1. R ERUM N OVARUM
Prepared by Jonald Justine Umali Itugot

2. O VERVIEW
 Author: Pope Leo XIII
 Release Date: May 15, 1891
 Examines the situation of poor people and
workers in industrialized countries
 Articulates everyone’s role in working together to
build a just society
 Employers are seen as “agents for change”

3. H ISTORICAL NOTE
 Poverty and exploitation of workers were
prevalent towards the end of the 19th
century
 European and American bishops requested
for an influential stand of the Church

4. S ITUATION OF W ORKERS
 Most workers experience poverty
 There is a decline in public morality
 Greedy employers exploit workers
 Government does not give attention
to the poor

5. G UIDING P RINCIPLES
 Everything starts and ends with God;
everything belongs equally to all
 Different talents exist among persons, but
everyone is equal in dignity
 Man is a gifted with reason
 Common good should be everyone’s goal;
everyone has a right to social participation

6. G UIDING P RINCIPLES
 Laws are obeyed if they conform with right
reason and eternal law
 National wealth originates from human
labor
 Everyone has the right to private property as
long as it helps in the attainment of common
good
 Profit should be used for the benefit of all
 Wealth is hindrance to eternal life

7. R OLE OF THE C HURCH
 The Church has the right to speak
since social matters affect religion
and morality
 Gospel principles help reconcile and
unify classes
 The Church can educate people to act
justly

8. R IGHTS OF W ORKERS /P OOR
 Private property
 Care
 Just wage
 Family
 Freedom of action
 Join unions which uphold values

9. D UTIES OF W ORKERS /P OOR
 Work well
 Protect the property of the employer
 Refrain from violence and rioting
 Be thrifty

10. R IGHTS OF
E MPLOYERS /W EALTHY
 Private property
 No crushing taxes
 Private societies

11. D UTIES OF
E MPLOYERS /W EALTHY
 Not to treat workers as slaves
 Uphold dignity of workers
 Let workers attend religious and family obligations
 Not to impose work more than a person’s strength
can endure
 Pay a just wage; not to tamper with worker’s savings
 Give to the poor after personal needs have been met

12. R OLE OF G OVERNMENT
 Defend and foster the rights of families
 Support both private property and common
good
 Safeguard the rights of workers
 Intervene when necessary to prevent harm to
individuals or common good
 Give special consideration to the poor
 Uphold social and religious rights of people