Impulses for Social Work of the Church - Encyclic Deus Caritas Est

This study presents an early commentary on the new encyclical letter focusing on its second, i.e. practical-theological and social-charitable, part. It points out its uniqueness and extraordinariness in the history of theology, and especially in the history of the Magisterium theology, the individual circles of its addressees, its spiritual as well as ecumenical potential, and its addressing of topics previously untouched.

Keywords: Social work of the Church; Deaconry of Charity; Spirituality; History of theology; Church and society; Benedict XVI