The social tradition of the Church has developed over the years
a pastoral methodology to address social issues that brings
together in dialogue social and human sciences, and faith
tradition. The origin of such a systematic approach dates back
to the 1920s, initiated within the movement of the Young
Christian Workers of the Belgian priest Joseph Leo Cardijn. The
traditional approach to social issues - that is charity - was
not suited to respond to the working and living conditions of
industrial workers of the time. The class struggle that
characterised the industrial revolution sharply out-ruled the
paternalistic attitude calling the ruler to be benevolent and
generous towards the poor, who in their turn were expected to be
patient and bear their condition. The level of strife and
conflict was much heightened, and the working class was getting
alienated from the Church, conquered by the atheist socialist
ideology, which would make use of Marxian social theory to
interpret changes in society and direct social