Catholic Social Teaching: A Volume of Scholarly Essays

Catholic social teaching (CST) is a corpus of authoritative ecclesiastical teaching on social matters, beginning with Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum (1891) and running through Pope Francis. This volume is a scholarly engagement with this 130-year-old documentary tradition, providing a constructive, historically sophisticated, critical exegesis of all the major documents of CST. Its appeal is not limited to Catholics or even just to those who embrace Christianity, but to any scholar interested in the history or content of modern CST.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 646 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Catholic social teaching (CST) encompasses a comprehensive corpus of authoritative ecclesiastical teachings on social matters, originating with Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum (1891) and extending through Pope Francis. CST is distinct from social science and its texts do not serve as pragmatic guides for social activists. Rather, it represents a normative exercise of Church teaching, offering a comprehensive and applied social moral theology. This volume, a scholarly exploration of CST's 130-year-old documentary tradition, comprises twenty-three essays that aim to provide a constructive, historically sophisticated, and critical exegesis of all the major and some minor documents of CST. Its appeal extends beyond Catholics and even to scholars interested in the history or content of modern CST.

Introduction:
Catholic social teaching (CST) is a rich and evolving body of doctrine that guides the Catholic Church's understanding and response to social issues. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including poverty, human rights, social justice, and the role of the Church in society. CST is rooted in the teachings of the Bible and the Magisterium of the Church, which is the authoritative teaching authority of the Catholic Church.

Origins of CST:
CST can be traced back to the early Christian community, which emphasized the importance of caring for the poor and vulnerable. The teachings of St. Paul, in particular, were influential in shaping CST's early development. St. Paul's letters to the Corinthians and Ephesians highlight the importance of love, compassion, and social equality.

Papal Encyclicals:
Papal encyclicals are a significant part of CST and are issued by the Pope to address specific social issues or themes. Some of the most influential papal encyclicals include Rerum Novarum (1891), which addressed the social conditions of the working class and called for social reform, and Laudato Si (2015), which focused on the environmental crisis and called for a sustainable and just society.

CST and Modern Society:
CST has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing social and cultural landscape of modern society. In recent years, CST has been particularly concerned with issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The Church has emphasized the need for social policies that promote the common good and protect the rights and dignity of all people.

Conclusion:
Catholic social teaching is a vital part of the Catholic Church's mission to serve the poor and vulnerable and to promote social justice and human dignity. It is a rich and complex doctrine that requires careful study and interpretation. By engaging with CST, we can better understand the Church's vision for a just and compassionate society and work towards building a more equitable and sustainable world.

Weight: 855g
ISBN-13: 9781108448345