Is Leo XIII speaking to us? Are we listening?

One hundred thirty-four years ago, on May 15, 1891, Leo XIII gave Christians a timeless treasure: the renowned encyclical Rerum Novarum. This document, along with its successor Quadragesimo Anno by Pius XI, continues to shape the social doctrine within the Catholic Church, bridging the past and the present for all who seek to realize the Kingdom of God. Their enduring relevance, which remains as potent today as it was when they were first penned, connects us to a rich tradition of social justice and theological thought. Pius XI’s encyclicals and initiatives shaped church doctrine and sought to forge a path for Christians in an era marked by political upheaval and moral uncertainty not much different than what we see today. Using the See-Judge-Act method (SJA) to explore documents’ legacy, we uncover their profound impact on the Church and global affairs during a tumultuous time.

Remember the sitz im leban of both popes when they wrote their documents? The good, the bad, and the ugly of all that is of our world. It shapes and molds us and our perspectives. Seek out the good, understand how the bad came about, and why the ugly was not addressed.

The documents laid the groundwork for social doctrine within the Catholic Church, both in the East and the West, and for Christian denominations striving to achieve the Kingdom of God, as expressed in the Sermon on the Mount. We need to focus on today’s societal phase change, much like Joseph Cardijn did in his time. We are experiencing a third revolution, the Autonomous Revolution, where emerging technology is changing how we understand work and purpose in life. Additionally, we are witnessing a rise in Christian Nationalism blended with Libertarianism, the antithesis of the Sermon on the Mount.

The document and the subsequent materials influenced Joseph Cardijn’s work, providing insight into our contemporary world and what we must do to help establish the Kingdom of God. Both documents, in practice, condemned fascism and communism. Today, we witness a rise in fascism through various forms of authoritarian governments and a surge in Christian Nationalism.

As Christian nationalism rises today, it is evident that we distinguish between Catholic social teachings (CST) and Christian nationalism, similar to how Joseph Cardin separated Catholic social teachings from communism in his era.

Rerum Novarum (1891) and Quadragesimo Anno (1931) remain influential encyclicals in Catholic social teaching, offering lessons that are still relevant today. Joseph Cardijn’s work is evident in the patterns contributing to the Kingdom of God, as taught in the Sermon on the Mount. As we navigate the Autonomous Revolution, a period of rapid technological advancement and societal change, the teachings of these documents become even more crucial.

1. The dignity of work and workers’ rights are essential today. Both encyclicals emphasize the significance of fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to form unions. This principle remains vital in addressing modern labor issues and worker exploitation. By employing the See-Judge-Act Method (SJA), we can not only understand the differences between CST and Christian Nationalism but also discover how to uphold the dignity of work in the context of emerging technology. This empowers us, the audience, to create change and ensure that the principles of these encyclicals are upheld in our workplaces and communities.

2. The balance between private property and the common good, a key principle in Catholic social teaching, is not merely a theoretical concept but a call to action. While affirming the right to private property, these documents emphasize that property should serve the common good. This idea is essential in discussions of wealth inequality and corporate social responsibility. As community members, our active participation in promoting this balance is vital. By utilizing the SJA method to understand the differences between CST and contemporary movements in economics and policy formation, we can actively promote this balance and ensure that the teachings of these encyclicals are upheld in our society.

3. Subsidiarity: Introduced in Quadragesimo Anno, this principle asserts that social and economic issues should be addressed at the most local level possible. This concept significantly influences discussions on government centralization and regional autonomy. How can we leverage the SJA methods at the grassroots level? We must engage in local communities, school boards, and politics because all politics are local. Jesus taught this lesson on the Mount for two and a half days.

4. Role of the state: Both encyclicals acknowledge the state’s responsibility to intervene to safeguard workers’ rights and promote social justice while also warning against excessive state control. This balance continues to spark debate regarding regulation and social welfare. At the local level, groups analyze these encyclicals and, utilizing the SJA method, comprehend how contemporary political movements like Libertarianism challenge the teachings of Jesus and the encyclicals. For individuals in the US, review Project 2025, which outlines the strategy of Christian Nationalism, and apply the SJA method to create local strategies for innovating, educating, and collaborating to bring about change.

5. Rejection of extreme ideologies: The encyclicals criticize unregulated capitalism and socialism while advocating a balanced approach that upholds human dignity and promotes social harmony. Remember that CST is neither politically conservative nor progressive; it is a doctrine based on Jesus’ teachings. Christian Nationalism is a political movement not based on the Sermon on the Mount. Both documents emphasize that the family is not just a social unit but the foundation of society. It deserves and demands our special protection and support. This principle remains relevant in discussions about work-life balance and family-friendly policies. In the US, people utilize the SJA method to comprehend why government movements to deport immigrants oppose the CST and why we must advocate for change within the context of CST. The urgency of this advocacy is underscored by the foundational role of the family in our society.

6. .Social justice and charity: The encyclicals emphasize the importance of structural changes (social justice) and individual actions (charity) in addressing social issues. This dual approach continues to be supported in addressing contemporary social problems. By using the SJA method, as Joseph Cardijn did, individuals can find ways to develop action plans for organizing and effecting change.

7. Ethical Dimension of Economic Activity: Both documents assert that moral law should guide economic activities, emphasizing that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. This principle remains crucial in discussions about business ethics and corporate responsibility. When we refer to the moral law, we invoke the Sermon on the Mount and the greater good for all humanity, which today includes focusing on individuals, the planet, meaningful purpose, and prosperity.

The lessons from Rerum Novarum and Quadragesimo Anno continue to shape Catholic social teaching and offer valuable insights for addressing contemporary social and economic challenges, particularly as we navigate the Autonomous Revolution, the rise of Libertarianism, and Christian Nationalism.