Rerum Novarum Summary

 

by CAPP-USA

 

On Capital and Labor

Rerum Novarum serves as the cornerstone of modern Catholic social teaching.

Issued by Pope Leo XIII on May 15, 1891, it was groundbreaking in addressing the struggles of the working class and societal challenges during the Industrial Revolution.

The document explores the tensions between labor and capital, criticizing both socialism and unregulated capitalism while advocating for a just society founded on Christian principles.

Historical Context

The encyclical arose during a period of profound upheaval. Radical changes were taking place in politics, economics and society.

The Industrial Revolution was at its height. Major dislocations of pastoral people to squalid industrial centers disrupted the way of life millions had known for generations. Mass migrations from Europe were splitting families. Workers endured grueling hours, meager wages, and hazardous conditions, while a small elite accumulated vast wealth.

At the same time, socialist movements were gaining momentum, advocating for drastic measures such as the abolition of private property. The writings of Karl Marx had taken root in widespread communist movements. “A traditional society was passing away and another beginning to be formed – one which brought the hope of new freedoms but also the threat of new forms of injustice and servitude.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 4)

At the height of this clash Pope Leo XIII interceded. In his landmark encyclical of 1891, Rerum Novarum, the Pope, and the Church with him, confronted a society torn by dispute and addressed it in pointed terms.

Pope Leo XIII provided a balanced, moral vision that rejected extreme ideologies and emphasized the protection of human dignity.

Key Themes and Messages

THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND WORKERS

Pope Leo XIII upholds work as both honorable and essential to human life. He asserts that earning a living through labor carries no shame, citing Jesus Christ: “Is He not the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Rerum Novarum, 23)

The encyclical stresses that all workers, regardless of social status, deserve respect and fair treatment. It calls for an end to exploitation and the unjust hardships placed upon the working class, denouncing “the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working classes”. (Rerum Novarum, 3)

In his landmark encyclical of 1891, Rerum Novarum, the Pope, and the Church with him, confronted a society torn by dispute and addressed it in pointed terms.

THE ROLE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY

Pope Leo XIII firmly upholds private property as a natural right, grounded in both human nature and divine law.

He asserts that individuals have the right to own property as a means of securing their livelihood and providing for their families. As he declares, “The first and most fundamental principle, therefore, if one would undertake to alleviate the condition of the masses, must be the inviolability of private property”. (Rerum Novarum, 15)

The encyclical rejects socialism, which seeks to abolish private property and transfer ownership to the state, calling it “emphatically unjust.” Such a system, he argues, undermines personal freedom, distorts the proper role of the state, and leads to societal disorder. “Socialists, therefore, by endeavoring to transfer the possessions of individuals to the community at large, strike at the interests of every wage-earner… the remedy they propose is manifestly against justice”. (Rerum Novarum, 5, 6)

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CAPITAL AND LABOR

Employers and workers share mutual responsibilities, each owing to the other fairness and respect.

Employers must pay a just wage—“Wages ought not to be insufficient to support a frugal and well-behaved wage-earner” (Rerum Novarum, 45)—and ensure safe working conditions. Exploitation is condemned as a grave sin: “To defraud any one of wages that are his due is a great crime which cries to the avenging anger of Heaven”. (Rerum Novarum, 20)

Workers, in turn, are called to fulfill their duties with diligence and respect their employers’ property: “Those who labor… should employ their skill and strength faithfully”. (Rerum Novarum, 20)

The encyclical rejects unrestricted capitalism, warning that the pursuit of profit alone leads to worker exploitation. Instead, it advocates for a balanced approach where labor and capital work together for the common good.

THE RIGHT TO FORM UNIONS

Pope Leo XIII affirms workers’ right to form associations or unions to safeguard their interests. These organizations are seen as both a natural expression of human freedom and a practical means of securing fair wages and working conditions.

“Private societies… cannot be prohibited by the State… To enter into a society of this kind is the natural right of man”. (Rerum Novarum, 51)

He contrasts these voluntary associations with state-controlled systems, emphasizing that unions should remain independent and responsive to local needs. As he states, “Such associations should be adapted to the requirements of this our age—an age of wider education, of different habits, and of far more numerous requirements in daily life”. (Rerum Novarum, 49)

THE ROLE OF THE STATE

The state has a fundamental duty to uphold justice and protect the rights of all citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable. “Whenever the general interest or any particular class suffers, or is threatened with harm, which can in no way be met or prevented, the public authority must step in and deal with it.” (Rerum Novarum, 36)

However, its role has limits. The state must not overreach by stripping individuals and communities of their rightful responsibilities or freedoms, such as private property. “The State must not absorb the individual or the family; both should be allowed free and untrammeled action so far as is consistent with the common good”. (Rerum Novarum, 35)

Government intervention is justified when necessary—to ensure fair wages, regulate working hours, and safeguard public welfare—but it must follow the principle of subsidiarity, allowing smaller groups to handle matters they are capable of managing.

THE CHURCH’S ROLE

Pope Leo XIII’s letter began the modern systematization of the Church’s reflection on social issues, which had been ongoing for millennia.

In a sense Pope Leo XIII’s letter claimed the Church’s “citizenship status”. The Church recognized her right and duty to address the changing realities of public life and to suggest genuine solutions. “In the face of a conflict which set man against man” Pope Leo XIII, for the first time, both established and firmly defended the Church’s moral authority to promote justice in public life and, by so doing, “created a lasting paradigm for the Church”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)

“Leo’s Encyclical has proved itself the Magna Charta upon which all Christian activity in the social field ought to be based, as on a foundation.” (Pope Pius XI, 39)

The Church plays a crucial role in addressing social issues by teaching moral truths, fostering charity, and supporting organizations that aid the needy. 

Pope Leo XIII emphasizes the Church’s long history of caring for the poor and criticizes efforts to replace its charitable works with state-run welfare systems. He argues that true charity is rooted in faith and love and “no human expedients will ever make up for the devotedness and self sacrifice of Christian charity”. (Rerum Novarum, 30)

He warns that human attempts to resolve class conflicts will ultimately fail without the guidance of Christian principles.

REJECTION OF SOCIALISM

Socialism presents a false solution that ultimately harms those it claims to help. By abolishing private property and concentrating power in the state, it violates natural rights and disrupts social order.

It distorts society: “The Socialists… in attempting to seize all property and bring it under State control, distort the functions of the State, and bring utter confusion to the community”. (Rerum Novarum, 4)

Indeed, “neither justice nor the common good allows any individual to seize upon that which belongs to another, or, under the futile and shallow pretext of equality, to lay violent hands on other people’s possessions”. (Rerum Novarum, 38)

Socialism breeds discord: “The door would be thrown open to envy, to mutual invective, and to discord…the sources of wealth themselves would run dry”. (Rerum Novarum, 15)

Rather than embracing socialism, Pope Leo XIII advocates for reforms that uphold private property, individual freedom, and human dignity as the foundations of a just society.

“The law, therefore, should favor ownership, and its policy should be to induce as many as possible of the people to become owners.” (Rerum Novarum, 46)

A CALL FOR COLLABORATION

Pope Leo XIII calls on all sectors of society—workers, employers, the state, and the Church—to unite in fostering justice and reducing class conflict. He envisions a society built on mutual respect, fair policies, and a shared commitment to the common good.

He emphasizes the interdependence of labor and capital: “Capital cannot do without labor, nor labor without capital… their mutual harmony is the result aimed at”. Rejecting the idea of inevitable class struggle, he asserts: “The great mistake… is to take up with the notion that class is naturally hostile to class… the exact contrary is the truth”. (Rerum Novarum, 19)

Through cooperation and justice, true social harmony can be achieved.

Pope Leo XIII provided a balanced, moral vision that rejected extreme ideologies and emphasized the protection of human dignity.

Key Solutions Proposed

Just Wages – Wages should be sufficient to support a worker and their family, not just bare survival. A wage sufficient “to support a frugal and well-behaved wage-earner” are called for. (Rerum Novarum, 45)

Worker Associations – Unions and trade groups should be encouraged to give workers a collective voice. “The most important of all are workingmen’s unions… such associations should be multiplied and suited to the times”. (Rerum Novarum, 49)

Limited Work Hours – Excessive working hours damage workers’ health and family life, so limits should be set. “It is neither just nor human so to grind men down with excessive labor as to stupefy their minds and wear out their bodies”. (Rerum Novarum, 42)

Protection for the Vulnerable – Special consideration should be given to women and children in the workplace. “Women… are not suited for certain occupations… children should not be permitted to labor before their strength is equal to the burden”. (Rerum Novarum, 42)

Charity and Solidarity – The wealthy, along with the Church, should actively support the poor. “The rich should… share their superfluous wealth with the poor… as a duty not of justice (save in extreme cases), but of Christian charity”. (Rerum Novarum, 22)

Why It Matters Today

Rerum Novarum remains highly relevant, addressing enduring issues of economic inequality, workers’ rights, and the balance between individual freedom and collective responsibility.

This encyclical speaks to modern challenges such as wage gaps, job security, and the ethical concerns surrounding capitalism. It offers a balanced alternative to both laissez-faire economics and socialism, prioritizing human dignity over profit or ideological extremes.

Its principles have inspired global social justice movements and continue to inform discussions on ethical economics. It laid the groundwork for Catholic social teaching, influencing later encyclicals like Quadragesimo Anno (1931) and Centesimus Annus (1991).

Whether you’re a worker, employer, or policymaker, Rerum Novarum serves as a moral compass for creating a fairer, more just society.

For the full text, visit Rerum Novarum to explore Pope Leo XIII’s words directly.