Happy Labor Day!

As we prepare to celebrate Labor Day 2009 we can read what Pope Leo XIII had to say on labor and capital in his 1891 encylical, Rerum Novarum. With the continuation of the Industrial Revolution, improvements in technology and science, the creeping effects of communism and socialism, Pope Leo XIII felt the need to address the concerns of the worker and labor in general.

Leo XIII was no fan of liberal capitalism and he decried socialism. From wages to private property Leo XIII supported a holistic approach from a community perspective referred to as the common good. The Pope was concerned about callous employers mistreating the working man motivated by greed alone in the capitalistic model and his concerns about socialism were based on the lack of individual recognition and a system of class envy. He goes on to say that socialism is futile, unjust and empowers the state.

Pope Leo XIII was a big fan of the right to own private property. He states that by nature, every man has a right to own private property. He further states that this private property must have a usefullness both now and in the future.

Some of the Pope's strongest language concerns the need of the rich to have a sincere concern for the poor. He says that the rich and the manager that exercises pressure for the sake of gain upon the indigent and destitute taking profit from the need of another is condemned. Leo XIII exhorts those with power to exercise Christian charity especially to the poor, weak and marginalized.

Leo XIII does not exclude the Church herself from responsibility for the workingman and the poor. The church, he says, must not just care for the spiritual needs but also the temporal needs of all. The church has a duty to intervene on behalf of the poor.

The Pope also challenges the state to enforce laws evenly among the rich and the poor. Each and every person from every walk of life must be treated with fairness and justice. And he reminds everyone from every class that all should contribute to the common good. All contributions, while not equal are in fact significant.

Leo XIII did advocate the right of workers to strike. He deplored long, unsafe working hours, poor working conditions and insufficient wages. But he reminded all that strikes are no panacea and all can suffer, including the general public, during a prolonged strike.

The Holy Father believed in wages that are set based on free consent. He claims it is an injustice to refuse to pay the agreed wage to the worker and it is an injustice for the worker to not complete his work. Always balanced in his approach, Leo XIII had advice for management and labor.

Rerum Novarum reminded all to choose rightly and reasonably, avoid all prejudice and avoid the unnatural love of money. The encyclical encourages honesty, humane treatment for all and mutual cooperation among managers and laborers.

So on this Labor Day, we can read Rerum Novarum or reflect on its' general principles along with all the other social justice encylicals that grew from this historic document.

Remember, labor is dignified. Our work can be part of our prayer life. We can follow the motto of St. Benedict: ora et labora (prayer and work). May God Bless us all on this Labor Day 2009 as we ask Him to "prosper the work of our hands". Psalm 90.