Workers

Below is the 24^th in the August Catholic Social Teaching series: Workers

Modern Catholic Social Teaching began with Pope Leo XIII’s concern for workers at the beginning of the industrial revolution 125 year ago.  The plight of workers has remained a central theme in all the years since then.  Workers have dignity and rights and are not merely a means for the state and the economy to thrive.

Teresita Scully, MTS

“It is one of the ironies of history that the quintessentially “liberal” idea of “social justice,” as it was to become (in American terminology), should have been originated by an ardent conservative.”

The Origins of Social Justice: Taparelli d’Azeglio - Intercollegiate Studies Institute

With the Industrial Revolution, caring for the workers while maintaining the right of the employers, owners, became a concern of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIII’s was the first to put the Church’s belief into an encyclical, Rerum Novarum.

“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.” Rerum Novarum Summary by CAPP-USA

The US Catholic Church of Bishops write: “…If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.”

But the concept of social justice goes back centuries, many, many centuries.

Scripture

·         In Deuteronomy 14:28-29 we read: “The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others.”

·         Deuteronomy 5:13-15: The Sabbath is for everyone—all are allowed to rest from their work.

·         In Sirach, we find a harsh statement: Sirach 34:26-27: To deprive an employee of wages is to commit murder.

·         James 5:1-6: Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God.

Tradition

"Work should be the setting for this rich personal growth, where many aspects of life enter into play: creativity, planning for the future, developing our talents, living out our values, relating to others, giving glory to God. It follows that, in the reality of today's global society, it is essential that 'we continue to prioritize the goal of access to steady employment for everyone,'

"Growth in justice requires more than economic growth, while presupposing such growth: it requires decisions, programs, mechanisms and processes specifically geared to a better distribution of income, the creation of sources of employment and an integral promotion of the poor which goes beyond a simple welfare mentality….”

There is so much more to learn about workers, that I highly recommend you read more here:

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

I encourage you to watch the video here