European Social Policy and Catholicism: A Historical Overview

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between the Catholic Church and the European states in the sphere of social security. The purpose of the research is to determine cooperation between the State and the Church in the European countries in the social sphere. It is recognized that one of the first institutions that have responded to social challenges was the Catholic Church. In Germany, Austria, and Italy, this institution takes an integrative part in the social security process. In France, the State tries to give social support itself. It is concluded that nowadays Church continues to create a theoretical and practical framework for social security at different levels and in different forms. The research result is the following: Christian values influenced the social integration of the European countries.