The Papal Encyclicals: 1878–1903
Overview
For nearly 2,000 years the bishops of Rome have addressed theological topics of especially timely concern through the circulation of papal letters. These letters became known as encyclicals, and since the later eighteenth century have become increasingly important in the popes’ exercise of their teaching office. In the mid-nineteenth century, the encyclical letter began to take on its contemporary form as a theological treatise applying Christian teaching to immediate circumstances. And in the twentieth century papal encyclicals have emerged as some of the most important theology produced worldwide. The Papal Encyclicals: 1740–1981 (5 vols.) presents 280 encyclicals in English from Benedict XIV to John Paul II. These letters approach matters of faith and morals, and answer important questions on dogmatics and social and ethical issues of the society during the time they were composed. Whether a student, scholar, or layperson, this collection is essential for studying and searching the papal teaching of the past 250 years.
Top Highlights
“No human law can abolish the natural and original right of marriage, nor in any way limit the chief and principal purpose of marriage ordained by God’s authority from the beginning: ‘Increase and multiply.’3 Hence we have the family, the ‘society’ of a man’s house—a society very small, one must admit, but none the less a true society, and one older than any State. Consequently, it has rights and duties peculiar to itself which are quite independent of the State.” (Page 244)
“It follows that those who maintain that an error is possible in any genuine passage of the sacred writings, either pervert the Catholic notion of inspiration, or make God the author of such error.” (Page 336)
“Man precedes the State, and possesses, prior to the formation of any State, the right of providing for the substance of his body.” (Page 243)
“since the end of society is to make men better, the chief good that society can possess is virtue.” (Page 250)
“It is the mind, or reason, which is the predominant element in us who are human creatures; it is this which renders a human being human, and distinguishes him essentially from the brute. And on this very account—that man alone among the animal creation is endowed with reason—it must be within his right to possess things not merely for temporary and momentary use, as other living things do, but to have and to hold them in stable and permanent possession; he must have not only things that perish in the use, but those also which, though they have been reduced into use, continue for further use in after time.” (Page 242)
- Title: The Papal Encyclicals: 1878–1903
- Author: Claudia Carlen
- Series: The Papal Encyclicals
- Publisher: Pierian Press
- Print Publication Date: 1990
- Logos Release Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Encyclicals, Papal; Catholic Church › Doctrines
- Resource ID: LLS:PAPENCY1878
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:34:49Z