I’m planning a series on why, as a Catholic, leftism is good actually. In preparation, I’m trying to bone up on my CST. For my own convenience and that of my readers, I’ve thrown together a partial list of relevant encyclicals and the like here. (I won’t be charging for this post on Patreon, obviously.)
Rerum Novarum [Of New Matters], Pope Leo XIII, 1891. On property and the rights and duties of workers, particularly trade unions.
Quadragesimo Anno [In the Fortieth Year], Pope Pius XI, 1931. On socio-economic developments since Rerum Novarum.
Mit Brennender Sorge [With Burning Sorrow], Pope Pius XI, 1937. On the racial ideology of the Nazis.
Mater et Magistra [Mother and Teacher], St. John XXIII, 1961. Continuing from Rerum Novarum and Quadragesimo Anno, notably addressing world population increase.
Pacem in Terris [Peace on Earth], St. John XXIII, 1963. On socio-political and international relations, notably addressing nuclear proliferation.
Dignitatis Humanae [Of Human Dignity], Second Vatican Council, 1965. Declaration on religious freedom (namely, “yes”).
Gaudium et Spes [Joy and Hope], Second Vatican Council, 1965. Pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world, dealing among other things with culture, politics, economics, and international relations.
Populorum Progressio [The Development of Peoples], St. Paul VI, 1967. Dealing among other things with rights to a fair wage, job security, and good working conditions.
Centesimus Annus [The Hundredth Year], St. John Paul II, 1991. Continuing from Rerum Novarum, Quadragesimo Anno, and Mater et Magistra, dealing among other things with the principles of human solidarity, the universal destination of goods, and the properly subsidiary levels of authority.
Evangelium Vitae [The Gospel of Life], St. John Paul II, 1995. Dealing among other things with abortion, sterilization, euthanasia, and capital punishment.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2004. Exactly what it says on the tin.
Caritas in Veritate [Love in Truth], Pope Benedict XVI, 2009. Dealing among other things with international human development, the advancements of technology, and care for the environment.
Evangelii Gaudium [The Joy of the Gospel], Pope Francis, 2013. On the missionary aspect of parish life, including the confrontation of oppressive economic systems and preferential care for the poor.
Laudato Si’ [Praised Be Thou], Pope Francis, 2015. On care for the environment, particularly as its destruction impacts the disadvantaged.—
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