RERUM NOVARUM
An Encyclical by Pope Leo XII
An encyclical by Pope Leo XII released in 1891. It
is the social encyclicals and it was issued at a
time of immense social change in Europe,
marked by the awakening of democracy.
A rise in industrialization and the
influence of
capitalism, and the popular appeal of
communism among working people.
This encyclical was engaged by Pope Leo
because of his concern on rise of
communism, in which it
claimed to offer worker a socio-economic
and
political alternative to the alliance
between
aristocratic privilege and the capital
Industrial
The Three Major Themes in the Encyclical
The Balance Between Labor and
Capital
“It is no easy matter to define the relative and mutual duties of the rich
and or the poor, of capital and of labor, and the danger lies in this,
that crafty
allegations are intent on making use of these differences of opinion to
pervert mens judgments to stir up the people to revolt.”
Workers Duties
• Not to damage the employers property or resort to violence.
• To perform conscientiously the work they have freely agreed to do.
• Not have anything to do with men of principles.
Employers’ Duties
• Respecting the dignity of their workers, not treating them as
indentured
labor or simply a factor of production.
• Not to overtax their workers
• To give everyone what is just and not to reduce wages by fraud or
undue pressure.
The Common
Good
Pope Leo made it clear that people have the right to private
ownership, but
must balance that right against the idea of the common good.
• The principle that it is one thing to have a right to the possession of money.
• Whoever has received from the divine bounty, a large share of temporal blessings has
received them for the purpose of using them for the perfecting of his own nature.
• All citizens, without exception, can and must contribute to that common good.
Also in this encyclical, Pope Leo expresses what has become
known as the
preferential option for the poor: the teaching that the poor, the
marginalized
and the vulnerable have a special call on our charity.
• When there is question of defending the rights of individuals, the poor has a claim to
special consideration.
• The Church’s desire is that for the poor to rise above poverty and better their
condition
in life.
The Role of the State
To maintain the balance between competing and often unequal
forces.
• It lies in the power of a ruler to benefit every class in the State, and amongst the
rest to promote to the utmost the interests of the poor.
In supporting the individuals and the families to grow and develop.
• The State must not absorb the individual or the family.
Fundamental to the call of this encyclical is the God-given dignity of
the human person.
• Key to this dignity is the availability of work.
Principles of Catholic Teaching
Life and Dignity of a Human Person
PROMOTION SYMBOL VIOLATION
A mother carrying her daughter The human person is a unified An adult smoking while child is
across Session Road being the specie of life and dignity. near leading to second-hand
ray of hope of the child. smoking, demoting life.
Common Good
PROMOTION SYMBOL VIOLATION
A picture of traffic officer/ A picture of 2 policewomen A photo of cars almost blocking
enforcer ensuring the safety ensuring public safety and the pedestrian lane, making
and free flow of traffic on the reducing people feel unsafe and scared
public the fear and incidence of crime while crossing the road.
roads. in the community.
Call to Family, Community, and Participatio
n
VIOLATION PROMOTION SYMBOL
“No man is an island.” A picture of a family celebration A group of students in a uniform
the Eucharist. showing belongingness in a
group.
Rights and Responsibilities
PROMOTION VIOLATION SYMBOL
We have the responsibility to Most of the time we don’t give All of us have the right to enjoy
maintain its cleanliness enough care of it. and fully utilize the public
and orderliness. spaces allotted for us.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
SYMBOL VIOLATION PROMOTION
The city’s incapability of A picture of garbage can not A picture to give more emphasis
garbage management screams being utilized properly. on the current garbage situation
poverty. in Baguio City.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Work
er
SYMBOL PROMOTION VIOLATION
A barber doing his daily haircuts An honest saleslady selling her In some cases, people see men
to his client. vegetables to the public. with rugged clothes as others.
Solidarity
PROMOTION SYMBOL VIOLATION
Men cooperating and unloading A person contributing to Ego demotes solidarity.
the truck of fruits. the division of labor.
Care for God's Creation
PROMOTION VIOLATION SYMBOL
A picture of a woman caring for A picture of a damaged trash An employee of the university
the plants. bins. cleaning up near the fountain.
Subsidiarity
VIOLATION
This is only a part of the
community taking care of
their waste.
PROMOTION
A picture to give
more awareness to
SYMBOL local decisions and
Changes.
Garbage management
being handled by the
community.
Universal Destination of Goods
VIOLATION
Some NFA rice are
being added to other
varieties of rice which
leads to injustice. SYMBOL
A picture of a fruit
stand.
PROMOTION
A picture of goods in a
market place being
sold to consumers.
