SOCIOLOGY 3

The Social Teachings of the

Church

QUADRAGESIMO ANNO
Quadragesimo Anno

The Reconstruction of the Social Order,

Pius XI, 1931
Quadragesimo Anno
First sequel to Rerum Novarum making it a
tradition setting document
Forty years after the promulgation of Pope
Leos landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum
major Economic Depression worldwide

Evolution of Capitalism and Socialism

The World in 1891-1931
a) Panic of 1893
- Economic Depression credit shortage

b) 1894 Pullman Strike in the U.S.A.

- Pullman company town violent protests
The World in 1891-1931
c) 1914-1918 World War I - Central Powers
(Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey)

d) 1917 The Russian Revolution

- Lenin establishes Dictatorship of the Proletariat
The World in 1891-1931
e) 1919-1939
- Totalitarian vs Democratic State

f) Feb. 6, 1922
- Pope Pius XI Elected
The World in 1891-1931
g) Oct. 31, 1922
- Fascist March on Rome

h) 1924
- Stalin wins power struggle in Communist Russia
The World in 1891-1931
i) Oct. 29, 1929
- U.S. Stock Market Collapse

j) 1931
- Nazis rise to power in Fascist Germany
Quadragesimo Anno

The Reconstruction of the Social Order,

Pius XI, 1931
Pope Pius XI
Ambrogio Damiano Achille
Ratti
Motto: The peace of Christ
in the Kingdom of Christ
Vice prefect of Vatican
Library under Pope Pius X
Made a cardinal and
archbishop of Milan by Pope
Benedict XV
Spoke out against
nationalism, racism, anti-
Semitism, and totalitarianism
Pope Pius XI
3 major encyclicals that went
against totalitarian systems

a)Non abbiamo bisogno

(we do not need to acquaint
you 1931)

b) Mit brennender sorge

(with deep anxiety 1937)

c) Divini redemptoris
(1937 divine redeemer)
Pope Pius XI
a)Dec. 11, 1925 Quas Primas
- Established Feast of Christ the
King
b) June 7, 1929 Lateran
Treaty
- Independent State of the
Vatican
c) Feb. 12, 1929 - Vatican Radio

d) May 8, 1933
Canonization - St. Bernadette
Soubirous (Our Lady of
Lourdes)
Quadragesimo Anno
Composed of three major parts:
1. Describes the impact of RN on Church,
civil authorities and other parties
2. Clarifies, develops, and expands the
social and economic teachings of RN
3. Treats changes in capitalism and
socialism since RN, the roots of the
disorder, and remedy proposed by the
Church
1. Describes the impact of RN on Church, civil
authorities and other parties (#1-39)
a) On The Church & On Other Concerned
Parties:
"Not only did works of charity begin to multiply upon
the urging of the Pontiff (Leo XIII), ...but new
andexpanding organizations in which workersof
every kind, with the counsel of the Church andunder
the leadership of her priests, give and receive mutual
help and support." #24
1. Describes the impact of RN on Church, civil
authorities and other parties (#1-39)
b) On Civil Authorities
"A new branch of law has arisen...to protect the
sacred rights of workers that flow from their dignity as
men and Christians...with special concern for women and
children. Much credit must be given for these
improvements to the Encyclical on the Condition of
Workers (Rerum Novarum)." #28
2. Clarifies, develops, and expands the social
and economic teachings of Rerum Novarum
(#40-98)
Role of the Church
Property Rights
- INDIVIDUALISM vs COLLECTIVISM
- proper balance between
labour and capital
- ownership has both an
Individual & a social nature

Individuals must have the means to acquire wealth

and provide for their families without undue
interference from the state. But the distribution of
wealth must ensure the common good and prevent
extreme disparities of wealth (#58)
2. Clarifies, develops, and expands the social
and economic teachings of Rerum Novarum
(#40-98)
SOLIDARITY
- Just wage & Shareholding primary way of fulfilling
the call for solidarity (#64-74)

SUBSIDIARITY
- weakening of civil structures that ensure community
participation in decision making
- supreme authority of the state was to let local
communities handle matters appropriate to them
3. Treats changes in capitalism and socialism
since RN, the roots of the disorder, and
remedy proposed by the Church (# 99-148)
unrestrained capitalism & totalitarian
socialism/communism
- dangers of free market economy
- repulsion to dictatorship of proletariat
3. Treats changes in capitalism and socialism
since RN, the roots of the disorder, and
remedy proposed by the Church (# 99-148)
Against Economic Dictatorship
- the State has become a slave to greed
- human dignity must be recognized

Against Socialism & Communism

- concept of society is utterly foreign to Christian truth
- supports unrelenting class warfare and extermination
of private property ownership
3. Treats changes in capitalism and socialism
since RN, the roots of the disorder, and
remedy proposed by the Church (# 99-148)
SYNDICALISM
- every part of society should have associations
and organizations that are experts in their area

PIUS XI
- Accused of being a socialist and a fascist
Quadragesimo Anno
Popes remedies

Unions must be founded in

accordance with Pope Leo
XIII's prescription
Prosperity with Respect for
the Laws of God:
Love and Charity must
reinforce justice
United Under God