On Human Work: Laborem Exercens

This encyclical on the importance and issues concerning labor was issued on the 90th anniversary of the famous encyclical Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII. It contains the following sections: Introduction Human Work on the Nintieth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum In the Organic Development of the Church's Social Action and Teaching The Question of Work, the Key to the Social Question Work and Man In the Book of Genesis Work in the Objective Sense: Technology Work in the Subjective Sense: Man as the Subject of Work A Threat to the Right Order of Values Worker Solidarity Work and Personal Dignity Work and Society: Family and Nation Conflict Between Labor and Capital in the Present Phase of History Dimensions of the Conflict The Priority of Labor Economism and Materialism Work and Ownership The Personalist Argument Rights of Workers Within the Broad Contect of Human Rights Direct and Indirect Employer The Employment Issue Wages and Other Social Benefits Importance of Unions Dignity of Agricultural Work The Disabled Person and Work Work and the Emigration Question Elements for a Spirituality of Work A Particular Task for the Church Work as a Sharing in the Activity of the Creator Christ, the Man of Work Human Work in the Light of the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ 

Pope John Paul II was elected to the papacy in October 1978 and served the Church until his death in 2005. During his papacy, he wrote 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, and 45 apostolic letters. He also published five books including The Poetry of John Paul II--Roman Triptych: Meditations.