Claret School of Quezon City

U.P. Village, Diliman, Quezon City.

Encyclical Analysis:
Rerum Novarum

In partial fulfillment
Of the requirement in
CLE 12

Submitted by:
25: Lumbo, Joshua Ian C.
35: Sison, Sean Matthew S.

A research presented to:

Mr. Ryan Morales

III- Saint Francis Xavier

January 19, 2016

Table of Contents
Chapter I: Introduction
A. Background.3
B. Social Issues Present4
C. Objectives6
D. Hypothesis...6
E. Definition of Terms..7

Chapter II: Review of Related Literature

A. Biblical Reference8-11
1. Old Testament..8
2. New Testament9

B. Other Documents/ Literature12

RERUM NOVARUM
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII
ON CAPITAL AND LABOR

I.

Introduction

Background
In 1891, Pope Leo XIII released his encyclical: Rerum Novarum. The first of the social
encyclicals, it was issued at a time of immense social change in Europe, marked by the
awakening of democracy, a rise in industrialization, the influence of capitalism, and the popular
appeal of communism among working people. Pope Leo was concerned about the rise of
communism, which claimed to offer workers a socio-economic and political alternative to the
alliance between aristocratic privilege and the capital industrial interests. At the same time he
saw the excesses of capitalist development and the exploitation and dire poverty of workers.
Rerum Novarum, which directly translates to Of New Things, is Pope Leo XIIIs 37th
encyclical out of 85. It is a 26 paged encyclical which tackles five key issues namely, private
property, the right of the Church to speak on social issues, the role of the state, the workers right
to a just wage, and the importance of worker associations. Many of which, that may still be
applied today. This encyclical was released on May 15, 1891 at St. Peters in Rome to deal with
the social injustices that came to be during his period. One problem that stood out the most was
the condition of labor during his time. Things like child labor, poor working conditions and many
more came to be.

Social Issues Present

The encyclical, Rerum Novarum, was published in the year 1891 meaning the problems it
encompassed were somewhere from 1885 onwards. In that range, many social issues were

present and came up to be and Rerum Novarum was the response of Pope Leo XIII to tackle
those.
One of the many social issues that rose in the end of the 19 th century was Monopolies.
Monopoly is defined as a situation where a certain company controls most of the market and
because of that competition is absent. This results in very high prices and inferior companies.
This destroyed the smaller companies that wanted to engage in the same business and created a
lot of unemployment. As a result, they would have to look for jobs in these Monopolies and
struggle if they would not become accepted. Many laws were passed by the Congress but only
till Theodore Roosevelt did success come to be.
Another social issue that led to the Rerum Novarum is Child Labor. Child Labor, as the
world child implies, forced children as young as six years old to work hard for little or no pay.
The treatment of factories upon the kids was cruel in many ways. One of which is their working
hours. Most of them would work for about 19 hours a day with only an hour of brake. Childrens
safety was clearly neglected in these times. Child Labor was so bad that the number of male
workers aged 15 or under was 60%. Eventually Child Labor collapsed because of the
technological advances that took their place and because of the needed experience and
knowledge of jobs.
Immigration was another social issue faced by those times that Rerum Novarum came
to be. Immigration is the act of coming to permanently live in a foreign country. Of course, they
didnt live there for free and they did not plan on being idle. Those that immigrated came there to
work and live. Because of that, they began to take the jobs from the locals. They became a better

choice for companies because immigrants could be hired for lower wages and the quality of
work was usually higher or the same.
A social issue that heavily affected the Rerum Novarum was the issue of Poor Working
Conditions. In those times, factories were badly maintained and neglected. Factories were
crowded, dirty, and even dangerous. The machinery the workers used were dangerous enough
but even the factories themselves were a danger to their health. Not only were the factories badly
neglected but even the workers themselves. Proper equipment was not given to the workers
while working and so numerous hazards sprout out. Working hours were as bad as the facilities.
The male workers would usually work for 16 hours a day and the female workers would work
for 12 hours a day.
Rural Poverty was another social issue that rose on those years that would have
affected the Rerum Novarum. In this social issue people began to shift to commoditized crop and
livestock. This trend needed fewer farmers and so they employed less people per acre. Larger
farms used more efficient technologies plows, automatic-reapers, and seed stock which largely
reduced the employment of farmers.
All of these are social issues present during the past years before Rerum Novarum was
written and all of these are possible problems which lead to the creation of the encyclical. Based
on research, the encyclical: Rerum Novarum, was made to tackle problems related to workers.
Most of the problems of the century during that time were indeed related to workers mistreated
and Pope Leos response was this encyclical. The effect however, is something to dwell upon.

Objectives:

While being surrounded of the social injustices that are occurring in todays society, more people
should be informed of the needed treatment of our so called humanity. The objectives of this
research and encyclical correspond to the following:

Determine the efficiency of the encyclical, Rerum Novarum, in addressing work.

Analyze if the social issues discussed in Rerum Novarum are still persisting in the

present.
Affirm that the encyclicals teachings may still be applied up until this day.

Hypothesis:
The encyclical was Pope Leo XIIIs way of discussing the Industrial Revolution, work
and the issues that accompanied it. In a similar way, this study aims to analyze the efficiency of
the encyclical in addressing the so called issues and events. The study will also be able to
analyze and affirm the persistence of the social issues discussed up until the present. Investigate
the relevance of the said encyclical and its teachings up to this time and to determine if the
encyclical truly played a major role in stopping the unjust treatment to the workers or not.

Definition of Terms:
1. Privatization transfer of ownership of property or business from a government to a
private entity.
6

2. Monopolization the process of companies dominating the market in their respective

business eliminating competition.
3. Monopoly - a situation where a certain company controls most of the market and because
of that competition is absent.
4. Marxism socioeconomic analysis using a materialist interpretation of development and
a view of social transformation.
5. Capitalism - an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are
controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
6. Materialism - a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more
important than spiritual values.
7. Liberalization laws, rules or restrictions being relaxed
8. Ideology - a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic
or political theory and policy
9. Underpinnings - a set of ideas, motives, or devices that justify or form the basis for
something.
10. Deregulation - The reduction or elimination of government power in a particular industry
to create more competition.

II.

Review of Related Literature

Bible Reference
i.

Old Testament

Gen2:2
By the seventh day the work God had done was completed, and he rested on the seventh day
from all the work he had done.
This bible passage is related to Rerum Novarum in the way that work does not mean a
continuous effort until the end. There is a time for work and there is a time for rest. Unluckily,
during their time most worked for countless hours which ignored this statement. One must learn
how to take a step back and appreciate and be thankful of what is given. However, one must also
realize when to stop and when to continue for his/her own sake.

Gen 3:19
With sweat on your face you will eat your bread, until you return to clay, since it was from clay
you were taken, for you are dust and to dust you shall return.

We work in the expectation that it would satisfy our basic needs such as food, shelter, etc.
But, we must realize that in the end we would be equal to those who had none of it. In the end we
will see ourselves in the same footing with others. Yes, we have satisfied our basic needs with the
gruesome work that we have endured but keep in mind that all of us shall return from the dust we
came from.

ii.

New Testament

2 Cor. 8:9
You know well the generosity of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although he was rich, he made himself
poor to make you rich through his poverty.

During that time, the relationship between employee and employer were distinct. The
employee works hard while the employers sit back and relax. All the work is done by the
employee but he/she receives none or few of the benefit. The higher power is possessed by the
employer. He/she receives the most of the benefits the employees should be receiving. Those that
deserve to be rich from the work that they do instead become poor for the companies they work
for.

James 5:4

You deceive the workers who harvested your fields, but now their wages cry out to the heavens.
The reapers complaints have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

During those times, workers never received what they rightfully deserved because of the
effects of the Industrial Revolution. Workers never received their just wage while the employers
sit back and relax. Companies put profit before the workers safety. Justice was hidden and
equity was a myth. However, Pope Leo XIII heard their cries and responded with his encyclical,
Rerum Novarum, in order to catch the attention of the heads that runs everything.

Exodus 20:8
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

In the 1844 Factory Act, 8 to 13 year olds had to work a minimum of 6 and a half hour on
weekdays and six hours on weekends. Sabbath day was meant to be a rest day, not a working day
but because of the radical laws implied, the Sabbath was neglected. Pope Leo XIIIs Rerum
Novarum wanted to refresh the peoples mind on their morals and remind them of what they
need and need not to do. One of which was observing the Sabbath day.
Rom. 10:12
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentilethe same Lord is Lord of all and richly
blesses all who call on him

10

This passage talks about equality. Everyone must receive what they rightfully deserve,
regardless of culture, race, or any other discriminant factors. All workers need to receive what
they worked for and all are worthy of it. No one must be left out of the blessings that God
provides.

Matt.5:3
Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Even a famous beatitude may be applied in an encyclical. Here, it does not only refer to
the Materially Poor and the financially poor from the industrial revolution but also the spiritually
poor. In a time where, one spends more time in work than himself, he/she usually does not seem
to give time for the spirit. Pope Leo XIIIs wants to remind us that life isnt lived just by being
materially and financially well but also by being spiritually well.

Other Documents/Literature
The Quadragesimo Anno, In the 40th Year in English, is an encyclical issued by Pope
Pius XI on May 15, 1931. Given after forty years after Pope Leo XIIIs Rerum Novarum (hence
the title: In the 40th year) the encyclical began with Pope Pius XI summarizing and honoring
11

Pope Leo XIIIs Rerum Novarum. He evokes the Industrial Revolution that was previously faced
and the benefits the encyclical made. In a nutshell, Quadragesimo Anno is pretty much a follow
up of the Rerum Novarum. After summarizing Rerum Novarum, Pope Pius clarifies and updates
four issues that Leo had addressed: church authority, private property, just wages, and workers
associations. Quadragesimo carefully discusses the responsibility of the Church to respond to the
social issues. Pope Pius explains that while church leaders do not have authority to speak on
matters of scientific technique, they do have authority to offer guidance on matters related to the
moral law. Because there are times that economic issues correspond to the moral law, he states
that the Church has the responsibility to address the relevant issues.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

12

(n.d.). Retrieved December 22, 2015, from

[Link] labour-capital

Defining the role of the state - CPD. (2005, August 9). Retrieved December 22, 2015, from
[Link]

Lettinga, M. (2013, January 22). Social Issues from 1885-1930. Retrieved December 22, 2015,
from [Link]
Measuring the Tax Burden on Capital and Labor. (n.d.). Retrieved December 22, 2015, from
[Link]

Quadragesimo Anno Summary - [Link]. (n.d.). Retrieved December 22, 2015, from
[Link]

Rerum Novarum Summary - [Link]. (n.d.). Retrieved December 22, 2015, from
[Link]

Smith, R. (2013, January 23). Social Issues 1885 - 1930. Retrieved December 22, 2015, from
[Link]

13