Oldal 28 [28]
1. INTRODUCTION
Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum,” published in 1891, aimed to
provide a Christian perspective on social issues arising from the Industrial
Revolution. Although the encyclical does not explicitly address environmental
protection, it holds significant implications for sustainability. Its central themes
include the common good, the purpose and distribution of resources, the
responsibilities and duties of political and social communities, as well as
human nature and human rights, all of which are relevant to sustainable
development and creation protection.
In his encyclical Quadragesimo Anno (1931),°° Pope Pius XI discussed the
benefits of Rerum Novarum to the Church and society, defends its doctrine,
and further develops points related to the social and economic question,
including a judgment on Socialism and a call for the Christian reform of
morals. While Quadragesimo Anno addresses human relations within society
and the proper use of resources in an economic context, it does not explicitly
delve into the theological or philosophical connection between human beings
and nature in the way that later encyclicals like Laudato Si’ or other Church
documents might.The focus remains on social justice and economic order
rather than environmental stewardship or the intrinsic value of creation.
Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) by Pope John XXIII,”! while primarily
focused on establishing universal peace in truth, justice, charity, and liberty,
does touch upon the connection between human beings and the natural order,
albeit indirectly through the lens of moral order and the common good. In
his encyclical Pacem in Terris (1963), Pope John XXIII stated that a marvellous
order predominates in the world of living beings and in the forces of nature,
is the plain lesson which the progress of modern research and the discoveries
of technology teach us. And it is part of the greatness of man that he can
appreciate that order, and devise the means for harnessing those forces for his
own benefit.”
In the encyclical Gaudium et Spes,*the Second Vatican Council disclosed
the following: “By its very nature private property has a social quality which
*® Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum (encyclical, 15 May 1891), Acta Sanctae Sedis 23 (1891):
641-70, https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_
enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html.
5 Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 177-285.
" Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris (encyclical, 11 April 1963), Acta Apostolicae Sedis 55 (1963):
257-304, https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/hu/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_
enc_11041963_pacem.html.
The encyclical Pacem in Terris has the great merit of clearly pointing out the environmental
damage caused by weapons. Chapter 8 Teachings of the Catholic Church on Environmental
Harm Caused by Military Operations In: Lorand Ujhazi, “Military Ethics and the Changing
Nature of Warfare,” chap. 128-52.
3 Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern
World (7 December 1965), Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, http://www.vatican.va/
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