Populorum Progressio (On The Development of Peoples)

POPULORUM PROGRESSIO(On The Development of

Peoples)

Catholic Social Teaching Report of Mr. Jasper Dolor

AB Religious EducationMary Help of Christians College -

Canlubang

Historical Note:•In this encyclical, Pope Paul VI enlarges the scope of Leo XIII’s treatment of the struggle between the rich and the poor classes to encompass the conflict between rich and poor nations.

Historical Note:•Populorum Progressio (March 26, 1967) is the first encyclical devoted entirely to the international development issue. The Pope stresses the economic sources of war and highlights economic justice as the basis for peace.

Historical Note:•More so than any of his predecessors, Pope Paul VI explicitly criticizes basic tents of capitalism, including the profit motive and the unrestricted right of private property.

Major Areas of Concern:•Human Aspirations•Structural Injustice•Church and Development•New Humanism•Common Good•Economic Planning•International Trade•Peace

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentA.The Data of the Problem1.Human Aspirations (#6)2.The means inherited from the past are not lacking but are insufficient for the present situation (#7).

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentA.The Data of the Problem3. Social conflicts now have a worldwide dimension (#9).

4. Structures have not adapted themselves to the new conditions (#10).

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentB. The Church and Development1. Responding to the teaching of Jesus, the Church must foster human progress (#12).

2. World demands action based on a vision of the economic, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the situation (#13).

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentB. The Church and Development3. The Church was “founded to establish on earth the Kingdom of Heaven” (#13).

4. Development cannot be limited to economic growth but looks to total human potential (#14).

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentB. The Church and Development5. People have a right and duty to develop themselves; as beings with a spiritual dimension, people should orient their lives to God, creating a transcendent humanism (#’s 15 – 16).

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentB. The Church and Development6. Each person is a member of society (# 17).

7. Work is a necessity but greed must be avoided (#18).

8. Avarice is the most obvious form of moral underdevelopment (#19).

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentB. The Church and Development9. A new humanism embracing higher values of love, friendship, prayer, and contemplation is needed for a full and authentic development (#20).

Contents:I.Humanity’s Complete DevelopmentC. Action to be Undertaken1. Universal purpose of created things (#’s 22 – 24)

2. Industrialization (#’s 25 – 26).

3. Urgency to the task (#’s 29 – 32).

4. Programs & Planning (#’s 33 – 42).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityA. Aid for the Poor1. The problem: hunger, malnutrition, stunted physical and mental growth (# 45).

2. Response demands generosity, sacrifice, and efforts by the rich: a solidarity that costs (# 46).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityA. Aid for the Poor3. Advanced countries should offer financial and educational assistance (# 47).

4. “The superfluous wealth of rich countries should be placed at the service of poor nations” (# 49).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityA. Aid for the Poor5. Recommendations: support Food & Agriculture Organization; establish a World Fund (money from arms race to aid destitute); worldwide collaboration and dialogue (#’s 52 – 54).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityA. Aid for the Poor6. Public and private extravagance of wealth is an unbearable scandal (# 53).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityB. Equity in Trade Relations1. The problem: industrialized nations export primarily manufactured goods; developing nations raw goods; price of manufactured goods is increasing; raw materials are subject to wide price fluctuation... (# 57).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityB. Equity in Trade Relations2. Free trade is no longer capable of governing international relations (# 58).

3. The fundamental principles of liberalism are in question (# 58).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityB. Equity in Trade Relations4. ‘On the condition of Labor’ held that if the positions of the contracting parties are unequal, the contract is void (# 59).

5. Freedom of trade is fair only if it is subject to social justice (# 59).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityB. Equity in Trade Relations6. Discussion and negotiation are necessary to reach equality of opportunity (# 61).

7. Nationalism and racism are major obstacles of justice (#62).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityC. Universal Charity1. “The world is sick”: lack of concern for others (# 66).

2. It is the duty of people to welcome others, especially youth and migrant workers (# 67).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityD. Development is the New Name for Peace

3. International collaboration on a worldwide scale for justice is needed (# 78).

4. The hour for action is NOW (# 80).

Contents:II. Development in SolidarityC. Universal Charity3. Business people in developing nations should be initiators of social progress & human advancement (# 70).

4. Sincere dialogue & affection are needed (# 73).


1. Peace is built in pursuit of God’s order (# 76).

2. People themselves have a prime responsibility for their own development (# 77).


5. Role of lay persons: “to infuse a Christian spirit into the mentality, customs, laws and structures” of their communities and nations (# 81).


6. Catholics should support development efforts generously (# 81).

7. To struggle against injustice is to promote the common good (# 82).


8. Peace is not the mere absence of war (# 83).

Summary & Implications:In ‘The Development of Peoples’, Pope Paul VI speaks to the challenge of development. He explores the nature of poverty and the conflicts it produces. He articulates the role of the Church in the process of development and sketches a Christian vision of development.

The Pope calls for urgent action which respects the universal purpose of created things. He advocates economic planning and aid to promote development. Paul VI urges equity in trade relations as well as universal charity.

Summary & Implications:

He concludes by terming “development” the new name for peace and exhorts all Christians to strive for justice.

Summary & Implications:

• Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret (DeBerri E. & Hug J.) pp. 68 – 72

• Social Encyclicals: Commentary & Critique (Salgado P., O.P.) pp. 238 – 304

Sources:

Populorum Progressio (On The Development of Peoples)

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