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 The Social Encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI


 
Since his election as Bishop of Rome and succesor of St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI has written two encyclicals dealing with social justice issues.  In these encyclicals, the Holy Father addresses the social concerns of humanity and calls us to live a life of service to all people created in the Divine image.  To download the social encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI, please click the links below.

 
 DEUS CARITAS EST

"Good Samaritan" by He Qi (Luke 10.29-37)

Pope Benedict XVI presented Deus Caritas Est on  December 25, 2005, at the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord at St. Peter's in Rome.  Meaning God is Love, this encyclical addresses the nature of love as expressed by God and humanity.  In the first half of the encyclical, Pope Benedict describes the various natures of love while emphasizing agape, self-sacrificing love, as the ultimate means of loving expression.  In the second half of Deus Caritas Est, the Holy Father addresses the nature of love as expressed through the actions of the Church.  In this section, Pope  Bendict stresses the need for social justice through the political action of citizens.  This document is available in English and Spanish.

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The newest social encyclical, Caritas in Veritate addresses current world issues in social justice.  This encyclical, meaning Charity in Truth,  weaves the current economic crisis and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching into a dynamic teaching on the Church's response to a suffering humanity. Major themes throughout this document are economics, solidarity, subsidiarity, and integral human development.  Also found within this encyclical is what many theologians are referring to as the newest principle of Catholic Social Teaching -- gratuitousness.  This principle highlights the incumbency for developed peoples to utilize wealth and resources to assist underveloped nations. Caritas in Veritate was presented June 29, 2009, at St. Peter's in Rome on the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.  It is available in English and Spanish.

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