INTRODUCTION
shema
yisra’el Adonai ’elohenu Adonai ’ehad. Duet. 6:4
Hear, O Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is
one.
An opinion: elohenu is the God of nature, the
philosophers – e.g. Aristotle’s uncaused
cause, Stephen Hawking’s big bang and final crunch. elohenu
retaliates with anger and requires
sacrifice.
Adonai reveals a presence; Adonai is the Father – Mother of all;
Abba of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets.
Adonai supports the struggle
for justice; he advocates and acts for the poor. Adonai is truly only one.
The model, the
documents and comments listed are based on notes taken at a seminar in the
summer of 2003 given by Dr. Christine Firer Hinze of Fordham University,
formerly of Marquette University and recognized expert on the work of labor
priest, John Ryan. (1865-1945) The seminar was one of many graciously given
by Dr. Hinze for interns and other labor associates of the Faith Community for
Worker Justice in Milwaukee. Dr. Hinze also
participated in the annual ‘Labor in the Pulpits Program.’ The New Sanctuary Movement of Voces de la
Frontera now sponsors the same program, ‘Predicators de Justicia’ for the May 1st
Labor Day since the Faith Community for Worker Justice of the Milwaukee Labor
Council folded.
Some additions
and deletions were made to Dr. Hinze’s notes.
As the discussion continues, more changes will be made. Notable points are listed, but it is
recognized that such abbreviations do not really represent the richness and
complexity of the Encyclicals. October, 2011, revised March, 2014.
EARLY DOCUMENTS
Rerum Novarum, 1891, Pope Leo XIII: Workers’ right to organize. #36
Program for Social Reconstruction, 1919, U.S. Bishops: Value international & interdenominational cooperation- also, equal pay for equal work for women, right to a living wage including health care.
Quadragesimo Anno, 1931, Pope Pius XI: Principle of subsidiarity. #80
TRANSITION PERIOD
Social Documents, 194I –1952, of Pope Pius XII.
Whitsuntide Message, 1941: Pvt. property has social responsibilities.
Xmas Message, Democracy & Peace, 1943: “Corporate” democracy OK. Distrust of “masses.”
To the Representatives of the International Union of Catholic Employers Associations, 1949: Reaffirm Q.A. Nationalization of assets, with limits, to protect common good.
To the International Congress of Social Studies, 1950: Balance of production withconsumption a key issue - free mkt. not the answer. Workers ancient feudal bonds similar to modern wage slavery.
To the Italian Catholic Association of - Owner Managers, 1952: Principle of Solidarity.
Letter to 39th “Social Week” Dijon, France, 1952: Free market does not produce distributive justice.
Radio Address to Austrian Catholics, 1952: Overcome class struggle by organic coordination of employer & employee.
Exul Familia, 1952: Right to migrate.
Xmas Message, 1952: Unrestricted production is not the answer to unemployment. Advocates international solidarity.
Letter of Mons. Montini (future Pope Paul V I) to Catholic Social Week in Turin, Italy, 1952: Addresses worker alienation. Advocates worker, employer solidarity.
Mater et Magistra, 1961, Pope John XXIII: Social duty of private property, Cf. Pius XII. Part 1, 41-43. Values collective bargaining. Part 2, 91.
Pacem in Terris, 1963, Pope John XXIII: Dignity of the person is the basis of human rights & duties. The first Encyclical directed to all men in hope of peace through justice, part 1, B. Right to migrate confirmed, part 1, 25. Right to medical care, Part 1, 11.
DRAMATIC CHANGE “AGGIORNAMIENTO” VATICAN II CRITICAL, YET OPEN TO THE IDEAS OF THE MODERN WORLD
1962 – 1965 Council Fathers with Pope Paul VI
Unitatis Redintegratio. (On Ecumenism),1964: Advocates cooperation with “separated brethren” on social issues. C. II,12
Lumen Gentium, (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church),1964: The Spirit dwells in the people. C. I, 4.
Gaudium et Spes, (Pastoral Constitution on the Church),1965: Labor right. to organize organize & freely elect leaders. Right to strike. (vs. fascist Spain & Franco) #68
Dignitatis Humanae, (Freedom of Conscience) 1965: In all activity man is bound to follow his own conscience. #3
Nostra Aetate, (Relation to Non Christians),1965: Although hostilities in past - make common cause for social justice. #2
Dei Verbum, (Dogmatic Constitution on Devine Revelation), 1965: God can be known by all through reason. #1.
POST VATICAN II
Populorum Progressio, (On
the Development of Peoples),1967, Paul VI: Neo-colonialism a concern. Free
trade is fair only if it is subject to the demands of social justice. Part II, 52–58.
Medellin, Colombia Documents, 1968,
Latin American Bishops: Foundation of Liberation Theology – Political and
economic structural change advocated.
Octogesimo Adveniens,
(Eightieth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum, 1971, Paul VI: Women have equal rights to participate
in cultural, economic and political life. #13
Puebla, Mexico Documents, 1979, Latin American Bishops:
Visiting Pope J.P. II endorses Liberation Theology.
Laborem Exercens, (On Work),1981, John Paul II: Proper
subject of “work” – man #5 & #6. Solidarity of workers #8. Labor is prior to capital #12. Labor Unions indispensable #20
Economic Justice for All, 1986,
U.S. R.C. Bishops: Use of sociological data.
Solicitudo Rei Socialis, (On Social Concern). 1987, John Paul II: In
Solidarity, overcome structures of sin for true liberation. VII,
46
Centesimus Annus,
(One hundredth Anniversary of Rerum
Novarum),1991, John Paul II: The
church values the democratic system in so far as it insures the participation
of citizens in making political choices.
Chapter 5, #46. Roman Catholic
Social Teaching pertains to the church’s evangelizing mission and is an
essential part of the Christian message…’ C.I, 5.
Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey
of Hope, 2003, U.S. and Mexican Bishops. Persons have the right to migrate to find
work and support themselves and their families.
Caritas in Veritate,
(Selfless Love in Truth), 2009, Benedict XVI: Trade union organizations experience greater difficulty in carrying out
their task of representing the interests of workers, partly because Governments,
for reasons of economic utility, often
limit the freedom or the negotiating power of labour unions. Hence traditional networks of solidarity have
more and more obstacles to overcome. Section 25.
Towards Reforming the International Financial
and Monetary System in Context of Global Public Authority.
2011, Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace, Rome.
Creation of world public authority to regulate financial markets that “cause inequities and distortion of capitalist development.”
Evangelii Gaudium,
Pope Francis, November 24, 2013. “In
this context, some people continue to defend the trickle – down theories which
assume that economic growth, encouraged by the free market, will inevitably
succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed
by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those
wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the economic system.”
C.II, 54