<\/p>\n
The Origin of Catholic Social Teaching:
The Church\u2019s Best Kept Secret<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
A Time of Revolution<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"How then shall we live?\" (Tolstoy, 1882)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe world was in trouble when Tolstoy asked that question. Radical changes were taking place in politics, economics and society. The Industrial Revolution was at its height. Major dislocations of pastoral people to squalid industrial centers disrupted the way of life millions had known for generations.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Pope](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Leo_XIII-cropped-.jpg\")
The origin of Catholic social teaching in the modern world is Pope Leo XIII who responded to the Industrial Revolution and immorality of his time with Rerum Novarum.<\/p><\/div>\n
Mass migrations from Europe were splitting families. The writings of Karl Marx had taken root in widespread communist movements. \"A traditional society was passing away and another beginning to be formed \u2013 one which brought the hope of new freedoms but also the threat of new forms of injustice and servitude.\" Pope St. John Paul II, 4<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Origin of Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
At the height of this clash Pope Leo XIII intervened. In his landmark encyclical of 1891, Rerum Novarum<\/i><\/a><\/span>, the Pope, and the Church with him, confronted a society torn by dispute and addressed it in pointed terms. This is where our story begins. We invite you to join us as we unfold this wonderful patrimony of Church teaching \u2013 Catholic Social Doctrine. In a sense Leo\u2019s letter gave the Church \u201ccitizenship status\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Church recognized her right and duty to address the changing realities of public life and to suggest genuine solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n\"In the face of a conflict which set man against man\u201d Leo, for the first time, both established and firmly defended the Church\u2019s moral authority to promote justice in public life and, by so doing, \u201ccreated a lasting paradigm for the Church\u201d. <\/span>Pope St. John Paul II, 5<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Pius XI stated: \u201cLeo's Encyclical has proved itself the Magna Charta upon which all Christian activity in the social field ought to be based, as on a foundation.\" Quadragesimo Anno, 14<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nLike Tolstoy\u2019s novels, Catholic social teaching has a long and rich story. It is both old, in that it presents timeless values, and new, as it constantly reflects the world around us \u2013 as it is. So our story will take some time to unfold. But, just like sticking with a great, long novel, you will find the journey worth it.<\/span><\/p>\nThis series will tell the story that answers the question posed by Count Tolstoy, \u201cHow, then, shall we live our life?\u201d We will learn that our Church has done a lot of thinking and reflection on the macro issues: <\/span><\/p>\nWhat form of government and economic system is best for promoting human freedom; why must faith be part of the public square; what are the pathologies destroying our culture and how do we fix them; how should we address the issues of developing countries; what are the dangers of a \u201cwelfare state\u201d; among many other vexing issues facing modern societies.<\/span><\/p>\nOf equal importance, in upcoming articles we will explore the three, key principles underlying evaluation of all political, economic and cultural issues (human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity) and learn how we can apply them. Knowledge of these principles, in combination with our faith, will provide the foundation for us to address current social questions such as the reform of health care and immigration.<\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, this Church teaching is so important and comprehensive that in his 1999 letter to the Church in America Pope John Paul II called on lay Catholic leaders to form their consciences on the tenets of the Church\u2019s social doctrine. Ecclesia in America, 67<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nNow, As to Why This is \u201c<\/span><\/strong>the Church's Best Kept Secret\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Most Catholics are largely unaware of Catholic social doctrine.<\/span><\/p>\nEven if we attend Mass regularly and are active in our parishes we know little of this teaching. With the press of so many topics to teach our priests, our Church\u2019s social doctrine is often left out of seminary curricula. With the simultaneous drop in formal Catholic school education it becomes awfully hard to be aware of the tenets of our social doctrine, let alone be able to form one\u2019s conscience on it.<\/span><\/p>\nAnticipating that some may wish to \u2018jump right in\u2019 to explore more right here on our website.<\/span><\/p>\nWe look forward to this journey of exploration into the Church\u2019s best kept secret: Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n10 Questions About Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy Are There 3 Key Principles in Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n5 Surprising Things from Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAre there 7 \u201cthemes\u201d of Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching vs. Secular Social Theory<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nFaith Formation in Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Compass for Young Generations<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Catholic Social Teaching<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
A Time of Revolution<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"How then shall we live?\" (Tolstoy, 1882)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe world was in trouble when Tolstoy asked that question. Radical changes were taking place in politics, economics and society. The Industrial Revolution was at its height. Major dislocations of pastoral people to squalid industrial centers disrupted the way of life millions had known for generations.<\/span><\/p>\nThe origin of Catholic social teaching in the modern world is Pope Leo XIII who responded to the Industrial Revolution and immorality of his time with Rerum Novarum.<\/p><\/div>\n
Mass migrations from Europe were splitting families. The writings of Karl Marx had taken root in widespread communist movements. \"A traditional society was passing away and another beginning to be formed \u2013 one which brought the hope of new freedoms but also the threat of new forms of injustice and servitude.\" Pope St. John Paul II, 4<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Origin of Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
At the height of this clash Pope Leo XIII intervened. In his landmark encyclical of 1891, Rerum Novarum<\/i><\/a><\/span>, the Pope, and the Church with him, confronted a society torn by dispute and addressed it in pointed terms. This is where our story begins. We invite you to join us as we unfold this wonderful patrimony of Church teaching \u2013 Catholic Social Doctrine. In a sense Leo\u2019s letter gave the Church \u201ccitizenship status\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Church recognized her right and duty to address the changing realities of public life and to suggest genuine solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n\"In the face of a conflict which set man against man\u201d Leo, for the first time, both established and firmly defended the Church\u2019s moral authority to promote justice in public life and, by so doing, \u201ccreated a lasting paradigm for the Church\u201d. <\/span>Pope St. John Paul II, 5<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Pius XI stated: \u201cLeo's Encyclical has proved itself the Magna Charta upon which all Christian activity in the social field ought to be based, as on a foundation.\" Quadragesimo Anno, 14<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nLike Tolstoy\u2019s novels, Catholic social teaching has a long and rich story. It is both old, in that it presents timeless values, and new, as it constantly reflects the world around us \u2013 as it is. So our story will take some time to unfold. But, just like sticking with a great, long novel, you will find the journey worth it.<\/span><\/p>\nThis series will tell the story that answers the question posed by Count Tolstoy, \u201cHow, then, shall we live our life?\u201d We will learn that our Church has done a lot of thinking and reflection on the macro issues: <\/span><\/p>\nWhat form of government and economic system is best for promoting human freedom; why must faith be part of the public square; what are the pathologies destroying our culture and how do we fix them; how should we address the issues of developing countries; what are the dangers of a \u201cwelfare state\u201d; among many other vexing issues facing modern societies.<\/span><\/p>\nOf equal importance, in upcoming articles we will explore the three, key principles underlying evaluation of all political, economic and cultural issues (human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity) and learn how we can apply them. Knowledge of these principles, in combination with our faith, will provide the foundation for us to address current social questions such as the reform of health care and immigration.<\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, this Church teaching is so important and comprehensive that in his 1999 letter to the Church in America Pope John Paul II called on lay Catholic leaders to form their consciences on the tenets of the Church\u2019s social doctrine. Ecclesia in America, 67<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nNow, As to Why This is \u201c<\/span><\/strong>the Church's Best Kept Secret\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Most Catholics are largely unaware of Catholic social doctrine.<\/span><\/p>\nEven if we attend Mass regularly and are active in our parishes we know little of this teaching. With the press of so many topics to teach our priests, our Church\u2019s social doctrine is often left out of seminary curricula. With the simultaneous drop in formal Catholic school education it becomes awfully hard to be aware of the tenets of our social doctrine, let alone be able to form one\u2019s conscience on it.<\/span><\/p>\nAnticipating that some may wish to \u2018jump right in\u2019 to explore more right here on our website.<\/span><\/p>\nWe look forward to this journey of exploration into the Church\u2019s best kept secret: Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n10 Questions About Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy Are There 3 Key Principles in Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n5 Surprising Things from Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAre there 7 \u201cthemes\u201d of Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching vs. Secular Social Theory<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nFaith Formation in Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Compass for Young Generations<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Catholic Social Teaching<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"How then shall we live?\" (Tolstoy, 1882)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The world was in trouble when Tolstoy asked that question. Radical changes were taking place in politics, economics and society. The Industrial Revolution was at its height. Major dislocations of pastoral people to squalid industrial centers disrupted the way of life millions had known for generations.<\/span><\/p>\n The origin of Catholic social teaching in the modern world is Pope Leo XIII who responded to the Industrial Revolution and immorality of his time with Rerum Novarum.<\/p><\/div>\n Mass migrations from Europe were splitting families. The writings of Karl Marx had taken root in widespread communist movements. \"A traditional society was passing away and another beginning to be formed \u2013 one which brought the hope of new freedoms but also the threat of new forms of injustice and servitude.\" Pope St. John Paul II, 4<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Church recognized her right and duty to address the changing realities of public life and to suggest genuine solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n \"In the face of a conflict which set man against man\u201d Leo, for the first time, both established and firmly defended the Church\u2019s moral authority to promote justice in public life and, by so doing, \u201ccreated a lasting paradigm for the Church\u201d. <\/span>Pope St. John Paul II, 5<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Pius XI stated: \u201cLeo's Encyclical has proved itself the Magna Charta upon which all Christian activity in the social field ought to be based, as on a foundation.\" Quadragesimo Anno, 14<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Like Tolstoy\u2019s novels, Catholic social teaching has a long and rich story. It is both old, in that it presents timeless values, and new, as it constantly reflects the world around us \u2013 as it is. So our story will take some time to unfold. But, just like sticking with a great, long novel, you will find the journey worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n This series will tell the story that answers the question posed by Count Tolstoy, \u201cHow, then, shall we live our life?\u201d We will learn that our Church has done a lot of thinking and reflection on the macro issues: <\/span><\/p>\n What form of government and economic system is best for promoting human freedom; why must faith be part of the public square; what are the pathologies destroying our culture and how do we fix them; how should we address the issues of developing countries; what are the dangers of a \u201cwelfare state\u201d; among many other vexing issues facing modern societies.<\/span><\/p>\n Of equal importance, in upcoming articles we will explore the three, key principles underlying evaluation of all political, economic and cultural issues (human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity) and learn how we can apply them. Knowledge of these principles, in combination with our faith, will provide the foundation for us to address current social questions such as the reform of health care and immigration.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, this Church teaching is so important and comprehensive that in his 1999 letter to the Church in America Pope John Paul II called on lay Catholic leaders to form their consciences on the tenets of the Church\u2019s social doctrine. Ecclesia in America, 67<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Even if we attend Mass regularly and are active in our parishes we know little of this teaching. With the press of so many topics to teach our priests, our Church\u2019s social doctrine is often left out of seminary curricula. With the simultaneous drop in formal Catholic school education it becomes awfully hard to be aware of the tenets of our social doctrine, let alone be able to form one\u2019s conscience on it.<\/span><\/p>\n Anticipating that some may wish to \u2018jump right in\u2019 to explore more right here on our website.<\/span><\/p>\n We look forward to this journey of exploration into the Church\u2019s best kept secret: Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n 10 Questions About Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Why Are There 3 Key Principles in Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 5 Surprising Things from Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Are there 7 \u201cthemes\u201d of Catholic Social Teaching?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching vs. Secular Social Theory<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Faith Formation in Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A Compass for Young Generations<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tThe Origin of Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
At the height of this clash Pope Leo XIII intervened. In his landmark encyclical of 1891, Rerum Novarum<\/i><\/a><\/span>, the Pope, and the Church with him, confronted a society torn by dispute and addressed it in pointed terms. This is where our story begins. We invite you to join us as we unfold this wonderful patrimony of Church teaching \u2013 Catholic Social Doctrine. In a sense Leo\u2019s letter gave the Church \u201ccitizenship status\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\nNow, As to Why This is \u201c<\/span><\/strong>the Church's Best Kept Secret\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Most Catholics are largely unaware of Catholic social doctrine.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
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