Pope In Centesimus Annus example essay topic

Important Conclusions In Centesimus Annus The encyclical letter Centesimus Annus, was written on the one hundredth anniversary of Pope Leo X encyclical letter Rerum Novarum. Centesimus Annus was written to honor Rerum Novarum, but to also honor the encyclicals and documents that helped Rerum Novarum become such an important part of history. Pope John Paul II writes that the purposes of Centesimus Annus are to look back at Rerum Novarum, to look at the new things that surround us, and to look to the future for it is hard to tell what will happen in the next millennium. Centesimus Annus has many very important points and the Pope concludes them with lots of different reasons on why they are so significant. Over the next few pages I will give the three most important conclusions, do the best to my knowledge to try and give reasons that the pope gives to support his claims. The three conclusions range from how a business can be successful, to the roles that businesses have their countries to grow, and to government, businesses and society's role in human growth.

The first of the three important conclusions that the pope draws upon starts with the assumption that profit is the goal of every business and that a business is successful if they make a profit. This is true, but according to the pope in Centesimus Annus, the business will be truly successful if they place more emphasis on the following topics: placing more stress on worker to worker relations, the dignity of work, and the developing of skills as well as virtue. The pope first stresses his argument in section 35 saying " It is possible for the financial accounts to be in order a yet for the people, who make up the firms most valuable asset, to be humiliated... the purpose of a business firm is not simply to make profit, but is to be found in it's very existence as a community of persons". This restates his conclusion, saying that of course the purpose is to make a profit, but the workers must all be able to work together and be paid well, and not have their dignity revoked. When people work, it is somewhat of a way of expressing themselves, showing their gifts and talents while working together with other people. This is one of the reasons why the dignity of work is so important in this world, as the pope says in part 6", Work thus belongs to the vocation of every person; indeed, man expresses and fulfills himself by working.

At the same time work has a social dimension through its intimate relationship not only to family, but also to the common good... ". When people work together, it builds up the togetherness they have in the work place. The pope says that people work not only for themselves but for other people such as their families.

Also people work together, when people are working together and working with customers, together, this expands the solidarity involved in the economy. To be successful of course one needs to keep developing their virtues and skills. As the pope states in part 32 of Centesimus Annus, some important virtues involved included diligence, reliability and fidelity in relationships, and courage in making tough decisions. Also since we are in a world that is fast moving and technology is ever-changing, we must still be furthering our education. And as the pope exclaims in part 33", ... Those who fail to keep up with the times can easily be marginalized...

". This of course means that if one doesn't continue top grow with the times, they can easily be replaced.