Rerum Novarum - Catholic Social Teaching

Film Focus Point: This program provides very good historical background on Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum and provides a rather thorough explanation of the significance of this document.

Text Focus Point: Pages 217-218

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is the historical milieu of Rerum Novarum important to understanding Pope Leo XIII’s concerns?
2. What is the relation between poverty and worker rights? Why is the Church by necessity so interested in this topic?
3. Bishop Dom Helder Camara said, “When I fed the poor they called me a saint. But when I asked why they are poor they called me a communist.” What did he mean? What were other notable quotes from this program?