Pal. Jurgio Matulaičio socialinės veiklos bruožai

Abstract

Socialinis Bažnyčios mokymas – sistemingai plėtota visuomeninė socialinė doktrina – kilo iš Bažnyčios rūpinimo-si žmogumi. Pal. J. Matulaičio gyvenamuoju laikotarpiu pasirodė pirmoji socialinė enciklika, todėl jis ypač stengėsi atsižvelgti į to meto iššūkius Bažnyčiai ir spręsti to meto socialines problemas. Daugelis jo idėjų tuo metu buvo itin pažangios. Socialinio Bažnyčios mokymo sklaida aktuali ir šiais laikais, tad pravartu apžvelgti pal. J. Matulaičio socialinę veiklą

In the beginning of the 20 th century Lithuania faced a difficult historical situation which greatly influenced economic and social spheres of the society. Besides, growing industrial society brought about new difficulties which were presented in the encyclical letter of Leo XIII, “Rerum Novarum”. Pro-polish group of the clergy, who supported landowners of those times and did not want to undergo any changes, impeded the spread of the social Christian thought. Liberalistic views posed a threat to the Christian understanding of a person; and on the other hand, a socialistic model posed a threat to the whole public life. With the modernization of the society proclaimers of antireligious ideology, especially among the intellectuals, became more and more outspoken. However, the bigger part of the society was still very conservative, reserved and showing more trust in the Church. In such historical context J. Matulaitis’ social activity emerged as an attempt to give history a new direc-tion without neglecting the dignity and the eternal calling of a person. J. Matulaitis had a profound theoretical background. He was often accused of supporting modernism; however, he never served anti-Christian ide-ologies. On the contrary, he understood that any ideology had a grain of truth, which is why he was open to communication even with non-religious intellectuals. This way, he was trying to diminish the gap between the Church and the intelligentsia, the theology and the science; to put into practice what was implied in the encyclical letter of Leo XIII “Rerum Novarum”. Although, he did not leave many written sources, it is still possible to trace his main ideas: the question of workmen, farmers, small or medium business entrepreneurs, the situation of women, emigration, and other issues. [...]