Pope Leo XIII
Rerum Novarum Issued by Pope Leo XIII on May 15, 1891, was groundbreaking in addressing the struggles of the working class and societal challenges during the Industrial Revolution.
Pope Leo XIV chose the papal namesake Leo in honor of Leo XIII (1878–1903) whose encyclical Rerum Novarum established modern Catholic social teaching and promoted labor rights. Leo XIII is widely remembered for his concern for social justice and the rights of workers and the poor.
Pope Leo XIII upholds work as both honorable and essential to human life. (Rerum Novarum, 23)
Employers must pay a just wage—and ensure safe working conditions.” (Rerum Novarum, 45)—
Workers, in turn, are called to fulfill their duties with diligence and respect their employers’ property (Rerum Novarum, 20)
Pope Leo XIII emphasizes the Church’s long history of caring for the poor and criticizes efforts to replace its charitable works with state-run welfare systems. . (Rerum Novarum, 30)
REFLECTION
JESUS THE WORKER
Rerum Novarum stresses that all workers, regardless of social status, deserve respect and fair treatment. It calls for an end to exploitation and the unjust hardships placed upon the working class.
Before Jesus’ public life he learned much of his humanity with Joseph in the carpenter shop. What was good enough for Jesus should be good enough for me!
Employers and workers share mutual responsibilities, each owing to the other fairness and respect.
It is important that workers, most of us, be respectful of the goods we are given to work with… that we are good stewards.
The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it Genesis 2:15
We must not put charitable giving off to the state that can impose a lot of restrictions and condition which may create a moral dilemma. We must give . Almsgiving is essential for a Christian.
We have to look together how to be a missionary Church,
building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone
Pope Leo XIV