A Brief History of the Events Leading up to Rerum Novarum

Film Focus: This video discusses the papal document, Rerum Novarum detailing key points as well as situating it historically as a response to the Communist Manifesto.

Text Focus: Pgs. 265-269

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is Rerum Novarum a new moment in Catholic Social Teaching?
2. How did Rerum Novarum agree with the Communist Manifesto?
3. How did Karl Marx view religion? How is this different from what Pope Leo XIII proposes?
4. What are some of the principles of Rerum Novarum which are spoken about in this video?
5. Do you think that the principles of Rerum Novarum have been adequately enacted or is there still more work to do?

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