In May 1891 Pope Leo XIII published an encyclical “Rerum Novarum”, the first papal document to address the issue of the plight of industrial workers. The letter was a key stage in the development of Catholic Social teaching. The encyclical also laid out the elements of a just wage that would orient workers’ demands for many decades into the future.
The conference will consist of 10 webinars throughout the day and evening from Wednesday 5th May through to Saturday 8th May. The conference is free and to register contact the Rev Dr Ashley Beck: ashley.beck@stmarys.ac.uk
Published in 1891 at the height of the Industrial Revolution, “Rerum Novarum” was also a key formative document in the life of the young Joseph, Cardinal, Cardijn. It was a document that would have a decisive impact on his whole life as an advocate for the workers, particularly young workers.
Later, in 1931, when Pope Pius XI, published the encyclical Quadragesimo Anno to mark the 40th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, he made specific reference to Cardijn’s emerging YCW movement.
“The ranks of the workers themselves are already giving happy and promising signs of a social reconstruction,” Pope Pius XI wrote. “To Our soul’s great joy, We see in these ranks also the massed companies of young workers, who are receiving the counsel of Divine Grace with willing ears and striving with marvellous zeal to gain their comrades for Christ.” (no.140)
The conference will look at the theology and historical background of what Pope Leo wrote and assess its continuing importance. The letter shows the Catholic community beginning to engage with the “world of work”, and this tradition has deveoped so much in the last 130 years.
