The Worker Question

This book presents an historical account of the origins of the roots of Catholic social teaching, the papal encyclical "Rerum Novarum". This book begins with a detailed analysis of the effects the French and industrial revolutions had upon the Papacy. This time of social change led to questions about the role of the state and the Vatican, the working conditions people experienced and the concept of a just wage. These and other concerns led to a commitment by the Vatican to develop a blue-print on which Catholic social action could be based. Thus began the painful gestation of "Rerum Novarum", an encyclical that saw with clarity the problems facing the worker, confronted them with wisdom, and stands as a monument to the vision of Leo XIII. This book uses primary source material to detail the intricate developments that led to the writing of this document.
 
This book presents an historical account of the origins of the roots of Catholic social teaching, the papal encyclical "Rerum Novarum". This book begins with a detailed analysis of the effects the French and industrial revolutions had upon the Papacy. This time of social change led to questions about the role of the state and the Vatican, the working conditions people experienced and the concept of a just wage. These and other concerns led to a commitment by the Vatican to develop a blue-print on which Catholic social action could be based. Thus began the painful gestation of "Rerum Novarum", an encyclical that saw with clarity the problems facing the worker, confronted them with wisdom, and stands as a monument to the vision of Leo XIII. This book uses primary source material to detail the intricate developments that led to the writing of this document.