Modern Catholic Social Documents and Political Economy

Modern Catholic Social Documents and Political Economy PDF

Author: Albino F. Barrera, OP

Publisher: Georgetown University Press

Published: 2001-08-09

Total Pages: 360

ISBN-13: 9781589013742

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As western economies have moved from feudalism to industrialism to the information age, Catholic social thought has kept pace, responding to the economic realities of the day. Linking Catholic social teaching with modern economic theory, Albino F. Barrera examines the changing political economy embedded within the moral theology and social justice documents issued by the Church during the last hundred years. Barrera discusses the evolution of Catholic social teachings, from scholastic thinking on the concept of the "just price" to a modern emphasis on the importance of a living wage. As the conduct of economic life according to traditional custom and common law has given way to institutional and impersonal market forces, these teachings have moved from a preoccupation with personal moral behavior to an intense scrutiny of the structures of society. Amidst these changes, the Church's social documents have sought to address systemic shortcomings as a means of promoting the common good through economic justice. Barrera also looks ahead to the challenges posed by a postindustrial society characterized by a global, knowledge-based economy, arguing that Catholic social thought will likely shift its focus from advocacy of the living wage to demands for greater equality of socioeconomic participation. Written for scholars and students of economics, theology, and political science interested in religious social thought, this book bridges the gap between moral theology and economic theory.

Modern Catholic Social Teaching

Modern Catholic Social Teaching PDF

Author: Joe Holland

Publisher: Paulist Press

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 9780809142255

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The impact of the industrial revolution on the social structures of industrialized nations posed a difficult challenge to the Catholic Church and its Popes. In the struggle for human and economic status, should the Church side with the new working class or with capitalist barons who, along with the old aristocracy, identified themselves as upholders of Christian civilization? In this history of papal social teaching, Joe Holland tells how the popes at first backed the status quo. Then, with the accession of Pope Leo XIII in 1878, a seismic shift took place. Leo's encyclical Rerum novarum was the first authoritative Church voice to declare that laboring people have rights--the right to fair wages, to decent living conditions, the right to organize labor unions and even to strike. Henceforth the notion of civilization, at least for the Church, would be grounded in the lives and aspirations of working people. Modern Catholic Social Teaching traces this historic shift as it played out in the writings of Leo and the popes who followed him: Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XI, and Pius XII. These popes supported Leo's encyclical and even elaborated it as European history experienced the emergen

Modern Catholic Social Teaching

Modern Catholic Social Teaching PDF

Author: Kenneth R. Himes, OFM

Publisher: Georgetown University Press

Published: 2018-01-02

Total Pages: 672

ISBN-13: 1626165157

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Including contributions from twenty-two leading moral theologians, this volume is the most thorough assessment of modern Roman Catholic social teaching available. In addition to interrogations of the major documents, it provides insight into the biblical and philosophical foundations of Catholic social teaching, addresses the doctrinal issues that arise in such a context, and explores the social thought leading up to the "modern" era, which is generally accepted as beginning in 1891 with the publication of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum. The book also includes a review of how Catholic social teaching has been received in the United States and offers an informed look at the shortcomings and questions that future generations must address. This second edition includes revised and updated essays as well as two new commentaries: one on Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical Caritas in Veritate and one on Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si'. An outstanding reference work for anyone interested in studying and understanding the key documents that make up the central corpus of modern Catholic social teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present

Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present PDF

Author: Charles E. Curran

Publisher: Georgetown University Press

Published: 2002-03-30

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 9781589012929

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Charles E. Curran offers the first comprehensive analysis and criticism of the development of modern Catholic social teaching from the perspective of theology, ethics, and church history. Curran studies the methodology and content of the documents of Catholic social teaching, generally understood as comprising twelve papal letters beginning with Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum, two documents from Vatican II, and two pastoral letters of the U.S. bishops. He contends that the fundamental basis for this body of teaching comes from an anthropological perspective that recognizes both the inherent dignity and the social nature of the human person—thus do the church's teachings on political and economic matters chart a middle course between the two extremes of individualism and collectivism. The documents themselves tend to downplay any discontinuities with previous documents, but Curran's systematic analysis reveals the significant historical developments that have occurred over the course of more than a century. Although greatly appreciative of the many strengths of this teaching, Curran also points out the weaknesses and continuing tensions in Catholic social teaching today. Intended for scholars and students of Catholic social ethics, as well as those involved in Catholic social ministry, this volume will also appeal to non-Catholic readers interested in an understanding and evaluation of Catholic social teaching.

The Heart of Catholic Social Teaching

The Heart of Catholic Social Teaching PDF

Author: David Matzko McCarthy

Publisher: Brazos Press

Published: 2009-03

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 158743248X

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Seasoned teachers introduce the Catholic social tradition with distinctive attention to the Bible, liturgy, and the thought of Augustine and Aquinas.

Catholic Social Teaching and Economic Theory

Catholic Social Teaching and Economic Theory PDF

Author: Mary E. Hobgood

Publisher:

Published: 1991-01-01

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 9780877227540

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Drawing upon a lively debate within the field of social theory, Mary E. Hobgood argues that the paradigm conflict between orthodox neoclassical and radical economic models is reflected in Catholic documents that address economic justice. She maintains that dynamics within Catholic teaching are explicable only in terms of this clash of fundamentally opposing perspectives. This study shows how normative values of social justice are always tied to a particular social theory or model of society. When assumptions shift from one model to another, the concrete actions mandated by these justice norms change significantly. Consequently, the Catholic social justice tradition contains not only two mutually exclusive analyses of capitalist dynamics, it also has very different interpretations of such norms as economic democracy and a preferential notion for the poor. Hobgood argues that the Church needs to clarify the economic models that inform its social justice mandates and to assess those models for their compatibility with the Church's moral concerns, otherwise, Catholic social teaching's interpretations of justice and how Christians must act for it remain inconsistent.

On the Economic Significance of the Catholic Social Doctrine

On the Economic Significance of the Catholic Social Doctrine PDF

Author: JÜRGEN BACKHAUS

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-04-25

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 331952545X

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This book discusses the history and socioeconomic impact of Rerum novarum, the first Catholic social encyclical. Drawn from research presented at the 2016 Heilbronn Symposia on Economics and the Social Sciences, this book resumes the discussion on the origin, dissemination and impact of the Catholic social doctrine which originated in this epoch-making encyclical, arguing that the fundamental concepts of this doctrine have had long-standing influence on the development of the modern social state and social market economy. Beginning with an introductory background on the Rerum novarum, the book moves through chapters focused on the implementation and application of the doctrine throughout its history and the impact it has had on global economics. The book starts with the contributions of precursors and pioneers of the doctrine such as Bishop Wilhelm von Ketteler , proceeds to the reception of Rerum novarum after its implementation, and presents examples of its application. It then moves to the central question of Rerum novarum on the role of land, the taxation of immovable property, and more generally, justice. The book concludes with comments on the wider significance of Rerum novarum and Catholic social doctrine from a sociological and theological perspective. This book will be useful for academic researchers interested in theoretical economic history, political science and history, economic thought, as well as contemporary global and social issues from the perspective of the Christian faith.