In the last six issues of the Freedom Magazine we have published excerpts of the encyclical Rerum Novarum (with one last part still to be published), written by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. All excerpts are now put together in a special edition which you can purchase here for £3.
Rerum Novarum was written by Pope Leo XIII in 1891 when a great part of western population was affected by industrialisation after large, widespread land-grabs had taken place in order to set up huge factories that could produce much more products in much less time than traditional trades had hitherto. Along with the industrial revolution came new kinds of disadvantages and inhumane conditions. Pope Leo XIII addresses these issues in his encyclical.
The Latin term Rerum Novarum means Of New Things. Rerum Novarum expresses the late 19th-century Catholic position on social justice, especially in relation to the problems created by the industrial revolution, but many parallels can be drawn to today’s situation.
Several popes of the 20th and 21st centuries have publicized encyclicals with reference to the teaching of Rerum Novarum. Most recently, Leo XIV published his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), which offers moral guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in society. He describes Leo XIII’s document as a milestone in the Church’s teaching.
Rerum Novarum is now available as a special edition magazine for £3, incl. p&p, here.
A Brief History of the Events Leading Up to Rerum Novarum:
Catholic Social Teaching does not develop in a vacuum, but in the context of world history. This is an historical ‘setting’ for the encyclical Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, published in 1891 and considered the watershed of moder CST. (Charles Dygert/YT)
An overview of Rerum Novarum’s response to the problems of unbridled Capitalism and of Communism. (Charles Dygert/YT)
An overview of the central principle of Catholic Social Teaching, the dignity of the human person. (Charles Dygert/YT)
An outline of the arguments that Pope Leo XIII makes for human beings having a natural right to private property. (Charles Dygert/YT)