Catholic Social Teachings Introduction to Unit 2 Catholic Social Teachings
What Are Social Teachings Connection to Human flourishing Social Teachings are not unique to Catholicism Catholicism has a particular metaphysical outlook on Social Teachings Greek Eudaemoic meaning conducive to happiness or well-being
Catholicism's Outlook God Return to God
Catholicism's Outlook God (Creator) Creation Humanity Culture Church/People of God
Human Flourishing “Humans created in the image of God to become in God’s likeness” (Irenaeous of Lyons) Divine-human companionship Become children of God (John 1:12) Endowed with reason, to act freely (Thomist influence) Icon of Irenaeous of Lyons
Human Flourishing Challenged Human is a creature (Finite) Always in the process of becoming God is completeness and perfection Two natures: transcendence (spirit) and corporeal (flesh) Sin to deny the transcendental
Church and her Teachings Church has a role to teach how humans how to flourish Must consider both corporeal and transcendental Consider social-worldly-context Politics, economics, social norms of the day important to consider
What is an Encyclical? From the Latin encyclicus meaning circular Pastoral Letter by the Pope to the entire Church Teach on matters of doctrine (teachings), morals or discipline, or offer commentaries on current issues
Encyclicals Formal title is first few words of Official text (Usually the Latin version) Encyclicals are not Ex Cathedra pronouncements ie. Not infallible teachings Are authoritative though Second highest authoritative teaching Highest authoritative are Apostolic Consitutions
Catholic Constitutions Dei Verbum Lumen Gentium Gaudium et Spes Sacrosanctum Concilium Fidei Depositum
Context of Rerum Novarum
Promulgation May 1891 Pope Leo XIII Response to problems in the 19th century
Industrial Boom Capitalism replacing feudalism Rapid Industrial growth Technological innovations Sources of income Foreign Trade
Image features strike breakers descending one workers protesting. Abominable Living Conditions Labour Wars Formation of Unions Strike Breakers Image features strike breakers descending one workers protesting.
Marxism Proletariat Working class becoming bigger Rise up through a Revolution Overthrow Bourgeoisie No need for politics, only Proletariat will exist
Pope Pius IX Embraced technology as a young Pope Views changed after 1848 Prisoner of Vatican Vatican I: 1867-1870 Rejection of modernity Pope becomes closed off from world
Pope Leo XIII Born Vincenzo Luigi Pecci Love of poetry Studied law and Aquinas Ambassador for Vatican Elected Pope in 1878 Responded to worldly problems with Thomist theology