Love, Charity, & Pope Leo XIII: A Leadership Paradigm for Catholic Education

The treatment of workers is an ongoing social issue affecting society. No organization is immune to questionable employee practices, including Catholic educational institutions. For Catholic leadership to fully embody its intended justice-based role, it must first be aware of the social teachings put forth by the Roman Catholic Church. In this study, the researcher suggests Pope Leo XIII's social writings as a guiding presence for beginning this formation, starting with the concepts of love and charity within labor. The analysis of Leo's work shows love and charity as interchangeable virtues that enhance our God-given dignity by acknowledging other people's inherent worth. In turn, educational leaders are called to make decisions centered on love and charitable acts that actively pursue their employees' best interests without irreversibly depleting institutional resources needed for overall survival.