Habemus Papam Socialis Iustitiae
We have a Social Justice Pope.
What's in a Name? A Whole Bunch!
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost's decision to be known as Pope Leo XIV is not just a name change but a deliberate reference to the last Leo, who guided the Catholic Church during a challenging period and assisted in its transition into the modern world—a time at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Today, as we stand at the dawn of the Autonomous Revolution, a world where emerging technology touches our lives, work, and sense of spirituality, this name choice carries profound significance. It connects us to our past and points us toward a future of new beginnings.
Pope Leo XIV was not only the first American Pope; he was also a citizen of Peru, a country where he spent a significant part of his career and where his election was celebrated as the elevation of one of their own. Cardinal Prevost has chosen a name widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who was pontiff during a time of epic upheaval in the world: the Industrial Revolution, the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration, along with massive injustices being perpetrated against workers and the marginalized in society. Leo XIII marked the beginning of Catholic Social Teachings (CST), where Cardinal Joseph Cardijn found inspiration and solace in his work.
We are hopefully going to experience a new dawning of Catholic Social Teachings. Hopefully, we all see the opportunity for new awareness and education about the importance of CST.
Catholic Social Teaching plays a crucial role in shaping the ethical and human-centered response to emerging technologies, particularly technologies such as AI within labor and work.
The dignity of Work and Workers' Rights: How can we, as members of the Cardijn movements, use the See-Judge-Act methods to raise awareness of CST and help the world understand that work is more than just a means of income; it is a participation in God's creation and essential to human dignity? The Cardijn movement prioritizes labor over capital, advocating for fair wages, decent working conditions, and the right to organize. It emphasizes that the economy must serve people, not the other way around.
Response to Technological Change: CST originated as a response to the Industrial Revolution and continues to adapt to new technological shifts. It offers a moral framework to address challenges posed by AI and automation, such as job displacement, worker marginalization, and ethical concerns regarding dehumanization and bias in AI systems.
Promoting the Common Good and Human Flourishing: Catholic teaching urges that AI and emerging technologies be developed and deployed to enhance human dignity, solidarity, and the common good rather than to deepen inequality or reduce workers to mere data points. It calls for inclusive innovation, retraining displaced workers, and designing AI tools with input from workers to ensure meaningful, fulfilling work.
Ethical Leadership and Regulation: The Church, including Pope Leo XIV, is crucial in advocating for international cooperation and moral standards to govern AI. This advocacy should emphasize inclusion, transparency, equity, and privacy. Employers are urged to adopt a 'high-road' approach, engaging workers in AI deployment decisions, sharing benefits, and investing in upskilling. This way, we, as a community, can actively contribute to embedding human dignity into technological progress.
Ecological and Social Dimensions: Recent CST contributions, such as Laudato si', highlight the environmental impact of work and technology and urge sustainable practices that respect both people and the planet.
Current Challenges and Responses
The Church continues to develop its response to rapid technological change. Pope Francis, in particular, has emphasized that technology must serve human flourishing rather than profit alone, advocating for:
Inclusive dialogue about technological adoption
Equitable distribution of technology's benefits
Ongoing training and education for workers
Technology assessment that considers social and ethical impacts
In summary, Catholic Social Teaching is poised under this new Pope to provide a comprehensive ethical lens that insists emerging technologies like AI must serve human dignity, promote just labor relations, and contribute to the common good, ensuring that work remains meaningful and inclusive in the evolving technological landscape.
Are we ready?