Rerum Novarum

“New Things” and Pope(s) Leo

For over 134 years, Catholics have been thinking about “new things” that affect human life, such as industrial and technological advances and currently Artificial Intelligence (AI)! Our faith is not passive: we look at cutting-edge technology with the wisdom of the Church, working to protect human dignity and the common good.


Pope Leo XIV points us toward his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, who in 1891, addressed social and economic challenges of the Industrial Revolution. Today, our Church is responding to the transformative potential and possible pitfalls of AI – anything that impacts human dignity and the common good.


So, what did Leo XIII teach in Rerum Novarum (Of New Things)? Join us as we look at this seminal document for Catholic Social Teaching to better understand what it said, Pope Leo XIV's choice of name, and our Catholic commitment to peace, justice, truth and unity.


3 sessions of 60 mins each, in the Church, after the 10am Mass:
Sept 7 - Rerum Novarum overview: what did Pope Leo XIII say?
Sept 14 - How was Rerum Novarum a foundation for modern Catholic Social Teaching?
Sept 21 - Given Rerum Novarum and CST, what does Pope Leo XIV ask of us today?


About Cullen Larson


The Rerum Novarum Sessions will be facilitated by Cullen Larson, retired director from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the US Catholic community. Cullen and his wife Lola Larson joined St. Andrew parish earlier in 2021. Cullen’s CRS work frequently focused on how Catholic social teaching principles inform the work of CRS. He has often presented on CST in parish, diocesan, university, and other Catholic settings. He earned an undergraduate degree in theology and philosophy (Loyola University, New Orleans), and a master of pastoral studies degree (Spring Hill College, Mobile), and holds a master of public administration (University of Georgia), and a law degree (Emory University). His favorite quote from the Catholic Catechism is: “The Eucharist commits us to the poor.”(CCC #1397)

There is no cost to attend. Please register online so we can share resource links with you.

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