Pojęcie prawa w encyklice Rerum novarum
THE NOTION OF LAW IN ENCYCLICAL RERUM NOVARUM

Summary/Abstract: In the encyclical Rerum Novarum, the notion of law was considered as a Marxian ideology that preached the end of the property of bourgeoisie and reflected on other political and social issues. The encyclical’s purpose was to object to the growing ideology of socialism which sought to abolish ownership. Pope Leon XIII gave voice to social tensions that were enhancing public dismay. Not only did he deny the Marxian demands, but he also proposed a set of new solutions. A standard of the Catholic Church is not to interrupt earthly life; however, when it comes to gross injustice or dynamic transitions, it is possible to give the clergy a voice. Pope has stated that social order is based on truth and justice. Law – understood as a natural component of human life – should be an expression of service of the government that leads society to wealth. The paper is divided into the following sections: a short presentation of how Marx was describing ownership, a demonstration of the Catholic Church’s responsibility for social teachings, and how Leon XIII described ownership in the light of natural law and why denying it is highly unjust, and teaching positive law should be understood properly. The paper concludes with a set of reflections on how the encyclical is still relevant today.

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