Term for Identification: Rerum Novarum

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The Answer is "Rerum Novarum," which is Latin for "Of New Things," is a seminal papal encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII on May 15, 1891. It is also known as "Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor." This document is considered the foundation of modern Catholic social teaching and addresses the condition of the working classes at a time when industrialization was causing significant economic and social changes.

In "Rerum Novarum," Pope Leo XIII responds to the rise of socialism and the plight of workers by affirming the rights of labor to form unions, the right to private property, and the need for a living wage. The encyclical criticizes both unrestrained capitalism and revolutionary socialism, advocating a middle ground that respects the dignity of the worker while maintaining the proper role of private property and entrepreneurship.

The document emphasizes the importance of the family, the role of the state in safeguarding workers' rights, and the mutual obligations between employers and employees. It also outlines the church's role in addressing social issues and promoting justice.

"Rerum Novarum" set the stage for the church's engagement with social issues and influenced subsequent encyclicals and church teachings on social justice, including the development of the concept of the preferential option for the poor and the common good. It remains a key text for understanding Catholic social thought and has had a lasting impact on Christian approaches to social and economic issues.

Term for Identification: Rerum Novarum

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