Catholic Social Teachings (CST), also known as the Social Doctrine of the Church, is the Church's official body of teachings on social matters. This doctrine began in the late 19th century, responding to social issues arising from the Industrial Revolution. Since then, the Church's magisterium has continuously addressed new social challenges through these teachings.
The Industrial Revolution's transformative impact began with James Watt's invention of an efficient steam engine in 1776. This innovation led to the development of machinery for mass production, standardizing production and reducing costs. However, this efficiency came at a significant social cost, particularly for factory workers.
Previously, workers were often artisans, mastering their craft and taking pride in their work. In contrast, factory workers became mere cogs in the industrial machinery, with the factory, not the artisan, as the production agent. This marked a fundamental shift in the labor-worker relationship.
This new labor model birthed capitalism, an economic system where capital generated significant labor and profit. Early capitalism led to a distinct type of poverty among factory workers. Unregulated, it left wages to market forces, often resulting in lower wages and longer working hours as unskilled labor, including women and children, entered the workforce. Pope Leo XIII likened the workers' condition to "little better than slavery."
Socialism emerged as a response, advocating for transferring factory ownership to the state, empowering the working class, and dismissing religion as an obstacle to material development. The rise of Socialism intensified social conflicts, with worker uprisings turning streets into battlegrounds.
Faced with these challenges, the Church faced a dilemma. Should Catholics embrace socialism, accept the status quo with Christian virtues, or remain aloof from secular social issues? Was it the Pope's role to intervene or merely to urge prayer and adherence to commandments?
In 1891, Pope Leo XIII addressed these issues in his encyclical "Rerum novarum" (Latin for "new matters"). He analyzed the social problems, their causes, and potential solutions, outlining a path forward.
Building on "Rerum novarum," the Church has since issued hundreds of documents through popes and episcopal conferences, continually addressing evolving social issues. Decades later, these teachings, aimed at Catholics and all people of goodwill, are recognized as Catholic Social Teachings or the Social Doctrine of the Church.