Socialism and the Pope

I.

The Socialistic Remedy (transference of ownership to the State) is Rejected.

The Right of Private Property (in chattels and land) is Established.

II.

The True Remedy (to be sought in the combined action of (a) the Church; (b) the State; (c) employer and the working class).

Conclusion.

Respective Duties of the State; of the Wealthy; of the Poor; of the Clergy.

The above skeleton proves beyond all possibility of dispute that the Pope rejects the idea of the workers coming together for their emancipation. It accepts the perpetuation of poverty.

Canon Parkinson also divides the Encyclical into "contents." A selection from these section-descriptions also tell the same story:-
"The Socialist Solution: Its Refutation."
"Private Property a Natural Right."
"The Right of Private Property proved by the Family."
"Labouring and Suffering Must Exist."
"Class should help Class."
"The Rich must help the Poor."
"Poverty and Labour no Disgrace."
"The State should be solicitous for the Working Population."
"The Working Man should be Encouraged to acquire Property."

Indisputable testimony to the Anti-Socialist nature of the Encyclical is to be found in the opening paragraphs:-

"It is no easy matter to define the relative rights and mutual duties of the rich and of the poor, of Capital and of Labour. And the danger lies in this, that crafty agitators are intent on making use of these differences of opinion to pervert men's judgements and to stir up the people to revolt.

But all agree, and there can be no question whatever, that some remedy must be found, and found quickly, for the misery and wretchedness pressing so heavily and unjustly as this moment on the vast majority of the working classes...

To remedy these wrongs the Socialists, working on the poor man's envy of the rich, are striving to do away with private property, and contend that individual possessions should become the common property of all, to be administered by the State or by municipal bodies..."

The pope proceeds to cite the laws of nature, the civil laws, and Deut. v. 21, as the Divine law, to prove that

"The practice of all ages has consecrated the principle of private ownership."

He concludes:

"Hence it is clear that the main tenet of Socialism, community of goods, must be utterly rejected, since it only injures those whom it would seem meant to benefit, is directly contrary to the natural rights of mankind and would introduce confusion and disorder into the commonweal. The first and most fundamental principle, therefore, if one would undertake to alleviate the condition of the masses, must be the inviolability of private property."