As I sought to process the meaning and impact of the election of our new Pope, and the significance behind his taking the name Leo XIV, I found myself drawn to re-read Rerum Novarum, the landmark encyclical written by Pope Leo XIII in May 1891.
In 1891, society was reeling under significant social and economic challenges brought on by the Industrial Revolution and the political movements toward socialism. Societies were experiencing unprecedented change. Specifically written “to speak on the condition of the working class” Pope Leo XIII brought the Catholic Church into the worldwide dialogue of his time. He wrote, “here is general agreement, that some opportune remedy must be found quickly for the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class.”
Pope Leo XIII focused on the issues of the day, addressing inequality, oppression, division, and injustice. Affirming the role of private ownership, he highlighted the scriptural call to use these gifts for the benefit of others, with special care for those most in need.
Rerum Novarum became the blueprint for over a century of Catholic social teaching, guiding our individual and collective lives. It speaks of the profound dignity within each person—rich and poor like—inherent and innate as designed by God. Our individual behavior, and the role of government and communities, are to uphold this fundamental dignity.
Clemens Sedmak in his book Enacting Catholic Social Tradition explains that “human dignity is precious because it is fragile—that is, it can be violated, trampled upon, not properly honored.” He explains, “there are many ways to violate a person’s dignity—humiliating, objectifying, degrading, and dehumanizing are methods for denying the status of a person.”
While human dignity is the foundational status given to all by God, it is expressed and enacted within social and interpersonal relationships. Through complex and imperfect relationships, Sedmak suggests we pay attention to “the ‘how’ over ‘what’—of ‘how things are done’ over ‘what is being done.’” An example of this comes from a volunteer in our SVdP Daily Outreach Ministry. In the process of organizing many people who come for assistance, the volunteer inadvertently skipped over a man on the list of guests to meet with one of the SVdP Advocates. When he was discovered still waiting after everyone had been helped, the volunteer apologized profusely. He smiled and said, “I didn’t mind waiting. There is so much love in this room.” Dignity was manifested.
Pope Leo XIV accepts his election at a time that parallels the days of Leo XIII—a time of global social and economic challenges: a time of unprecedented change. We will look for the teachings and actions of Pope Leo XIV as he speaks directly to the needs of our time. He will, no doubt, take up the mantle of protecting and upholding the dignity of all God’s people—naming and challenging ways human dignity may be violated today.
- Pope John Paul II wrote of the impact of “structures of sin” in his 1987 encyclical, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis. He articulated the impact of sin embedded in social, economic, and political systems—leading to the suffering of the most vulnerable.
- In 2009, Pope Benedict spoke directly to the impact of inequality on the violation of human dignity in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate.
- Pope Francis emphasized the importance of a “politics of dignity” in his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
Grounded in Catholic social teaching, Sedmak suggests dignity is an “active social principle.” We are invited to be attentive and practice upholding dignity at all times, especially when the circumstances are difficult. This “deep practice of human dignity” can transform our social perspective and our outlook on the world.
May we, together, look into our own hearts and actions to uncover the small and large ways we violate the dignity of another.
May we, together, look into our church culture, identifying solitary or consistent ways we harm the dignity of another.
May we, together, use our voices and actions to create a society grounded in compassion, forgiveness, and love—upholding all as sacred, holy people.
Let us do this together—imperfectly, but with intention and faith.
Janice Andersen
Director of Christian Life