Matters of Life and Death The new Pope, Catholic Social Teaching and a second industrial revolution
Jul 9, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Luke Arredondo, a Catholic theologian and expert on Pope Leo XIII, explores the new Pope Leo XIV's nod to his namesake's impactful teachings. They dive into the revolutionary implications of Catholic social teaching, linking it to today's technological era marked by AI. Arredondo highlights how the Church's pro-worker principles from the 1890s remain relevant in addressing modern labor issues and the ethical challenges posed by globalization and digital advancements.
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Leo XIII's Teaching Shift
- Pope Leo XIII's papacy marked a significant shift towards using encyclicals for teaching, producing 86 letters that spread his ideas widely.
- His focus laid foundations for Catholic Social Teaching, highlighting the importance of written doctrine for the Church's influence.
Nature of Catholic Social Teaching
- Catholic social teaching addresses moral questions in changing social contexts without prescribing rigid solutions.
- It focuses on principles like just wages, balancing divine revelation with economic realities and social justice.
Rerum Novarum's Balanced Response
- Rerum Novarum arose as a response to the social and economic upheaval caused by the Industrial Revolution.
- The document balances dignity and justice for laborers while acknowledging property rights, navigating a middle path beyond class conflict.
