for educational purposes

1. QUADRAGESIMO ANNO

2. Descriptions
 First sequel to Rerum Novarum, thus a tradition setting
document.
 Promulgated in 1931 by Pope Pius XI
 English Translation: After Forty years, or The
Reconstruction of the Social order
 Its title literally means “On the Fortieth Anniversary”
 Written in a political, social and economic language and
more accessible to the contemporary readers
 explains more clearly the dangers of the free market
economy
 Also condemns socialism, in its communistic form.

3. Descriptions
 Supports labor organizations, and a kind of
syndicalism at a certain point of a document.
 Subsidiarity principle was used for the first time.
 It was variously accused as socialist and fascist.
Hence, it became once controversial document

4. Historical Events during Qudragesimo Anno
 World War I – happened from 1914- 1918, one of the
deadliest conflict in history which affect the powerful
countries around the globe such as United States, Italy
Russia, Ottoman Empire, Germany and Austro-
Hungarian Empire.
 The commencement of communism in Russia and the
formation of the U.S.S.R. in 1922.

5. Historical Events during Qudragesimo Anno
 The Historical Great Depression 1929-1941- the
economic fall in most countries which affect the
systems of employment and developments of
countries, that was one of the main topics of the QA.
 Unemployment and Poverty Arouse- due to the
conflicts, unemployment and loss of jobs became
common.

6. Conditions and reasons why Pope Pius XI
issued this encyclical:
 He wrote this encyclical to address the ethical
challenges facing workers, employers, the Church and
the state as a result of end of the industrial revolution
and the onset of the Great Depression.
 to expand on the Church's response to challenging
economic times, to advocate for Christian morals, and
to respond to the rise of socialism as an economic
system.

7. Conditions why Pope Pius XI issued this
encyclical:
 to emphasize the role that associations of workers
can play in order to help address these injustices.
 to emphasize that indeed, humans have this right to
property and affirmed in this encyclical, but
Quadragesimo Anno discussed the distinction
between right to property and the usage of property.

8. About Pope Pius XI
 Original name: Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti
 Born: May 31, 1857 in Desio, Lombardy, Austrian
Empire [now in Italy]
 Died: February 10, 1939, Rome, Italy
 Pope from 1922 until his death in 1939
 Papal Motto: “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (“The
peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ”)

9. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Pius XI begins Quadragesimo Anno by honoring and
summarizing Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum (1891). He recalls
that Leo faced the Industrial Revolution, which
contributed to inordinate wealth for a few and wretched
working conditions for the majority.
 Leo critiqued both economic liberalism and socialism as
found in the late nineteenth century, and he advised away
from class struggle and toward recognition of mutual
complementariness. Many applauded Leo’s reflections,
but some remained critical. Before defending Leo from his
critics, Pius first highlights the benefits that had flowed
from Leo’s foundational encyclical.

10. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Pius writes that Rerum Novarum had encouraged
many Christian leaders to reflect on social issues
within a Christian framework. He states that Leo’s
encyclical had also won acceptance outside of the
Catholic Church as evidenced by nations that
instituted new labor laws. Further, Pius explains that
although many were leery of worker associations prior
to Rerum Novarum, many clergy and laypersons have
since sacrificed much to provide organized support
for underprivileged workers.

11. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 After summarizing Rerum Novarum, Pius clarifies and updates
four issues that Leo had addressed: church authority, private
property, just wages, and worker associations. First, Pius
discusses the responsibility of the church to address social
issues. Whereas Leo sought to defend the right of church
leaders to speak on social issues, Pius’s writing style indicates
that the church’s authority to speak on such issues is assumed
rather then debated. Pius explains that while church leaders do
not have authority to speak on matters of scientific technique,
they do have authority to offer guidance on matters related to
the moral law. Because economic issues overlap with the moral
law, Pius writes that he has the responsibility to address the
relevant issues.

12. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Pius then discusses private property. Benefiting from the
forty years of discussion that had followed Rerum
Novarum, Pius writes that private property has a twofold
character: individual and collective. Workers should have
a right to attain private property, but the fruits of the
land ought to be distributed for the benefit of the
common good. The state should maintain the right to
private property and should have limited authority to
moderate the distribution of wealth to curb radical
abuses. Pius maintains that the wealthy should be
encouraged to distribute their wealth for the common
good. Accordingly, Pius promotes investments aimed at
producing jobs.

13. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Pius’ discussion of the just distribution of wealth provides
a transition to his discussion of just wages. He indicates
that many factors ought to be considered in determining
the appropriate wage for employees. He gives four
considerations particular attention: the needs of the
worker and his family, the condition of the business, the
public economic good, and the relation of wages to those
of other workers as well as the goods being sold. Next,
Pius explains that without intermediary organizations like
worker associations, the state is left to deal directly with
individuals. As a result, the voice of impoverished
individuals often remains unheard and the
responsibilities of the state become overburdening.

14. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Pius promotes the subsidiary function, a principle
that states that larger organizations should allow
smaller associations to accomplish those tasks they
are competent to complete. Pius argues that with
intermediate associations, the gap between social
classes will be reduced, the needs of individuals will
be more easily addressed, and state leaders will be
freed from performing small and distracting tasks. In
particular, Pius encourages the formation of
associations among those who work in the same or
similar occupations.

15. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Pius then provides an updated look at the manifestations
of economic liberalism and socialism as found in 1931. He
explains that while economic liberalism should not be
condemned in itself, he argues that this economic
structure leads to devastating consequences when
business leaders are given unlimited license. Such a license
contributes to three conflicts: the struggle among business
leaders for economic supremacy; fight to gain control of
the state; and conflict between states. To avoid these
conflicts, Pius encourages limited government
intervention and the promotion of the virtues of justice
and charity.

16. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Pius explains that socialism had divided into two forms.
The form known as communism promoted unrelenting
class warfare and the elimination of private property. The
more moderate form of socialism rejected violence and
somewhat modified both class struggle and the denial of
private property. In the end, however, Pius concludes that
any social structure that can be appropriately named
socialism is incompatible with the teachings of the
Catholic Church. He defends this claim by explaining that
socialism is materialistic and employs force to the point
of violating human freedom.

17. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 Finally, Pius calls for Christian reform. He proposes
that the foundations of social evils are the disordered
passions that result from sin. He decries the
selfishness of greedy business leaders and the
dangerous and compromising working situations that
are offered to women and children. Further, he raises
concerns about those employees whose working
situations separate them from their families and do
not allow them to spend their Sundays in dedication
to God

18. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 In the final paragraphs, Pius highlights a claim he
repeats throughout his work, the need for the virtues
of charity and justice. He also encourages the virtues
of moderation and perseverance, and he praises those
who have selflessly developed worker associations.
Moreover, he asks priests to train workers so that they
may be sources of Christian light in the workplace.
Lastly, Pius reminds all Christians of their need for
God’s grace and the importance of following God’s
plan.

19. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 A major Christian theme that Pius XI highlights
in Quadragesimo Anno is the importance of tradition. Pius
recognizes that his insights have largely benefited
from Rerum Novarum and the forty years of discussion
that have resulted from Leo’s foundational work. Rather
than writing as if he were the sole source of his reflections,
Pius, through his format, acknowledges his debt to the
tradition that has preceded him. The first quarter of the
work is a summary of Leo’s work, and the remainder of
Pius’s encyclical provides clarifications and updates of
issues discussed by Leo.

20. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 By using Rerum Novarum as a foundation, Pius
solidifies certain principles in the tradition of Christian
social ethics. He explains that church leaders have the
responsibility to speak on moral issues. He clearly
explains that private property has both an individual
and communal character. He gives fuller
consideration to matters central to the determination
of a just wage. He also maintains the importance of
intermediary associations and formulates the
principle of subsidiary function, which later becomes
a central principle of the tradition.

21. Summary of Quadragesimo Anno
 In addition, Pius engages in the church’s ongoing dialogue
with economic liberalism and socialism. He critiques
unbridled liberal economies. He also proposes that
socialism, as he defines it, is in itself contrary to the
Christian faith. Finally, Pius recalls the ultimate destiny of
humankind and the priority of remaining in God’s grace
over the accumulation of material wealth. His reflections
engage the social structures of his time and encourage
further clarification of Christian social principles. Pius’
decision to explicitly acknowledge the social tradition that
precedes him is repeated by many who follow him as the
bishop of Rome.

22. Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq7jx4u-tVo
https://www.cacatholic.org/article/quadragesimo-anno-fortieth-
year#:~:text=Quadragesimo%20Anno%20was%20written%20by%20Pope
%20Pius%20XI,revolution%20and%20the%20onset%20of%20the%20Grea
t%20Depression.
https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-
xi_enc_19310515_quadragesimo-anno.html
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-XI
https://www.enotes.com/topics/quadragesimo-anno