Clases Doctrina Social de la Iglesia

1. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church

2. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
A VOICE OF SOCIAL CONSCIENCE
• In every age, Catholics present Christ to the world through
works of justice and charity

3. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
A VOICE OF SOCIAL CONSCIENCE (continued)
• St. Basil: 4th Century bishop in Caesarea
– At the time, Christianity’s role in society was not clear
– There were wars at the empire’s borders, and natural disasters and
famine had reduced many to poverty; Basil’s task was immense
– He organized a system to bring food to the needy, often giving of his
own money and supplies
– Basil constructed a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a school for
beggars to teach them a trade, a hostel for poor travelers, and a
hospital

4. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
A VOICE OF SOCIAL CONSCIENCE (continued)
• The complex of buildings was
vast, so the citizens of Caesarea
called it “The New City,” or simply
the Basileidas, “Basil’s Place”
• Basil’s deeds provided a great
example for new Christians and
those considering conversion
• Basil was involved in working out
the theory and practice of the first
acts of the Church in building
massive public works, something
that is quite common today

5. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
MAGISTERIUM
• The Magisterium
– The Church’s living teaching office
– Interprets Scripture and Tradition
– Ensures fidelity to Apostles’ teaching in matters of faith and morals
– Interpretation entrusted to the Pope and the bishops in union with him
– Interprets Revelation (which ended with the Apostles) as it applies to
the state of the world
– Serves, guards, and interprets the Word of God
• Catholic Social Doctrine has, in the last Century, become more
important as radical changes threw society into upheaval

6. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS
• The Protestant Reformation destroyed Europe’s Christian unity
– It weakened the bonds within societies
– It caused the later overthrowing of aristocracies and monarchies
• Societies crumbled from within as their members revolted against
established authority

7. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS (continued)
• Industrial Revolution—the comprehensive change in social economy
and industry brought about by advances in technology
– It began with improved efficiency in the methods of mining
– Led to the increased availability of metals and energy sources, such as coal
– Increase of powered machinery, which could be used for mass production
– Entire professions became obsolete, replaced by automated means
– People moved from the country to the cities
– Men, women, and children worked outside the home for 12 or more hours
per day
– This changed views of work, home, and family

8. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS (continued)
• Philosophers and activists
complained about the
injustices created and urged
people to help change the
systems
– New revolutionary ideologies:
socialism, communism,
anarchism
– Some activists used violent
means to promote change—civil
unrest, terrorism, repression

9. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS (continued)
• Karl Marx believed that democracy (the ability of ordinary
people) was not capable of creating an orderly, just society
– Suggested that “bloody revolution” would lead to a socialist
government; one where the state controls production and its means,
distributing everything equally
– Believed that this society would then lead to a stateless and voluntary
workers’ paradise
– These beliefs became known as Marxism, or communism
• Highly destructive to society and human rights
• Fundamentally atheistic; suppresses religion and freedom of conscience

10. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
RESPONDING TO REVOLUTIONS
• In the late 19th century, the world was still changing
– There were many opportunities for advancement as well as
abuse
– There was only one reliable source of authority that transcended
nations and ideologies—the Church
• Saints, institutional charities, and religious orders provided the
Church’s response to social revolutions
• Bishops such as Bishop von Ketteler, Cardinal Gibbons, and Bishop
Pecci all advocated the Church during this time
• Bishop Pecci was elected Pope in 1878, taking the name Leo the XIII

11. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE LEO XIII & RERUM NOVARUM
• Pope Leo XIII’s reign, 1878-1903, was one of the longest
pontificates
– He was an industrious teacher, with a lively intellect and holy
ambitions
– He issued 85 encyclicals in 25 years
• Used to catechize, promote devotions, and direct the course of
education and philosophy
• Often focused on social issues—marriage and family, socialism,
slavery, education, religious freedom, human liberty, and the power
of the state

12. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE LEO XIII & RERUM NOVARUM (continued)
• Rerum Novarum – issued 1891
• Often called the first of the
great documents of modern
Catholic social doctrine
• Title means “Of New Things”

13. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE LEO XIII & RERUM NOVARUM (continued)
• Addressed the complex social problems that had arisen with the
changes in society
– Discussed poverty and unfair treatment of the working class
– Growing gap between the wealthy and the poor
– Poverty affects family life and morals
– Advocated labor unions
– Denounced both laissez-faire capitalism and communism
– Affirmed the right to private property
– Detailed the rights and duties of workers and employers
– Explained the role of the state
• Important document in Catholic history
– Called the “Magna Carta” of Catholic social teaching

14. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
BUILDING ON RERUM NOVARUM:
THE SOCIAL ENCYCLICALS
• Rerum Novarum served as a charter of principles that would
inform and guide all future Catholic social doctrine
• In addition to the encyclicals, there is a vast body of papal
documents on Catholic Social teaching in the past century
• The next slide includes a short list of the major social
encyclicals which marked critical moments in the development
of Catholic social doctrine

15. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE TITLE OF ENCYCLICAL DATE
Pius XI Quadragesimo Anno 1931
John XXIII
Mater et Magistra
Pacem in Terris
1961
1963
Paul VI Populorum Progressio 1967
John Paul II
Laborem Exercens
Solicitudo Rei Socialis
Centesimus Annus
Evangelium Vitae
1981
1987
1991
1995
Benedict XVI
Deus Caritas Est
Caritas in Varitate
2005
2009

16. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE PIUS XI, QUADRAGESIMA ANNO
• Encyclical appeared exactly forty
years after Rerum Novarum
• Written during the worldwide
economic depression
(the Great Depression)
• Gave an update on the progress of
communism and socialism, as well
as the other issues that were
discussed in Rerum Novarum

17. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
QUADRAGESIMA ANNO (continued)
• Pius XI echoed Leo’s critique of
communism and unrestrained
capitalism
– “No one can be at the same time
a sincere Catholic and a true
socialist”
– Socialism recognizes humanity’s
social nature but reduces the
meaning of life to “material
advantage alone”

18. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
QUADRAGESIMA ANNO (continued)
• Provided moral guidelines for governments as well as for
individuals
– Advised against too much government control of businesses
– Advised against laissez-faire governments that did nothing to end
the abuse of workers
– Advised social reformers to seek justice based on charity

19. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN XXIII, MATER ET MAGISTRA
• Mater et Magistra, Latin for “Mother and teacher,” published in
1961; 70 years since Rerum Novarum
• Revisited the teachings of Rerum Novarum, considering many “new
things” in intervening years
– New technology
– Space exploration
– Weapons of mass destruction
– New development of communism; “the workers’ paradise”
– Imbalance of wealth in the world
– Agricultural problems
– The nonsensical theory of “overpopulation”
– Family and marriage in society

20. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN XXIII, PACEM IN TERRIS
• Pacem in Terris (“Peace on
Earth”), published in 1963,
during the Cold War between
the US and Soviet Union
• Addressed the fear of nuclear
warfare
– Lasting peace can only be
achieved through obedience of
the natural law
– Truth, justice, and dignity cannot
be separated from God

21. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN XXIII, PACEM IN TERRIS (continued)
• Discussed human rights and
duties
– God is the meaning of life, not
the state
– State exists to serve
individuals and the common
good
– The authority of the
conscience is higher than the
authority of the state
– Unjust and/or immoral laws
are not binding
• Principles of peace and
justice extend to
relationships between
nations
– Nations are created equal
• No weaker nations should be
exploited
• The first encyclical to be
addressed to all people, not
only Catholics

22. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE PAUL VI,
POPULORUM PROGRESSIO
• Populorum Progressio means “On the Development of People,
published in 1967
• Addressed relations between nations
– Increasing disparity between rich and poor nations
• Disrupted balance of the world
– Human society is ill
• Individuals and nations are ceasing to have a common bond
– Called on the wealthy to assist the poor
• Put aside pride and profit motive, and rather embrace “universal
brotherhood”

23. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN PAUL II,
LABOREM EXERCENS
• Laborem Exercens means,
“On Human Work,”
published 1981, 90 years
since Rerum Novarum

24. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN PAUL II,
LABOREM EXERCENS (continued)
• Summarizes the development of social doctrine since Rerum
Novarum
– Discusses the nature and dignity of human work
• God told Adam to “subdue the earth”
• Communism and economic liberalism/laissez-faire capitalism both
fail to comprehend the true meaning of work
– Labor is valued exclusively in only materialistic and economic
terms
• Compares our vocation in work to Jesus as a carpenter
– Workers are urged to consider that they imitate Christ as they
labor and also participate in Christ’s work of redemption

25. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN PAUL II, SOLLICITUDO REI SOCIALIS
• Published in 1987, means “On Social Concerns,” built on
Populorum Progressio
• Defends Pope Paul VI’s statements from Populorum Progressio
• Saint John Paul II was critical of society’s progress in the
previous twenty years
– Many small, poor countries are neglected, exploited, or enslaved by
debt
– Spread of racist and eugenic programs of abortion and contraception to
“control” population growth
• Implores more fortunate nations to help the less fortunate and
to protect peace and human dignity

26. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN PAUL II, CENTESIMUS ANNUS
• Published in 1991; 100 years since Rerum Novarum
• Stated that history proved that Communism is a destructive
ideology
• Two years earlier, the Soviet empire had crumbled peacefully
• Warned once more against economic liberalism
• Celebration of a century of Catholic social doctrine and
prophetic teaching

27. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SAINT JOHN PAUL II, EVANGELIUM VITAE
• Published in 1995, means “The
Gospel of Life”
• Identified a vast international
“conspiracy against life”
• Condemned the “culture of death,”
which promotes abortion,
euthanasia, assisted suicide,
contraception, sterilization, and the
death penalty
• Saint John Paul II summoned
Christians to replace the culture of
death with a “civilization of love”

28. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE BENEDICT XVI, DEUS CARITAS EST
• Published 2005, means “God is
Love”
• Described different forms of love
– Charity
• Highest form of love
– Christian Charity
• “a manifestation of Trinitarian love”
• Urged Christians to form their
consciences and take an active part
in the political process, always
seeking social justice

29. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
POPE BENEDICT XVI, CARITAS IN VERITATE
• Published in 2009, means “Love in Truth”
• An appreciation and renewed application of Pope Paul VI’s
Populorum Progressio
• Adapted the arguments of Populorum Progressio to fit the changes
in geopolitics and technology
• Clarified that the Magisterium does not claim competence in
economics, sociology, or government
• Benedict hoped rather to equip field professionals with solid moral
principles
• Addressed hunger, the plight of migrants, the abuse of
biotechnology
• Spoke against the “unregulated exploitation of the earth’s
resources”

30. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL,
GAUDIUM ET SPES
• During this council (1962-1965),
social doctrine came to the
forefront in many of its documents
• The most comprehensive
statement of social concern was
the Pastoral Constitution on the
Church in the Modern World:
Gaudium et Specs, means “Joy and
Hope”

31. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL,
GAUDIUM ET SPES (continued)
• Called on Catholics to read the “signs of the times” in light of
the Gospel
– Rapid technological and social changes
– Increased atheism
– Enhanced health and culture
– Disruption of family and community life
• Document offers a coherent framework for understanding
freedom, justice, and peace
• Presents ways to respect human dignity

32. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
COMMON CONCERNS
• There are several subjects that are consistently discussed in
Papal documents
– Moral law is necessary
• It provides the foundation for all social teaching
– accounts for man’s duties and consequent rights
– God is the source of all civil authority
• Man does not confer authority upon himself
• Authority flows from God to all just governments and laws

33. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
COMMON CONCERNS (continued)
– Man is not only perfected by private
goods such as food and shelter but by
“common goods”
• “Common goods,” such as peace
and truth, come about through life
with others in community
– Promotion of the fundamental rights of
the person
– Prosperity, or the development of the
spiritual and temporal goods of society
– The peace and security of its members

34. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
EFFORTS OF THE U.S. HIERARCHY
• Catholics in the early 20th century put Catholic social doctrine to
work in daily life
• In 1917, US Bishops established the National Catholic War Council
– Dealt with “all Catholic activities” related to WWI
• After the war ended, it became the National Catholic Welfare
Council (NCWC)
• The NCWC promoted the interests of Catholics in education,
legislation, social action, lay initiatives, and press and publicity, as
well as aiding immigrants in their new lives
• The NCWC changed its name again before becoming the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, that continues its work today

35. CHAPTER 3 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
CONCLUSION
• Since Rerum Novarum, the Church has
addressed the “social question” with
increasing clarity, frequency, and volume
• Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
– Published in 1993; brought together
authoritative teachings (in an abbreviated and
orderly way)
• Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the
Church
– Published in 2004; is a more complete account
of the Church’s teachings