Godsplaining Is Rerum Novarum the Answer to Today's Labor Crisis?
Jan 15, 2026
Exploring the relevance of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about the balance between capitalism and socialism. They delve into the impacts of industrialization on workers' dignity and the importance of community involvement. Addressing property rights, they emphasize stewardship over ownership and discuss the Church's stance on private property. Practical advice for young adults includes local service and community support. It's a thoughtful reflection on today's labor challenges and the moral responsibilities we hold.
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Church Speaks Into Economic Life
- Catholic social teaching addresses economic and political life as part of gospel care for human flourishing.
- Rerum Novarum consciously responds to 19th-century social changes like industrialization and worker alienation.
Industrialization Created A New Worker Crisis
- Rerum Novarum responds to the 'worker question' created by the Industrial Revolution and new wage labor structures.
- The document emphasizes human dignity against alienation and exploitation in modern work.
Private Property As Stewardship
- Catholic tradition defends private property while insisting goods have a universal social destination.
- Ownership serves stewardship, better care of resources, and social peace when rightly ordered.
