of work.
http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/_INDEX.HTM

Sollicitudo rei Socialis
On Social Concern

In brief, it discussed the persistent underdevelopment in the world, and the division of the world into blocs, whilst explaining how "Structures of sin" are responsible for global injustices

Pope John Paul II's 1987 encyclical on social concerns marks the twentieth anniversary of Populorum Progressio. It examines the nature of development and economic progress and emphasizes the virtue of solidarity.
http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/_INDEX.HTM

Centesimus Annus
On the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum

In brief, it addressed the Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and how Catholics should combat consumeristic greed in new "knowledge economy"

Pope John Paul II's last major social encyclical was issued in 1991 to mark the one hundredth anniversary of Rerum Novarum. It reflects on the collapse of the Soviet Union and the role of culture in authentic human development. http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/_INDEX.HTM

Caritas in Veritate
Charity/Love in Truth

In brief, it draws on the riches of Catholic Social Thought, particularly that of Pope Paul VI, and proposes a new approach to integral human and economic development based on the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity.

Pope Benedict XVI employs a profound anthropological and theological approach and the multiplicity and relevance of the themes treated provide the occasion for a wide gamut of analyses. Despite the crisis that the world is going through, the encyclical offers a message of hope: Humanity has a mission and the means to transform the world and progress in justice and love in human relations, even in the social and economic field. If development has to be at the service of man and all men, we cannot escape the deepest question: Who is this man to be served. The horizon expands to themes that were not touched upon in previous social encyclicals: the defense of life, the vision of sexuality and the family, themes which the Pope once again goes courageously against the current of widespread if not dominant cultural tendencies today.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_...

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