Misplaced Pages

Sollicitudo rei socialis Latin for 'The Social Concern' Encyclical of Pope John Paul II
Signature date	30 December 1987
Subject	On the twentieth anniversary of the encyclical Populorum progressio
Number	7 of 14 of the pontificate
Text	In Latin In English
← Redemptoris Mater Redemptoris missio →

Part of a series on
Catholic social teaching
Emblem of the Holy See
Overview
Social teachings of the papacy Distributism Solidarity Subsidiarity Tranquillitas ordinis
Pope Leo XIII Rerum novarum
Pope Pius XI Divini redemptoris Mit brennender Sorge Non abbiamo bisogno Quadragesimo anno
Pope Pius XII Social teachings
Pope John XXIII Mater et magistra Pacem in terris
Second Vatican Council Dignitatis humanae Gaudium et spes
Pope Paul VI Octogesima adveniens Populorum progressio
Pope John Paul II Laborem exercens Sollicitudo rei socialis Centesimus annus Evangelium vitae
Pope Benedict XVI Caritas in veritate
Pope Francis Evangelii gaudium Laudato si' Fratelli tutti
Other figures Gaspard Mermillod René de La Tour du Pin Heinrich Pesch Dorothy Day Óscar Romero Joseph Bernardin Hilaire Belloc G. K. Chesterton
Catholicism portal
v t e

Sollicitudo rei socialis (Latin: The Social Concern) is an encyclical letter promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 30 December 1987, on the twentieth anniversary of Populorum progressio. It deals once more with the theme of development along two fundamental lines:

1. the failed development of the third world and
2. the meaning of, conditions and requirements for a development of a worthy person.

The encyclical presents differences between progress and development, and insists that true development cannot be limited to the multiplication of goods and services, but must contribute to the fullness of being a human being. In this way the moral nature of real development is meant to be shown clearly.

The teaching and spreading of her social doctrine are part of the Church's evangelizing mission. And since it is a doctrine aimed at guiding people's behavior, it consequently gives rise to a "commitment to justice", according to each individual's role, vocation and circumstances. (Para.41) The condemnation of evils and injustices is also part of that ministry of evangelization in the social field which is an aspect of the Church's prophetic role. But it should be made clear that proclamation is always more important than condemnation... (Para. 41)

The pope continues in this letter his development of the term "structures of sin", used in his earlier apostolic exhortation, Reconciliatio et paenitentia (1984). "Structures of sin" are defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as "social situations or institutions that are contrary to the divine law".

References

1. John Paul II (1987), Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, paragraph 36, accessed 1 June 2024
2. Holy See (2005), Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, question 400, italics in original, accessed 1 June 2024

External links

• Text of Sollicitudo Rei Socialis

v t e Pope John Paul II
Born Karol Józef Wojtyła, 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005 Pope (1978–2005) Archbishop of Kraków (1963–1978)
Timeline Emilia Wojtyła (mother) Karol Wojtyła (father) Early life Papal conclave Assassination attempt Death and funeral dignitaries Beatification and canonization Acts as pope Apologies Cardinals created People venerated People beatified Saints canonized Papal mediation in the Beagle conflict Pastoral visits Ireland Nicaragua United Kingdom World Day of the Sick World Youth Day Relations Eastern Orthodox Church Judaism Other topics Abbà Pater Criticism Family home (historic house) Health John Paul II Foundation Monuments Totus tuus
Bibliography Teachings Apostolic constitutions Sacrae disciplinae leges Pastor bonus Ex corde Ecclesiae Fidei depositum Universi Dominici gregis Apostolic exhortations Catechesi tradendae Familiaris consortio Redemptionis Donum Reconciliatio et paenitentia Christifideles laici Redemptoris custos Pastores dabo vobis Ecclesia in Africa Vita consecrata Une espérance nouvelle pour le Liban Ecclesia in America Ecclesia in Asia Ecclesia in Oceania Ecclesia in Europa Pastores gregis Ecclesiastical letters Dominicae cenae Salvifici doloris Mulieris dignitatem Ordinatio sacerdotalis Tertio millennio adveniente Letter to Women Ad tuendam fidem Novo millennio ineunte Misericordia Dei Rosarium Virginis Mariae The Rapid Development Encyclicals Redemptor hominis Dives in misericordia Laborem exercens Slavorum Apostoli Dominum et vivificantem Redemptoris Mater Sollicitudo rei socialis Redemptoris missio Centesimus annus Veritatis splendor Evangelium vitae Ut unum sint Fides et ratio Ecclesia de Eucharistia Books Love and Responsibility Crossing the Threshold of Hope Memory and Identity Other writings The Jeweler's Shop Theology of the Body "Roman Triptych" Testament Documents endorsed Catechism of the Catholic Church Quattuor abhinc annos We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah Dominus Iesus Related Papal Concert to Commemorate the Shoah Political views Scriptural Way of the Cross Eponymous places In popular culture Secondary schools United States Huntsville, AL Boca Raton, FL Tallahassee, FL Slidell, LA Hyannis, MA Greenville, NC Royersford, PA Hendersonville, TN Corpus Christi, TX Plano, TX Schertz, TX Dumfries, VA Lacey, WA Other countries Australia: Sydney Canada: London Canada: Toronto New Zealand: Greymouth New Zealand: Rotorua Poland: Tarnów Colleges Universities John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin John Paul II Institute John Paul II Minor Seminary John Paul the Great Catholic University Pontifical University of John Paul II Pope John Paul II College of Education Airports Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport João Paulo II Airport John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice Bridges El Puente del Papa John Paul II Bridge, Puławy Juan Pablo II Bridge Third Millennium John Paul II Bridge Other places Saint John Paul II National Shrine Ioannes Paulus II Peninsula John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue John Paul II Foundation for Research and Treatment Museum of John Paul II and Primate Wyszyński Museum of John Paul II Collection Pope John Paul II Park Reservation Films Pope John Paul II The Papal Chase Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II The Pope's Toilet Nine Days that Changed the World TV miniseries Pope John Paul II Karol: A Man Who Became Pope Karol: The Pope, The Man In Search of the Pope's Children Other media The Planet Is Alive...Let It Live! Red Rabbit The Pope's Children Credo: John Paul II

This article related to an official document of the Catholic Church is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

• 1987 in Christianity
• 1987 documents
• Documents of the Catholic Social Teaching tradition
• Papal encyclicals
• Documents of Pope John Paul II
• December 1987 events
• Catholic Church document stubs