Understanding Its Role and Importance<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
What is a Union?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>A union is an organization comprised of workers with shared goals usually pertaining to benefits, wages, working conditions, and other workplace issues. A union represents the workers with management, often negotiating contracts between them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/A-miner-wearing-a-helmet-and-head-lamp-smiles-at-the-camera.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Church answers the question ‘what is a union’ with, it is a right.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The concept of a union is no stranger to Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/p>\nDo Workers Have a Right to Form Unions?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes!<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe right to form unions is firmly rooted in Catholic social teaching \u2014 with even their historical antecedents confirmed: “History attests what excellent results were brought about by the artificers\u2019 guilds of olden times.” (Rerum Novarum, 49)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Leo XIII devotes much of his encyclical, Rerum Novarum<\/a>, which ushered in the modern Catholic social teaching, to the importance of unions. Of all the associations and organizations created in the service of mankind, \u201cThe most important of all are workingmen\u2019s unions\u201d and he hoped \u201cthat they should become more numerous and more efficient.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Rerum Novarum, 49)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Catholic Church’s Consistent Support for Labor Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The Catholic Church has consistently defended the right to unionize across multiple pontificates:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- “[L]abour unions…have always been encouraged and supported by the Church.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- “To the Encyclical of Leo, therefore, must be given this credit, that these associations of workers have so flourished everywhere.” (Pope Pius XI, 22)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- “Pope Leo XIII also defended the worker\u2019s natural right to enter into association with his fellows.” (Pope St. John XXIII, 22)<\/a>
<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nA century after Rerum Novarum<\/em>, Pope St. John Paul II reminded the world that \u201cThe right of association is a natural right of the human being\u201d. <\/strong>(Centesimus Annus, 7)<\/a> He further emphasized: “This means above all the right to establish professional associations of employers and workers, or of workers alone.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II also devoted major sections in Laborem Exercens<\/a> to the importance of unions:<\/span><\/p>\n\u201c[T]he modern unions grew up from the struggle of the workers\u2026to protect their just rights\u2026Their task is to defend the existential interests of workers in all sectors in which their rights are concerned.\u201d (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n“They are indeed a mouthpiece for the struggle for social justice, for the just rights of working people in accordance with their individual professions.” (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching unequivocally affirms the right to unionize<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n“Labour unions…have always been encouraged and supported by the Church”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThe Role of Government in Supporting Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Pope Leo XIII calls workers’ unions \u201creal societies\u201d. (Pope Leo XIII, 50)<\/a>\u00a0He explains:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cSince to enter into a \u2018society\u2019 of this kind is the natural right of man<\/strong>; and the State has for its office to protect natural rights, not to destroy them; and, if it forbid its citizens to form associations, it contradicts the very principle of its own existence.\u201d (Rerum Novarum, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II reinforces this, stating that \u201cthe formation of unions ‘cannot \u2026 be prohibited by the State’<\/strong>\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nHowever, the State can intervene when<\/strong> “men join together for purposes which are evidently bad, unlawful, or dangerous to the State”. (Pope Leo XIII, 52)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nEven here though, Pope Leo XIII cautions that “every precaution should be taken not to violate the rights of individuals and not to impose unreasonable regulations under pretense of public benefit.” (Rerum Novarum, 52)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nOverall, “The State should watch over these societies of citizens banded together in accordance with their rights, but it should not thrust itself into their peculiar concerns and their organization”. (Pope Leo XIII, 55)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nAs for unions \u2014 \u201cIn order that an association may be carried on with unity of purpose and harmony of action, its administration and government should be firm and wise.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 56)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe True Purpose of Labor Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Unions must serve the common good<\/strong> \u2014 avoiding damaging forms of self-interest or undue political manipulation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II warns that “Union demands cannot be turned into a kind of group or class ‘egoism’, although they can and should also aim at correcting \u2014 with a view to the common good of the whole of society.” (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n“[T]he role of unions is not to ‘play politics’.”<\/strong>\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Francis emphasizes that unions “are required to be a voice for the voiceless”. (Address to Managers and Delegates of the Italian General Confederation of Labor)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nUnions also “serve the development of an authentic culture of work and help workers to share in a fully human way in the life of their place of employment”. (Centesimus Annus, 15)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nWhat About Strikes?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Regarding strikes, Pope St. John Paul II notes:<\/span><\/p>\n“[W]orkers should be assured the right to strike, without being subjected to personal penal sanctions for taking part in a strike. While admitting that it is a legitimate means, we must at the same time emphasize that a strike remains, in a sense, an extreme means. It must not be abused; it must not be abused especially for \u2018political\u2019 purposes.\u201d (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching on Unions: The Bottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
What is a union? It is an association of workers, and it is a right! (Pope St. John Paul II, 20)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope Francis succinctly stated, “There is no trade union without workers, and there are no free workers without trade unions.<\/strong>” (Address to Managers and Delegates of the Italian General Confederation of Labor)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Leo XIII summarizes:<\/span><\/p>\n“To sum it up, We may lay it down as a general and lasting law that working men\u2019s associations should be so organized and governed as to furnish the best and most suitable means for attaining what is aimed at, that is to say, for helping each individual member to better his condition to the utmost in body, soul, and property.” (Rerum Novarum, 57)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIs Your Company Paying \u201cJust\u201d Wages?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWork Ethic and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Great Resignation and the Rights of Workers<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nQuotes about Hard Work from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSt. Joseph the Worker and the Dignity of Work<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Dignity of Work by Mr. Michael S. Davison, III<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/dignity-of-work\/” button_text=”More About The Dignity of Work” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” 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global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
What is a Union?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>A union is an organization comprised of workers with shared goals usually pertaining to benefits, wages, working conditions, and other workplace issues. A union represents the workers with management, often negotiating contracts between them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
The Church answers the question ‘what is a union’ with, it is a right.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The concept of a union is no stranger to Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/p>\nDo Workers Have a Right to Form Unions?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes!<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe right to form unions is firmly rooted in Catholic social teaching \u2014 with even their historical antecedents confirmed: “History attests what excellent results were brought about by the artificers\u2019 guilds of olden times.” (Rerum Novarum, 49)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Leo XIII devotes much of his encyclical, Rerum Novarum<\/a>, which ushered in the modern Catholic social teaching, to the importance of unions. Of all the associations and organizations created in the service of mankind, \u201cThe most important of all are workingmen\u2019s unions\u201d and he hoped \u201cthat they should become more numerous and more efficient.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Rerum Novarum, 49)<\/a><\/p>\nThe Catholic Church’s Consistent Support for Labor Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The Catholic Church has consistently defended the right to unionize across multiple pontificates:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- “[L]abour unions…have always been encouraged and supported by the Church.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- “To the Encyclical of Leo, therefore, must be given this credit, that these associations of workers have so flourished everywhere.” (Pope Pius XI, 22)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- “Pope Leo XIII also defended the worker\u2019s natural right to enter into association with his fellows.” (Pope St. John XXIII, 22)<\/a>
<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nA century after Rerum Novarum<\/em>, Pope St. John Paul II reminded the world that \u201cThe right of association is a natural right of the human being\u201d. <\/strong>(Centesimus Annus, 7)<\/a> He further emphasized: “This means above all the right to establish professional associations of employers and workers, or of workers alone.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II also devoted major sections in Laborem Exercens<\/a> to the importance of unions:<\/span><\/p>\n\u201c[T]he modern unions grew up from the struggle of the workers\u2026to protect their just rights\u2026Their task is to defend the existential interests of workers in all sectors in which their rights are concerned.\u201d (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n“They are indeed a mouthpiece for the struggle for social justice, for the just rights of working people in accordance with their individual professions.” (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching unequivocally affirms the right to unionize<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n“Labour unions…have always been encouraged and supported by the Church”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThe Role of Government in Supporting Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Pope Leo XIII calls workers’ unions \u201creal societies\u201d. (Pope Leo XIII, 50)<\/a>\u00a0He explains:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cSince to enter into a \u2018society\u2019 of this kind is the natural right of man<\/strong>; and the State has for its office to protect natural rights, not to destroy them; and, if it forbid its citizens to form associations, it contradicts the very principle of its own existence.\u201d (Rerum Novarum, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II reinforces this, stating that \u201cthe formation of unions ‘cannot \u2026 be prohibited by the State’<\/strong>\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nHowever, the State can intervene when<\/strong> “men join together for purposes which are evidently bad, unlawful, or dangerous to the State”. (Pope Leo XIII, 52)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nEven here though, Pope Leo XIII cautions that “every precaution should be taken not to violate the rights of individuals and not to impose unreasonable regulations under pretense of public benefit.” (Rerum Novarum, 52)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nOverall, “The State should watch over these societies of citizens banded together in accordance with their rights, but it should not thrust itself into their peculiar concerns and their organization”. (Pope Leo XIII, 55)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nAs for unions \u2014 \u201cIn order that an association may be carried on with unity of purpose and harmony of action, its administration and government should be firm and wise.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 56)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe True Purpose of Labor Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Unions must serve the common good<\/strong> \u2014 avoiding damaging forms of self-interest or undue political manipulation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II warns that “Union demands cannot be turned into a kind of group or class ‘egoism’, although they can and should also aim at correcting \u2014 with a view to the common good of the whole of society.” (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n“[T]he role of unions is not to ‘play politics’.”<\/strong>\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Francis emphasizes that unions “are required to be a voice for the voiceless”. (Address to Managers and Delegates of the Italian General Confederation of Labor)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nUnions also “serve the development of an authentic culture of work and help workers to share in a fully human way in the life of their place of employment”. (Centesimus Annus, 15)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nWhat About Strikes?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Regarding strikes, Pope St. John Paul II notes:<\/span><\/p>\n“[W]orkers should be assured the right to strike, without being subjected to personal penal sanctions for taking part in a strike. While admitting that it is a legitimate means, we must at the same time emphasize that a strike remains, in a sense, an extreme means. It must not be abused; it must not be abused especially for \u2018political\u2019 purposes.\u201d (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching on Unions: The Bottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
What is a union? It is an association of workers, and it is a right! (Pope St. John Paul II, 20)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope Francis succinctly stated, “There is no trade union without workers, and there are no free workers without trade unions.<\/strong>” (Address to Managers and Delegates of the Italian General Confederation of Labor)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Leo XIII summarizes:<\/span><\/p>\n“To sum it up, We may lay it down as a general and lasting law that working men\u2019s associations should be so organized and governed as to furnish the best and most suitable means for attaining what is aimed at, that is to say, for helping each individual member to better his condition to the utmost in body, soul, and property.” (Rerum Novarum, 57)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIs Your Company Paying \u201cJust\u201d Wages?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWork Ethic and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Great Resignation and the Rights of Workers<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nQuotes about Hard Work from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSt. Joseph the Worker and the Dignity of Work<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Dignity of Work by Mr. Michael S. Davison, III<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/dignity-of-work\/” button_text=”More About The Dignity of Work” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” 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max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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<\/span>A union is an organization comprised of workers with shared goals usually pertaining to benefits, wages, working conditions, and other workplace issues. A union represents the workers with management, often negotiating contracts between them.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Church answers the question ‘what is a union’ with, it is a right.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The concept of a union is no stranger to Catholic social teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n The right to form unions is firmly rooted in Catholic social teaching \u2014 with even their historical antecedents confirmed: “History attests what excellent results were brought about by the artificers\u2019 guilds of olden times.” (Rerum Novarum, 49)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Leo XIII devotes much of his encyclical, Rerum Novarum<\/a>, which ushered in the modern Catholic social teaching, to the importance of unions. Of all the associations and organizations created in the service of mankind, \u201cThe most important of all are workingmen\u2019s unions\u201d and he hoped \u201cthat they should become more numerous and more efficient.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Rerum Novarum, 49)<\/a><\/p>\n A century after Rerum Novarum<\/em>, Pope St. John Paul II reminded the world that \u201cThe right of association is a natural right of the human being\u201d. <\/strong>(Centesimus Annus, 7)<\/a> He further emphasized: “This means above all the right to establish professional associations of employers and workers, or of workers alone.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Pope St. John Paul II also devoted major sections in Laborem Exercens<\/a> to the importance of unions:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c[T]he modern unions grew up from the struggle of the workers\u2026to protect their just rights\u2026Their task is to defend the existential interests of workers in all sectors in which their rights are concerned.\u201d (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n “They are indeed a mouthpiece for the struggle for social justice, for the just rights of working people in accordance with their individual professions.” (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching unequivocally affirms the right to unionize<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n “Labour unions…have always been encouraged and supported by the Church”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cSince to enter into a \u2018society\u2019 of this kind is the natural right of man<\/strong>; and the State has for its office to protect natural rights, not to destroy them; and, if it forbid its citizens to form associations, it contradicts the very principle of its own existence.\u201d (Rerum Novarum, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope St. John Paul II reinforces this, stating that \u201cthe formation of unions ‘cannot \u2026 be prohibited by the State’<\/strong>\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 7)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n However, the State can intervene when<\/strong> “men join together for purposes which are evidently bad, unlawful, or dangerous to the State”. (Pope Leo XIII, 52)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Even here though, Pope Leo XIII cautions that “every precaution should be taken not to violate the rights of individuals and not to impose unreasonable regulations under pretense of public benefit.” (Rerum Novarum, 52)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Overall, “The State should watch over these societies of citizens banded together in accordance with their rights, but it should not thrust itself into their peculiar concerns and their organization”. (Pope Leo XIII, 55)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n As for unions \u2014 \u201cIn order that an association may be carried on with unity of purpose and harmony of action, its administration and government should be firm and wise.\u201d (Pope Leo XIII, 56)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope St. John Paul II warns that “Union demands cannot be turned into a kind of group or class ‘egoism’, although they can and should also aim at correcting \u2014 with a view to the common good of the whole of society.” (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n “[T]he role of unions is not to ‘play politics’.”<\/strong>\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis emphasizes that unions “are required to be a voice for the voiceless”. (Address to Managers and Delegates of the Italian General Confederation of Labor)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Unions also “serve the development of an authentic culture of work and help workers to share in a fully human way in the life of their place of employment”. (Centesimus Annus, 15)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n “[W]orkers should be assured the right to strike, without being subjected to personal penal sanctions for taking part in a strike. While admitting that it is a legitimate means, we must at the same time emphasize that a strike remains, in a sense, an extreme means. It must not be abused; it must not be abused especially for \u2018political\u2019 purposes.\u201d (Laborem Exercens, 20)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis succinctly stated, “There is no trade union without workers, and there are no free workers without trade unions.<\/strong>” (Address to Managers and Delegates of the Italian General Confederation of Labor)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Leo XIII summarizes:<\/span><\/p>\n “To sum it up, We may lay it down as a general and lasting law that working men\u2019s associations should be so organized and governed as to furnish the best and most suitable means for attaining what is aimed at, that is to say, for helping each individual member to better his condition to the utmost in body, soul, and property.” (Rerum Novarum, 57)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Is Your Company Paying \u201cJust\u201d Wages?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Work Ethic and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Great Resignation and the Rights of Workers<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Quotes about Hard Work from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n St. Joseph the Worker and the Dignity of Work<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Dignity of Work by Mr. Michael S. Davison, III<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/dignity-of-work\/” button_text=”More About The Dignity of Work” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” 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max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Do Workers Have a Right to Form Unions?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes!<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe Catholic Church’s Consistent Support for Labor Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The Catholic Church has consistently defended the right to unionize across multiple pontificates:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
The Role of Government in Supporting Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Pope Leo XIII calls workers’ unions \u201creal societies\u201d. (Pope Leo XIII, 50)<\/a>\u00a0He explains:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe True Purpose of Labor Unions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Unions must serve the common good<\/strong> \u2014 avoiding damaging forms of self-interest or undue political manipulation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About Strikes?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Regarding strikes, Pope St. John Paul II notes:<\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching on Unions: The Bottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
What is a union? It is an association of workers, and it is a right! (Pope St. John Paul II, 20)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n