centesimus annus

Centesimus

AnnusReport by:

Peña, Tabitha

What isCentesimus

Annus

Encyclical by Pope John Paul IIIssued on May 1, 1991 Literally means "The Hundredth Year"Commemorated the 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum

CENTESIMUS ANNUS

What isRerum Novarum

RERUM NOVARUM

Encyclical by Pope Leo XIII

Issued on May 15, 1891Literally means “Of New Things” First Encyclical on Catholic Social Teaching

RERUM NOVARUM

Most comprehensive stance ever made by the Church on social issuesBroke down the barriers that separated the Church and the workers

On what context is

Rerum Novarum grounded

CONTEXTResponse on the issues brought on by the so-called “New Things” or

the spirit of revolutionary change in: politics, economics and society

What is Rerum Novarum’s

major concern

Capital, labor and condition of workers

MAJOR CONCERN

What issues did Rerum Novarum

raise

ISSUE: Production is controlled by a fewRESPONSE: Fix limits of private possession by

the industry of men

ISSUE: Concentrated wealth of powerful people promotes greed and exploits workers

RESPONSE: Recall that just ownership of money is distinct from just use

ISSUE: Enormous wealth of a few and poverty of the masses

RESPONSE: Promote trade associations and just wages

ISSUE: Inhuman conditions existRESPONSE: Emphasis on the rights of the poor

and the defenseless

ISSUE: Decline of morals causes conflict RESPONSE: Teach and spread the Church’s

social doctrine as an essential part of the mission of evangelization

ISSUE: Socialism rejects private propertyRESPONSE: Recognize that private property is a right and stabilizer of society

ISSUE: Socialism favors class warfare theoryRESPONSE: Encourage equitable relations

between capital and labor

What is Rerum Novarum’s

main point

MAIN POINTIdeologies of hatred, violence and

injustice could be overcome by helping the poor and promoting workers’ welfare by defining the role of the

Church, the State, private property, workers and employers

Centesimus Annus:

An Overview

INTRODUCTIONRerum Novarum is of great importance due to the various initiatives it unleashed 1

“Re-reading” of Rerum Novarum 3

CHAPTER 1:Characteristics of

Rerum Novarum

CHAPTER 1:Characteristics of Rerum

NovarumDescribes prevalent situations in 1891 which led to Rerum Novarum 4

Industrial Revolution Clash between Socialism and Capitalism Marxism

CHAPTER 1:Characteristics of Rerum

NovarumDiscusses the fundamental conditions of justice in Rerum Novarum which remains apt to the challenges of today 5-6

CHAPTER 1:Characteristics of Rerum

NovarumReflects on Rerum Novarum’s correct view on the human person 11

"God has imprinted His own image and likeness on man (Gen 1:26), bestowing upon

him an incomparable dignity. “

CHAPTER 2:Towards the

“New Things” of Today

Speaks of the error of separating human freedom from obedience to the truth which result to: self-love and contempt for God affirmation of self interests refusal of limitations violation of human rights 17

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

Characterizes Post-World War II in Europe as a “situation of non-war rather than genuine peace!“ 18-20

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

No control over own destiny 18

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

An “insane” arms race swallowed up vital resources needed for national development

and assistance towards developing countries 18

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

Violent extremist groups found ready political

and military support and were equipped and trained for war 18

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

Atomic threat oppressed the world 18

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

Impeded genuine independence of developing countries

due to foreign Economic and political control and the lack of a competent professional class 20

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

Points to International Documents (United Nations Organization) after World War II which showed a "more lively sense of human rights“ rights of individuals and of nations clearer realization of the need to act to

remedy grave global imbalances

CHAPTER 2:Towards the “New Things” of

Today

CHAPTER 3:The Year 1989

Enumerated factors that contributed to the fall of oppressive regimes in Eastern Europe and the beginning of a more just system in some Third World countries: violation of workers’ rights 23

inefficiency of the economic system 24

spiritual void brought about by atheism 24

CHAPTER 3:The Year 1989

CHAPTER 4:Private Property and

the Universal Destination ofMaterial Goods

Chapter which begins to address what should be doneTransition from a reflective review on Rerum Novarum to a constructive teachingWork, which is in our day work with and for others, is the human response to God’s gifts 31

CHAPTER 4:Private Property and the Universal Destination of

Material Goods

CHAPTER 5:State and Culture

Mainly addresses political issuesAffirm ‘the rule of law’ Argues that the dignity of the human person requires rejection of attempts at totalitarian rule

CHAPTER 5:State and Culture

CHAPTER 6:Man is the Way of

the Church

The Church’s purpose is care and responsibility not only for humankind, but also for each individual 53

The option for the poor is not limited to material poverty but encompasses cultural and material poverty as well 57

CHAPTER 6:The Year 1989

What is themain issue raised

by Centesimus Annus

Fall of Communism and theAscendancy of Capitalism:

new manifestations of injustice about the old problem on the dignity of the human

person with regard to work and sphere of economics

MAIN ISSUE

What specific situations show the Ascendancy

of Capitalism

ISSUE: Workers are viewed only as mere elements within the social organism

RESPONSE: Development must be seen in fully human—not merely economic—terms 29

Loss of Affirmation of Human Dignity

ISSUE: Workers are only parts of the mechanism of production

RESPONSE: State must render service towards the development of the human person 29

Loss of Affirmation of Human Dignity

ISSUE: Workers are no different from capital and natural resources

RESPONSE: Worker is primary, work is secondary 13

Loss of Affirmation of Human Dignity

ISSUE: Decisions based solely on profitsRESPONSE: Labor must be prioritized over

capital 35

Priority of Capital over Labor

ISSUE: Only a “Society of Capital Goods” and not a “Society of Persons”

RESPONSE: Human and moral factors are just as vital as profit to the life of a business 35

Priority of Capital over Labor

ISSUE: Private ownership justifies maximum profit

RESPONSE: Encourage a concrete commitment to solidarity and charity as the solution to individualistic mentality 49

Priority of Capital over Labor

ISSUE: Many persons work under unacceptable employment conditions

RESPONSE: Create a legitimate pursuit of personal goals on the part of each individual 40

No Just Wages and Working Conditions

ISSUE: Unemployment and underemployment arise naturally in economies

RESPONSE: Sustain business conditions which ensure job opportunities 47

Underserved Right to Meaningful

Employment

ISSUE: No true measure of an economic system wherein work is rewarded

RESPONSE: Workers must be paid a “just wage” and be given the “rights” to certain benefits. 48

No Just Wages and Working Conditions

ISSUE: Individuals often lack the power to assure proper working conditions

RESPONSE: Secure the exercise of human rights in the economic sector 47

Lack of Right to Join a Union

What other issues does Centesimus

Annus touch on

KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

ISSUE: Lack of means into the world of technology marginalize many people

RESPONSE: Help people acquire expertise and participation in the modern economy 34

Electric city by Black Eyed PeasWe the blast masters, the radiation International coming to your nation

Feel the feel the feel the feel the vibrationWe kill ya kill ya kill ya radio station

Kill em with the sound kill, em kill em with the soundHit em with the frequency

Shoot em with the bass shoot, shoot em with the bassSuper mega frequency

POVERTY

ISSUE: The poor is seen as people without potential—only problems

RESPONSE: Offer poor nations the chance to be involved in the global order 35

If There’s a God in Heaven by Elton John

Torn from their familiesMothers go hungry

To feed their childrenBut children go hungry

There's so many big menThey're out making millions

When poverty's profitsJust blame the children

CONSUMERISM

ISSUE: People are trapped in a web of false and superficial gratifications

RESPONSE: Strive for truth and goodness when determining choices 36

Price Tag by Jessie JIt's not about the money, money, money

We don't need your money, money, money We just wanna make the world dance

Forget about the price tag Ain't about the uh cha-ching, cha-ching Ain't about the yeah ba-bling, ba-bling

Wanna make the world dance Forget about the price tag

ROLE OF MASS MEDIA

ISSUE: Self-awareness and self-worth have been distorted by the media

RESPONSE: Media must foster a sense of general responsibility towards authentic human growth 36

Selling the News by SwitchfootI wanna believe you, I wanna believe

But everything is in-betweenThe fact is fiction, the fact is fiction

I can see your talking heads on the television setOn the Internet they said

The fact is fiction; suspicion is the new religion

ENVIRONMENTAL ABUSE

ISSUE: Man consumes the earth’s resources in an excessive and disordered manner

RESPONSE: Be conscious of obligations towards future generations 37

Heal the World by Michael JacksonHeal The World

Make It A Better PlaceFor You And For Me and The Entire Human Race

There Are People DyingIf You Care Enough for The Living

Make A Better PlaceFor You And For Me

DESTRUCTION OF HUMAN ECOLOGY

ISSUE: Social structures create environments conducive to sin

RESPONSE: Respect the natural and moral structure of being God’s gift to others 38

Money Money Money by AbbaMoney, money, money

Must be funny in the rich man's worldMoney, money, money

Always sunny in the rich man's worldAha-ahaa All the things I could do

If I had a little moneyIt's a rich man's world It's a rich man's world

DIVORCE

ISSUE: Defiance of the sanctity of marriage and proliferation of dysfunctional families

RESPONSE: Protect the family against attacks because it is the sanctuary of life 39

Family Portrait by PinkCan we work it out? Can we be a family?

I promise I'll be betterMommy, I'll do anything

Can we work it out? Can we be a family?

I promise I'll be betterDaddy, please don't leave

FAMILY PLANNING

ISSUE: Mentality of contraceptionRESPONSE: Focus on a mutual, loving and

self-giving relationship as the context for procreation 39

The Pill by Loretta LynnPromised if I`d be your wife

You`d show me the worldBut all I`ve seen of this old world

Is a bed and a doctor billI`m tearing down your brooder house

`Cause now I`ve got the pill

ABORTION

ISSUE: View on children as "things" which people can choose to keep or get rid of

RESPONSE: Every child has the right to develop in the mother’s womb 47

Can I Live by Nick CannonHopefully you'll make the right decision

And don’t go through with the Knife incisionI'll Always Be a part of you

Trust Your Soul Know it's always trueIf I Could Talk I'd Say To You

Can I live Can I live

FAULTY DEMOCRACIES

ISSUE: Weak recognition of rights to life, to work and to family

RESPONSE: Respect subsidiarity, ensure freedom and secure human rights

48

Young Homie by Chris ReneLife’s too short, gotta live it long

To my brothers and sisters When will we get along

Give peace to the war in the streetsGive peace to the evil that creeps, yeah

I just ride, put my hand to the skyLive life like I’m never gon’ die

What is theproposal of Centesimus

Annus

PROPOSALNew Capitalism

Democratic capitalism towards economics and political justiceStrong appreciation of the need to maintain a vibrant and critical interaction between economics, culture, and politics

culture is most important heart of culture is morality heart of morality is religion

What is themain point of Centesimus

Annus

MAIN POINT

Love for others, and especially for the poor, is made concrete by promoting

justice. 58