JECS001 CST Documents

• Industrial Revolution (18th to 19th Century)

  • Rural societies in Europe and America became industrial and urban.
  • Prior to this, manufacturing was done in people's homes using hand tools or basic machines.
  • This marked a shift to powered, special-purpose machinery, factories, and mass production.
  • Iron, textile, and steam engines for improved transportation, communication, and banking
  • This revolution resulted to an improvement in the standard of living for the poor and working class.
• Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, 1891


  Context: The Industrial Revolution leads to the exploitation of workers.

  • The first comprehensive document.
  • Defends workers' rights (work, property, wage, and associations) based on natural law.
• Social Encyclical

  The consistent traditional moral teachings of the church to the social and economic challenges of the current day.
• The economic and social system in which nearly all property and resources are collectively owned by a classless society and not by individual citizens.
• Social regulations were to be regulated on the fairest of all principles:

  • according to ability; and
  • according to each's needs.

  *Differences between manual and intellectual labor and between rural and urban life were to disappear, opening up the way for unlimited development of human potential.*
• Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 1931

  Context: Fortieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII); Great Depression underway; dictatorships growing in Europe.

  • Reform greedy capitalist systems to which they have become slaves.
  • Communism is dangerous because of violence and the abolishment of private property.
  • Labor and capital need each other.
  • Workers need just wages to acquire private property.
  • International economic cooperation urged.
  • The principle of “subsidiarity (a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order)” was introduced.
• John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961


  Context: Science and technology advance in developed nations, while millions live in poverty in the 3rd World.

  • The disparity between rich and poor nations must be addressed.
  • Arms race contributes to poverty.
  • Economic imbalances cause threat to peace.
  • Rich nations must help poor ones while respecting culture.
  • Nations are interdependent and need to cooperate.
  • Catholics should know social teaching and be active.
• The Berlin Wall remains one of the most powerful and enduring symbols of the Cold War.
• John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 1963

  Context: Cold War; erection of the Berlin Wall (1961); and Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).

  • Peace is ensured through social rights and responsibilities.
  • Recognition of women's rights.
  • The arms race (military superiority war) is against justice, reason, and human dignity.
  • UN needs to be strengthened.
• Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes, 1965


  Context: Continuation of the Cold War and Arms Race.

  • Church is not separated, but intimately intertwined with the world.
  • Assess rapid cultural changes and technological advances through the light of the Gospel.
  • Warm and optimistic tone = reflection of pastoral concern for faith, family, and the transcendent destiny of man.
• Paul VI, Octogesima Adveniens, 1971

  Context: Recession; women's rights and civil rights in the US; and Vietnam War protest.

  • Urbanization presented the "new poor" – elderly, handicapped, and marginalized.
  • Discrimination on race, color, sex, and religion.
  • Christians are called to engage in political processes to address injustices by applying Gospel principles.
• Synod of Bishops, Justice in the World, 1971


  Context: Increased focus on the liberation, especially in Latin America.

  • Structural injustices must be met by liberation rooted in justice (God is the liberator of the oppressed).
  • Church must be a witness for justice (speak for the oppressed).
• Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975


  Context: Atheistic secularism, consumerism, and consciousness of evil oppression.

  • Witness of evangelization should permeate judgment, values, interests, thoughts, and lifestyle; including challenging injustice and preaching liberation.
• John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981


  Context: Many are unemployed and migrant workers are exploited; capitalists and communist systems exploit workers.

  • Work is part of man’s vocation and dignity, participation in God’s creative work; and spiritual dimension.
  • Decent wages, rights, and benefits must be assured.
  • Work must serve the family, with special consideration for working mothers.
  • The disabled can participate in the dignity of work.
• U.S. Bishops, Economic Justice for All, 1986


  Context: 33M poor, 20-30M needy, and 8M unemployed (in the US).

  • Inequalities should be examined.
  • The poor must have the most urgent claim on conscience.
  • Employment systems, tax, and welfare systems must be examined in the US.
  • Church should models justice in wages, management, and investment.
• John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987


  Context: The world economy is in flux (both rich and poor).

  • Critiques economy gap (should be united).
  • World cooperation and solidarity.
  • Critiques of consumerism and waste that hurt developing nations.
• John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 1991


  Context: 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII) and the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

  • Critiques fundamental error of communism – atheistic view of humanity.
  • Qualified support to the free market (freedom of human person) for utilizing resources and responding to needs.
  • Warns against consumerism, as well as making the capitalist system an all-encompassing ideology.
• John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 1995


  Context: Culture of death (abortion, euthanasia, and death penalty).

  • Threats to human life and biblical prohibitions against killing.
  • Speaks out against abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.
  • Culture of life embracing truth, life, and love.
• Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 2005


  Context: First Encyclical of Benedict XVI; in the midst of a culture of relativism (there's no absolute truth; different people can have different views about what's moral and immoral).

  • The encyclical is in two parts: (1) the true meaning of love of how human love is raised by divine love and (2) the Church's irreplaceable vocation to carry the charity of Christ into a world in need.
• Francis, Laodatu Si, 2015

  Context: A climate crisis threatens humans and the

  environment.

  • Calls the ecological crises moral and spiritual challenges, demanding profound interior conversion.
  • Exhorts the one human family to work together to reduce the consumption of non-renewal resources and for wealthy nations to assist poor ones.
  • Called to a change in lifestyle and consumption.
• Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 2020

  Context: COVID-19 (disparities and loss of life).

  • "Dark clouds over a closed world" prevent true fraternity from causing immense suffering.
  • Engage in a "better kind of politics" that prioritizes social charity, dialogue, and pursuit of the common good.