Catholic teaching on Social Justice comes in the form of official statement such as:

• encyclicals,
• exhortations and
• addresses by Popes and bishops.

The first encyclical on Social Justice was written in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII.

It is best known by its opening Latin words, Rerum Novarum (‘Of New Things’). This encyclical addressed the rights of workers in the post-Industrial Revolution age. It affirmed, for exam-ple, the rights of people to:

• the necessities of life
• just wages
• form trade unions.

Social Teaching develops over time

Catholic Social Teaching should not be seen as a fixed block of doctrine or a received wisdom from the past. Rather, it is collection of teachings that have developed and continue to be developed in response to important issues. Through the process of developing these teachings the Church shows a way to reflect on the world as it is here and now, but always viewing it as God’s world, entrusted to us, and viewing all others as our brothers and sisters.

Social Teaching is given a high priority

Catholic Social Teaching comes in the form of official statements such as encyclicals, exhortations and addresses by Popes and bishops. Worldwide and in Australia Social Justice is one of the highest priorities of the Catholic Church. The Pope and bishops constantly call on Catholics to become involved in fostering Social Justice in the world. This call is direct response to the needs of people throughout the world. The following historical case illustrates the point.

Social Teaching responds to needs

The Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries brought massive change to society. Thousands moved from farms and villages to the cities to work in the mines and factories. For many people, their previous communal lifestyle was changed completely.In 1844 the future Pope Leo XIII, then a young man, spent several weeks in England and saw first hand the conditions of workers and was greatly affected by the experience.

Human rights defended in Catholic teaching

The first encyclical on Social Justice was written in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII. It is best known by its opening Latin words, Rerum Novarum (’Of Revolutionary Change’ / ‘Of New Things’).

The encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the rights of workers in the late 19th Century. It affirmed, for example, the rights of people to:

• the necessities of life
• just wages
• form trade unions.

More recent encyclicals from other popes have addressed the issues of:

• modern threats to human living conditions
• the increasing gap between rich and poor
• threats to world peace
• human rights to the necessities of life
• the proper use of technology
• the criteria for the well-being of humanity
• the right to employment
• the obligations of employers
• the modern conflict between labour and capital
• social welfare
• rural needs
• the needs of the disabled
• refugees and migrants
• private property and the universal destination of material goods.

Pope Francis will this year (2015) release an ‘ecological’ encyclical on the current issue of climate change and its effect on the lives of the poor.