RERUM NOVARUM. - Encyclical de conditione opificum of Leo XIII of 15 May 1891, thus known from the words with which it begins; it is the most popular of the modern social encyclicals.
Political problems posed by the events following the French Revolution, economic problems resulting from great capitalistic industrialism, social problems emerging under many aspects, doctrines of opposite orientation, from an extreme individualistic liberalism to an extreme collectivistic socialism, engaged in the last century the attention of the pastors of souls and of Catholics in general, ecclesiastics or laymen, more sensitive to their duties toward their children and brethren (to name but a few: Bishop von Ketteler, Cardinals Mermillod and Manning; Le Play, Périn, Lacordaire, Montalembert, Ozanam, Decurtins, Lorin, Pottier, Vogelsang, Hitze, Toniolo, etc.). On the social question two currents took shape, the one tending to be conservative, the other tending to be reformist, which was later consolidated in "Christian democracy" (v.).
Leo XIII, who had already paved the way for a subsequent and decisive intervention with certain encyclicals (such as those on the foundations of human society, the family and Marriage [Arcanum, 1880]; on the origin of civil power [Diuturnum, 1881], on the order of its relations with the Church [Immortale Dei, 1885]; on the principal duties of the Christian citizen [Sapientiae christianae, 1890]; against the errors of socialism [Quod apostolici muneris, 1878] and on the doctrine of human liberty [Libertas, 1888]) published in 1891 the R. n.
The latter deliberately treats the whole workers' question, in order to bring fully into relief the principles by which, according to justice and equity, the question itself is to be resolved, of which the Pontiff does not conceal the difficulty and the dangerousness, and he sets forth preliminarily its essence and its causes. He passes then to the criticism of the socialist solution, in order to reject it as harmful to the worker inasmuch as it deprives him of his right to savings, violates private property, which is a right of nature, alters the natural competences of the family and of the State concerning the maintenance of offspring, and would lead to social disorder. Passing to the Catholic solution, he sets forth the threefold work of the Church, of the State and of those concerned through intermediate bodies. With regard to the Church, the necessity and the character of its intervention in the question are set forth, the moral doctrines taught in regard to social relations, its moderating action on individuals and on society, and the beneficence performed by it. As regards the State, the necessity of its work is pointed out, its generic tasks are indicated (pursuit of the common good with particular regard for the needy classes) and then its specific tasks in the matter of the defense of private property, of strikes, of Sunday rest, of the duration of work especially with regard to women and children, of the just wage, of the savings of workers and the related investment in small properties. Finally he insists on the work of those concerned themselves,
« RERUM NOVARUM » - Workers' delegations gathered in Rome for the 60th anniversary of the R. n. (15 May 1951).
he recalls the ancient meritorious guilds of arts and crafts, he outlines the right of association with its limits and he sketches the Christian corporative movement. "Let each one do the part that befits him, and let him not delay, for delay could make more difficult the cure of an evil already so grave. Let governments apply themselves to it with good laws and wise measures; let capitalists and employers always keep their duties before their eyes; let the proletarians, who are directly concerned, do what they can within the limits of justice; and since the true and radical remedy can come only from religion, let all be persuaded of the necessity of returning to the Christian life, without which even the expedients reputed most effective will be insufficient for the need."
The magnificent and incisive picture traced by the great Pontiff remains always alive and timely, in its general lines, for the immortal doctrine that it teaches. Developments and adaptations to changing social conditions have been brought about by further manifestations of the Supreme Magisterium (v. QUADRAGESIMO ANNO) down to the reigning pontiff Pius XII (v.).
In truth the encyclical R. n., while the maxims of liberalism were tottering, which for a long time had hampered the effective work of rulers, moved the peoples themselves to promote social policy with greater sincerity and greater commitment, and induced the best among Catholics to lend in this their useful cooperation to the powers of the State; so that often they proved themselves in the legislative chambers illustrious supporters of this new policy; indeed the modern social laws themselves were not infrequently proposed to the votes of the representatives of the nation and their execution was requested and urged by ministers of the Church imbued with the Leonine teachings. "But even if the laws on labor do not everywhere and in everything accord with the norms of Leo XIII, it cannot however be denied that in many points an echo of the encyclical R. n. is felt, to which therefore the improved condition of the workers is in no small part to be attributed" (cf. Quadragesimo anno: AAS, 23 [1931], pp. 185-86). Christian workers therefore rightly are accustomed to commemorate as their feast the date of 15 May.