Timothy Gordon Rules for Retrogrades Podcast PART 1: Explaining Rerum Novarum
May 12, 2025
Dive into the historic impact of Rerum Novarum, a landmark encyclical shaping Catholic social thought. Discover the principle of subsidiarity and its call for limited government intervention, while grappling with misconceptions about socialism and property rights. Delve into the philosophical contributions of Aristotle and Aquinas, and explore the moral responsibilities of employers and employees. The discussion also touches on family authority and the role of religion in society, alongside reflections on traditional versus modern worship practices.
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Rerum Novarum's Foundational Role
- Rerum Novarum is the first and greatest social encyclical, foundational to Catholic social teaching.
- Quadragesimo Anno and Centesimus Annus follow as important developments 40 and 100 years later, respectively.
Private Property & Subsidiarity
- Pope Leo XIII elevated private property from a natural law adjunct to a natural right.
- He also introduced the principle of subsidiarity, which limits higher authorities in governing lower ones.
Subsidiarity Explained
- Subsidiarity means that higher authority should only handle tasks unmanageable by lower bodies.
- It grounds Catholic social order by emphasizing family and local governance over centralized control.
