Joseph Cardinal Höffner CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ... - Ordo Socialis

on the basis of the classical social doctrine introduced by Bishop Ketteler and Leo XIII which
must continue to evolve. He develops that doctrine, showing the interaction of history, empirical
knowledge and theological-ethical logic with charm and humor, sometimes with a
touch of irony, but at all times clearly and discerningly. He defends it against ideological attacks
from the outside and against fashionable substitutes from the inside. There thus emerged
a classical textbook which draws on the medieval tradition of social teaching to be found in,
for instance, Thomas of Aquinas or the late Spanish scholars, and the author’s own source
studies as well as modern Church doctrine beginning with „Rerum novarum“ (1891). Anyone
wanting to know what the Church teaches and stands for in this field can always rely on
Höffner. His textbook is also a very personal work. We sense in many parts the connection
between academic research and teaching, social and ethical counseling, and pastoral instruction.
This is achieved in such a unique way that it would hardly be possible to copy the book’s
method and style. To attempt to revise it would therefore be out of the question.
But if that is the case, what is the point in trying to make this work accessible today, thirteen
years after its last edition? True, there has been in the meantime an intensive theoretica1 debate
on ethical foundations in general and the self-perception of Catholic social teaching in
particular. And some areas, for instance the political ethics of democracy, the relationship
between Church and democratic society, or ecological and economic issues, require more
detailed coverage in a modem work than they receive from Höffner. But whatever could be
said on those subjects could not ignore the fundamental principles and answers which constitute
the Church’s social teaching as expressed in the papal social encyclicals issued since Leo
XIII and especially in those of more modem times. That sure and lasting foundation is synonymous
with Joseph Höffner’s textbook. Though some examples may be out of date, that is
by no means the case with regard to the substance. To anyone seeking an accurate account of
the methods, principles and socio-ethica1 consequences of the Church’s social teaching,
Höffner’s „Christian Social Teaching“ continues to be of fundamental importance.
In one respect, however, the work can easily and meaningfully be supplemented. Since the
last edition (1983) papal social teaching has been extended quite considerably in the form of
the two encyclicals „Sollicitudo rei socialis“ (1987) and „Centesimus annus“ (1991). The first
encyclical published by John Paul II „Laborem exercens“ (1981) was taken into consideration
by Cardinal Höffner himself in his last edition. It therefore makes sense to add the substance
of recent papa1 pronouncements on this subject. This has been done by means of additions in
the appropriate places which are indicated as such (indented, Ita1ics).
Thus readers have at their disposal a survey of the Church’s social doctrine from its inception
up to the present time and incorporating at least the essence of papal socia1 pronouncements
in recent years.
Christmas 1996
Lothar Roos
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