Episode 5: Jane Adolphe on Issues of Equality and Non-Discrimination (August 20, 2025)

In this episode of Social Doctrine of the Church, Michael Vacca talks with Jane Adolphe and Robert Fastiggi about Catholic Social Doctrine and Issues of Equality and Non-discrimination.These social encyclicals were all released by different popes to address major social issues during their time. Starting in the 19th century, popes began to use their encyclicals to address hot-button social issues of their time. Each pope addressed a different issue, but built upon the legacy that the previous pontiffs created.Rerum NovarumOn May 15, 1891, Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum, deploring the inhumane working conditions of the working class.Quadragesimo AnnoPius XI, 40 years later on May 15, 1931, reiterated the principal points of his predecessor in his encyclical entitled  Quadragesimo Anno . He continued to develop the Church's stance in regards to workers as well as commenting on the social order.Mater et MagistraOn May 15, 1961, St. John XXIII wrote Mater et Magistra on social progress. He built upon his predecessors work and continued to dwell upon the rights of individuals and their relationship with the state.Pacem in TerrisOn April 11, 1963, St. John XXIII wrote  Pacem in Terris , which further explored the rights of individuals in society.Populorum ProgressioSt. Paul VI wrote  Populorum Progressio  on March 26, 1967, to comment on the development of peoples." He again built upon the foundation of prior encyclicals and reiterated the Church's response to society's pressing issues.Laborem ExercensSt. John Paul II wrote  Laborem Exercens  on September 14, 1981 to reinforce the Church's teaching about workers' rights and solidarity. It was to be published on May 15, but was delayed due to the assassination attempt on his life on May 13, 1981.Centesimus AnnusOn May 1, 1991, St. John Paul II wrote,  Centesimus Annus  to further cement the principlesin Rerum Novarum and to apply it to the current time.Caritas in VeritatePope Benedict XVI released Caritas in Veritate on June 29, 2009, focusing on the concept of charity and how it should effect every corner of society.Laudato Si'In the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis wrote  Laudato Si'  on May 24, 2015 to address the many social problems caused by poor stewardship of creation.Fratelli TuttiPope Francis wrote his encyclical,  Fratelli Tutti , on October 3, 2020, and sought to apply the many principles of his predecessors to the current world, which at the time was in the midst of a pandemic.