NEW DELHI, May 25 -- On 15 May 1891, Pope Leo XIII gave to the world his path-breaking and visionary social Encyclical ' Rerum Novarum (meaning 'of revolutionary change') or 'Rights and Duties of Capital and Labour'. That Encyclical is still widely hailed as the start of Catholic Social Teaching; however with Pope John XXIII and the teachings of Vatican II and with Pope Francis at the helm today, greater emphasis is given to the social engagement of the Church in today's world.
In 'Rerum Novarum' Pope Leo XIII delves on six interrelated themes (i) the need for cooperation between the classes: both the employers and the workers should respect each other(ii) there is dignity in work; but the workers must be provided with reasonable hours of ...