On the 15th 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.
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.
In addition Rerum Novarum acknowledged the essential role of Trade Unions as the only reliable way to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of workers and their families. Pope Leo XIII used Rerum novarum to depict the plight of the urban poor and condemn unrestricted capitalism. Chief among the remedies it prescribed were the formation of trade unions and the introduction of collective bargaining.
Unions would go on to successfully lobby for the creation of a five-day work week, eight-hour work day, pensions and benefits for families, living wages for workers, and safe working conditions.
Trade Unionism was also a driving force in the creation of the YCW. Our founder, Joseph Cardijn, originally called the growing movement in Belgium the “Young Trade Unionists” and it was the plight of workers that drew Cardijn to his lifelong mission of fighting for justice and the empowerment of 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).
