Manifesto on Rural Life.

Written in 1939, this book outlines fundamental Catholic principles and policies that address problems associated with the agricultural system and rural living during the early 20th century. The manifesto was derived from Catholic social philosophy and espouses the benefits of an occupation in agriculture, including the development of private property; the fostering of homelife; and a culture that encourages initiative, prudence, thrift, courage, and other personal virtues. It was written in response to the growing disparity between urban and rural living that became apparent following World War I. These disparities were attributed to the reduction of foreign and domestic markets, costly national programs of economic self-sufficiency, and a steady migration of farm youth from rural areas to urban centers. The first part of the book includes 180 statements representing principles and policies related to the rural Catholic family, farm ownership and land tenancy, rural resettlement, Catholic rural education, rural Catholic youth, Catholic culture in rural society, rural community, the rural pastorate, rural church expansion, rural health, rural social charity, the farm laborer, farmer cooperatives, rural credit, agriculture in the economic organism, and rural taxation. The second section of the book consists of annotations documenting the factual and statistical resources that formed the basis of the principles and policies advocated by the Catholic Church. Contains references and an index. (LP)