Christianity, John Paul II and the future of work

Although the Catholic Church has rarely throughout its long history taken stances on socio‐economic issues that might be characterized as socially progressive, its view of work has constituted a notable exception. Its early view not only granted work dignity, but also reinforced an attitude of the fundamental equality of all humans. Most recently, John Paul II’s view of work constitutes one of the most progressive stances on socio‐economic questions ever taken by a pope. This essay describes and assesses the progressive character of Christianity’s attitude toward work. To limit scope, and because the “Protestant work ethic” has been so extensively covered, the focus is on the Catholic tradition. The first section traces the evolution of this view within the context of other traditional views. A second section examines the special contribution of John Paul II. A final section provides a critical assessment of these views in terms of our contemporary self‐understanding.