Resources on Catholic Social Teaching

The starting point for understanding Catholic Social Teaching is the recently published (2004) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, an excellent summary of the basis and extent of the tradition.

The tradition has mainly been articulated through papal encyclicals:

• Rerum Novarum (1891, Leo XIII)
• Pacem Dei (1920, Benedict XV)
• Quadragesimo Anno (1931, Pius XI)
• Summi Pontificatus (1939, Pius XII)
• Mater et Magistra (1961, John XXIII)
• Pacem in Terris (1963, John XXIII)
• Populorum Progressio (1967, Paul VI)
• Humanae Vitae (1968, Paul VI)
• Octagesima Adveniens (1971, Paul VI)
• Evangelii Nuntiandi (1975, Paul VI)
• Dives in Misericordia (1980, John Paul II)
• Laborem Exercens (1981, John Paul II)
• Familiaris Consortio (1982, John Paul II)
• Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (1987, John Paul II)
• Centesimus Annus (1991, John Paul II)
• Veritatis Splendor (1993, John Paul II)
• Evangelium Vitae (1995, John Paul II)
• Deus Caritas Est (2005, Benedict XVI)
• Caritas in Veritate (2009, Benedict XVI)
  

The Social dimensions of Catholic Doctrine also featured prominently at the Second Vatican Council, especially in the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes).