In the Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII makes several validated points in concordance with the time in which it was written. The Industrial Revolution, specifically, was having a huge impact on the social conditions in Europe. The rights and interests of laborers were put down for the betterment of state economies and owner privileges. The role of the Church was also changing. No longer was it a strong influence on the various European states, but now was needed to shape its role as a voice for the new oppressed coming out of the Industrial Revolution. Lastly, Pope Leo XIII calls for a dramatic social change. The new state heads and industry tycoons are to be held responsible for the declin ...view middle of the document...
Bill could give each of them about $39,000 and still have money pouring in to his personal accounts. Furthermore, according to the people at Save the Children it costs $240 to sponsor one child for a year. This means that Bill could save 125.66 million of the children. Of course, there are only 58.5 million people, adults included, in all of Ethiopia. Now that just knocks me off my rocker and makes me very angry. There is no justice here! There were similar situations such as these during the Industrial Revolution of Pope Leo's time. Allowing an elite upper class to amass the world's wealth only serves to leave behind a mass of suffering laborers at the upper classes' mercy. I do believe that God would be appalled. Pope Leo XIII was too. He rejects these extreme social states and calls on the state to protect the interests of all, not just its rulers. He also calls on the industry tycoons to treat the laboring class with more dignity and respect. They are not a commodity to be used as wagers, contracts, or deal breakers. The working class is the backbone of any economy, because without them the great companies would not succeed. So because of rising issues regarding socialistic and capitalistic practices in the new age of industry, Pope Leo XIII calls for the Church to take on a new role. There is strength in numbers and strength in the religious voices, especially since many were members of the Christian religion. Due to the changing social conditions, Pope Leo XIII called on the Church to take an active role in declaring the injustices that were being served on masses of people. These people being...