DOCUMENTS ON THE SOCIAL TEACHING OF THE CHURCH

1891 Rerum Novarum (New Things) Leo XIII
Deals mainly with Europe in the context of the industrial revolution: different forms of working exploitation communism state has right to intervene in interests of workers right to private property right to organise into workers associations

1931 QUADRAGESIMO ANNO (Forty years) Pius XI
Primarily concerned with industrialised world in the context of the Depression Property ownership for all State responsible for the formation of the social order It is here we find the first definition of Subsidiarity :"it is an injustice, a grave evil and a disturbance of right order, for a larger and higher association to arrogate to itself functions which can be performed efficiently by smaller and lower societies." 79

1961 MATER ET MAGISTRA (Mother and Teacher) John XXIII
Written on the 70th anniversary of RN at the start of UN first decade for development and colonialism is drawing to an end. Key topics : agriculture justice between nations importance of laity

1963 PACEM IN TERRIS (Peace on Earth) John XXIII
Written shortly after the Cuban Missile Crisis and erection of Berlin Wall Affirms Human rights

1965 GAUDIUM ET SPES (Joy and Hope) Second Vatican Council
After Lumen Gentium which says the church is the people of God. It is a Pastoral constitution from the Pastoral Council The joys and hope, the griefs and sorrows of the people of our time, especially of the poor and those who are in any way inflicted, these are the concerns of the followers of Christ Read the signs of the times

1967 POPULORUM PROGRESSIO (Development of Peoples) Paul VI.
Outlines how the Church has a role in development: liberalism is questioned responsibility for future generations concerted action based on clear vision wage war on misery equity in trade gospel of the poor spiritual impetus world fund pursue order ordained by God artisans of our own destiny progress of nations integral to gospel obedience to God’s creative power

1971 OCTOGESIMA ADVENIENS (Eighty years) Paul VI
An Apostolic letter to Cardinal Roy indicating that local churches respond to specific situations Urbanisation Right of all to participate in society Call to action "Let each one examine himself to see what he has done up to now, and what he ought to do. It is not enough to recall principles, state intentions, point to crying injustices and utter prophetic denunciations; these words will lack real weight unless they are accompanied by a livelier awareness of personal responsibility and by effective action." (48) Move from economics to politics,… politics are a demanding manner of living the Christian commitment to the service of others.46

1971 JUSTITIA IN MUNDO (Justice in the World) Synod of Bishops
From bishops from round the world in Synod. This included the Bishops from Latin America who had recently, gathered in Medellin said "We, the bishops, wish to come closer to the poor in sincerity and brotherhood, making ourselves accessible to them. We ought to sharpen the awareness of our duty of solidarity with the poor to which charity leads us. This solidarity means that we make ours their problems and their struglles ... This has to be concretised in criticism of injustice and oppression, in the struggle against the intolerable situation in which a poor person oftern has to tolerate." Together in Synod, the bishops from round the world affirmed Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the gospel

1975 EVANGELII NUNTIANDI (Evangelization in the Modern World) Apostolic Exhortation, Paul VI
Written at the request of the Synod of Bishops on the 10th anniversary of Vat II salvation that includes liberation from all that oppresses not dissociate the plan of creation from the plan of redemption "evangelisation involves an explicit message… about the rights and duties of every human being, about family life..about life in society, about international life, peace, justice and development - a message especially energetic today about liberation"

1981 LABOREM EXERCENS (On Human Work) John Paul II
Written for the ninetieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum Spirituality of work Property has a social mortgage Human person is the subject of work, not its object Reaffirms the right to work

1987 SOLLICITUDO REI SOCIALIS (On Social Concern) John Paul II
Reaffirms the continuity of the social doctrine as well as its constant renewal. imperialism poverty discrimination north/south divide structures of sin atomic weapons bad social structures unemployment arms trade urbanisation refugees NEED collaboration interdependence participatory govt just economic systems option for the poor stand beside the poor change spiritual attitude conquer sin new life style solidarity literacy education social mortgage on private property commitment to international outlook

1991 CENTESIMUS ANNUS (One Hundred Years) John Paul II
Written in the context of the collapse of Communism Affirms right to a just wage "In our time there exists another form of ownership which is becoming no less important than land, the possession of know-how and skill." Critique of socialism and capitalism with human dignity as the criteria

1994 TERTIO MILLENNIO ADVENIENTE
...commitment to justice and peace in a world like ours, ... is a necessary condition for the celebration of the Jubilee...

1996 THE COMMON GOOD Bishops of England and Wales
Reflection of a national bishops' conference on the social dimension of the Gospel prior to a national election

2001 NOVO MILLENINNIO INEUNTE 'at the beginning of the new millennium'
Not formally social teaaching, but including some aspects of the social gospel

2005 DEUS CARITAS EST

2009 CARITAS IN VERITATE
Charity in Truth is the principle driving force behind the authentic development of every person and all of humanity