The Thomistic Institute Catholic Social Teaching: Highlights from the Popes – Prof. James Felak
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May 11, 2026 
James Felak, Professor of History at the University of Washington and specialist in Catholicism in East Central Europe, traces papal responses from Leo XIII to Francis. He highlights human dignity, just wages, solidarity with the poor, subsidiarity, and the balance of rights and duties. Short, wide-ranging reflections connect historical crises to core social principles.
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John XXIII's Rights Paired With Duties Framework
- John XXIII expanded social teaching to a broad catalog of human rights tied to duties, listing rights to food, shelter, healthcare, education, work, and just wages.
- He emphasized rights and duties are linked: having a right implies fulfilling corresponding responsibilities.
Vatican II's Three Social Errors And The Church's Unique Contributions
- Vatican II (Gaudium et Spes) warns against shirking temporal duties, bracketing faith from action, or confusing personal opinion with the Gospel.
- Paul VI stressed the Church brings long experience, global perspective, and a holistic human vision to social questions.
John Paul II's Middle Way Between Capitalism And Communism
- John Paul II's Centesimus Annus distinguishes social justice (human dignity, common good, reconciliation) from class struggle (partisanship, hatred, domination).
- He defends a market economy if morally grounded, juridically regulated, and subordinated to spiritual values.