Laborem exercens: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Encyclical by Pope John Paul II, on Catholic social teaching}}

{{italic title}}

{{Infobox Encyclical

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| date = 14 September 1981

| pope = John Paul II

| papal_coat_of_arms = JohnCoat paulof 2arms coaof Ioannes Paulus II.svg

| pages =

| number = 3 of 14

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==Context==

It had become customary for [[pope]]s to publish new writings on social issues at ten-year intervals since ''Rerum novarum'', in order to keepdevelop the teachings relevantin toconcert with the evolving social context as a result of the industrial and political revolutions of the current20th timesCentury. ''Laborem exercens'' was written in honor of the 90th anniversary, and makes reference to ''Rerum novarum'' and to several of the subsequent writings.

The pope was not able to issue the document on the May 15 anniversary because of the [[Pope John Paul II assassination attempt|assassination attempt]] two days earlier.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/13/newsid_2512000/2512533.stm "1981: Thousands see Pope shot in Rome."] ''BBC News: On This Day''. Retrieved 26 Dec 2011.</ref> He published ''Laborem exercens'' a few months later, in September 1981.

Some of the trends mentioned by John -Paul II within the encyclical are:

* Increased use of technology, especially information technology, which John Paul predicted would bring changes comparable to the [[industrialIndustrial revolutionRevolution]] of the previous century.

* Environmental issues. The pope noted that some resources, particularly oil, were becoming scarce. Also, the need to protect the [[Natural environment|environment]] was becoming apparent.

* People in the developing world wanted to be more involved in the global economy. John Paul welcomed this trend, but feared it would bring unemployment for many skilled workers as work was distributed more widely.

Not mentioned in the encyclical, but surely in John Paul’s mind as he addressed the question of work, was the foundation of [[Solidarity (Polish trade union)|Solidarity]], an independent trade union with strong Catholic roots, in his native Poland in 1980. John Paul knew [[Lech WalesaWałęsa]], Solidarity’s founder, and had met with him more than once during a homecoming visit in 1979.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4142268.stm "Analysis: Solidarity's Legacy."] ''BBC News''. Retrieved 24 Dec 2011.</ref>

==Dignity of work==

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===Unions===

John Paul re-asserted the importance of workers forming [[trade union|unions]]. This right is not limited to industrial workers, but belongs to every class and profession. He urges unions to view their struggle as a positive struggle for social justice, rather than a struggle against an opponent. He affirmed the right of unions to [[strike action|strike]]—"This method is recognized by Catholic social teaching as legitimate in the proper conditions and within just limits" — but—but "the strike weapon" is an extreme means that should rarely be used.<ref>''Laborem exercens,'' §20</ref>

===Dignity of agricultural work===

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[[Category:1981 documents]]

[[Category:1981 in Christianity]]

[[Category:September 1981 events]]