Pope Leo the Great wrote the first encyclical on Catholic social teachings in response to the harsh treatment of workers during the industrial revolution. Since then the Church has extended its social teachings to the family, the work environment, the economic/business community, the political community, the international community, the environment, the pursuit of peace and the situation of war.
In this article, Fr. Spitzer summarizes the three main aspects of Catholic social teaching including: doctrine or prudential judgement, the six principles of Catholic social teaching, seven major areas of Catholic Social teaching. Fr. Spitzer illustrates through these three aspects how the dignity of man is the root of Catholic social teaching.