The Basic Philosophy Of Social Welfare Legislation

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is not to evaluate, defend or attack either Federal or state programs for social security, but, simply to explain their application to Montana. It is to be understood, however, that while we disclaim any intention to weigh the merits of these programs, as Catholics we do subscribe to the philosophy motivating them as a concrete expression of the ideals of social justice long advocated by the Church. Indeed, it is because of this special interest which all Catholics should have in these programs that this outline is written, and published upon this the 46th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's encyclical, Rerum Norarum, and the sixth anniversary of Pope Pius XI's encyclical Quadragesimo Anno.