>> I recommend you look at Centessimus Annus which was the most recent social justice encyclical (circa 1990 Pope JPII). This document embraces capitalism and condemns socialism more than any other previous encyclical. It is a good read. <<
I have to disagree with the statement that it condemns socialism more than any other previous encyclical. Populorum Progressio (”Forward People”) puts some slight qualification on the explicit condemnation of socialism which previous encyclicals had made. Unfortunately, many liberals reported that Rerum Novarum (”New Things”), for instance, was written before Vatican II “changed everything.” In fact, Vatican II changed nothing. Rerum Novarum was in ways the most influential encyclical ever, forming the intellectual foundation of counter-socialism in Europe.
Centessimus Annus (”100 Years [since Rerum Novarum]”) restated Rerum Novarum’s criticism of socialism. If anything, it tried to strike a bit more balanced of a tone, to remind the middle classes of Europe and America (which scarcely existed when Rerum Novarum was published) that capitalism hasn’t fully addressed yet. But impimp is very correct when he asserts that Centessimus Annus boldly reasserted the Catholic Church’s opposition to socialism. Unfortunately, the mainstream media’s spin machine largely ignored that opposition.
Pope John Paul II: Capitalism isn’t perfect, but socialism is an unspeakable evil!
Socialist mainstream media: The Pope criticized capitalism!
Unfortunately Pope Paul VI’s intellectual failings helped foster within the American church a leftish presbyterate which did little to correct the MSM.
I think I understand.
Thanks.