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Pope John Paul II: Laborem Exercens Encyclical Letter 1981 encyclicals of 1987 and 1981

"Work is a good thing for man ... It is not only good in the sense that it is useful or something to enjoy; it is also good as something worthy that is to say something that corresponds to man's dignity that expresses his dignity and increases it. If one wishes to define more clearly the ethical meaning of work it is this truth that one must particularly keep in mind."

Dennis McCann quoted by Beder observes that the Protestant Work Ethic is now more honoured ironically enough in Catholic social teaching than it is among mainline Protestants.