Acton Institute explores legacy of Leo XIII's Rerum novarum
(Vatican Radio) 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s ground-breaking encyclical, Rerum novarum, which is universally recognized as having begun the tradition of Catholic social teaching in the modern age.
Renowned for its moral defense of private property and capital ownership, its equally strong stand against state socialism, and its unambiguous affirmation of the legitimacy of trade unions, as well as the unimpeachable rights of the traditional family, Rerum novarum addressed the demands for freedom and social justice in its time in a way that continues to challenge and inform social discourse a century and a quarter later.
The Rome Office of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty has sponsored and organized a major international conference under the title: “Freedom with Justice: Rerum novarum and the New Things of Our Time” to take place Wednesday, April 20th.
Acton’s Director of Research, Dr. Samuel Gregg, told Vatican Radio Rerum novarum articulated the indispensable moral framework in which any and all prudential discussion of economic, social and political questions must always and everywhere be conducted if they are to respond to and concord with the true and authentic vision of human flourishing the Church has always espoused and defended.
Click below to hear Dr. Gregg's extended conversation with Vatican Radio
“There are many things about Rerum novarum that are timeless,” said Gregg, “partly because the encyclical draws very specifically on natural law [and] Thomistic thought.”
Gregg went on to say, “If the conference allows the development and furthering of a coherent framework for thinking through often very controversial, difficult questions,” including economic inequality, globalization, and the nature of the free market for good and for ill, “but also a critique of the new emerging socialism and frankly populism that we see around much of the world – if we can help to contribute to a more stable, coherent framework in which things like reason, like empirical evidence are taken seriously – then that surely is a step forward.”
Acton’s 125th anniversary conference exploring Rerum novarum is fifth and final in the five-part series: One and Indivisible? The Relationship Between Religious and Economic Freedom. Featured speakers include the Theologian of the Papal Household, Fr. Wojciech Giertych, OP and Bishop Dominique Rey of the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, among many others.
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