Common Sense on Social Justice

In this episode Michael returns to his discussion of the encyclical Quadragesimo Anno by Pope Pius XI, which examines the effect of Rerum Novarum on the world.

In this episode, Michael reflects on the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46.

Released 40 years after Rerum Novarum, the encyclical of Pope Pius XI Quadragesimo Anno takes a look back at the effect of Rerum Novarum on the world, and reflects on what is a just economy.

What should we do with excessive wages? What should we do when we make more than enough money to live? Pope Pius XI discusses this in part 4 of Quadragesimo Anno. He discusses what God expects of us with excess capital, what not do with it and how society should approach it. Plus, he discusses the evil that exists with wealth being tied up in the hands of a few, leaving the working class to fight over scraps.

Today we look into part 3 of the encyclical, Quadragesimo Anno by Pope Pius XI. The Pope gets into the discussion of private property, spring boarding off of Pope Leo XIII’s discussion in Rerum Novarum. He discusses the necessity and right to own property and what boundaries should exist around this in its’ various particulars.

Today, we move into the second part of our study of Quadragesimo Anno. Pope Pius I discusses the role of the Church in the discussion of social justice, the authority that the Church has on Earth, and what the boundaries are that the Church should observe when relating to the Nations.

Today we begin a study of Quadragesimo Anno. Released 40 years after Rerum Novarum, this encyclical takes a look back at the effect of Rerum Novarum on the world, and moves us into the present and the future for the Church on issues of social justice, especially in regard to justice for the labor class. It also looks into what a just economy looks like.

Today, we conclude our study of Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII. We enjoy a grand finale of a conclusion that will inspire us to get busy standing for justice for the working class. But first, one subject the Pope covers in detail is the right to form worker’s unions according to Catholic principles, how to develop a Catholic association, and that associations have the right to operate without interference from the State.

Today, in our continued study of Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, the Pope discusses just wages. Many complain of unjust wages and want a just wage. But, what is a just wage? The Pope discusses it here, and we will do a deep dive into clearly defining this important aspect of a just society.

In this coninuation of our ongoing series exploring Rerum Novarum, we take a closer look at the goal of mankind to acheive eternal salvation and the relation this goal has to our life at work and in society.