This volume contains the ten documents which together constitute the most authoritative and most recent social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. In the twenty years 1963-1983, the moral dilemmas and choices facing our world have multiplied and become both urgent and more complex. The
Popes have proclaimed the Christian perspective on these issues, responding to the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel and within the tradition of the social teaching of the Church.
These statements treat of questions such as the organisation of the world of work, the relationship between worker and employer, the ownership of property; the rights and duties of individuals in society and of the state towards the individual and towards other states; the fundamental question of justice, particularly in relation to the third world countries in the 'North-South' confrontation; the search for peace.
Michael Walsh has provided a succinct and perceptive general introduction, which situates these statements within the historical context in which they were written, and traces the development of papal thinking on the major issues of our time. A detailed analytical index, and brief introductions to each document add to the value of this collection.