Catholic Social Action
(see also Christian Pacifism, Death Penalty Abolition & Dorothy Day)
Basics
Catholic Social Action, working always in opposition to Marxist & Anarchist movements for social & economic change, has sought since the end of the 19th century to bring about a regime of social justice for working people without the abrasions of class struggle. Its fundamental inspiration derives from the teaching and practice of Jesus, and from the encyclical Rerum Novarum drawn up by Pope Leo XIII in 1891.
On the Web: Articles
On the Web: Specialized Sites
Rerum Novarum (1891).
In the Library: Articles
Cort, John. "The Association of Catholic Trade Unionists & the auto workers," US Catholic Historian (fall 1990):335-51.
Harrington, Michael. "Catholics in the labor movement: a case history," Labor History (fall 1960):241-63.
Rosswurm, Steve. "The Catholic Church & the left-led unions: labor priests, labor schools & the ACTU," in Rosswurm (ed.) The CIO's Left-Led Unions (New Brunswick NJ: Rutgers, 1992).
Taft, Philip. "The Association of Catholic Trade Unionists," Industrial Labor Relations Review (1/49):210-18.
In the Library: Non-Fiction Books
Betten, Neil. Catholic Activism & the Industrial Worker (Gainesville: U. of Florida, 1976).
Bryant, Chris. Possible Dreams: A Personal History of the British Christian Socialists (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1996).
Cort, John. Christian Socialism: An Informal History (Maryknoll NY: Orbis, 1988).
__________. Dreadful Conversions: The Making of a Catholic Socialist (NY: Fordham U., 2003).
Cronin, John F. Catholic Social Action (Milwaukee: Bruce, 1948).
Luciani, Alfredo. Cristianismo e socialismo in Europa 1700-1989 (Milano: ASCE, 1989).
McCollester, Charles (ed.) Fighter with a Heart: Writings of Charles Owen Rice, Pittsburgh Labor Priest (Pittsburgh PA: U. of Pittsburgh, 1996).
Perrin, Henri. Priest & Worker: The Autobiography of Henri Perrin (NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1964).
Piehl, Mel. Breaking Bread: The Catholic Worker & the Origins of Catholic Radicalism in America (Philadelphia: Temple, 1982).
Seaton, Douglas. Catholics & Radicals: The Association of Catholic Trade Unionists & the American Labor Movement from Depression to Cold War (Lewisburg PA: Bucknell U., 1983).
Siefer, Gregor. The Church & Industrial Society: A Survey of the Worker-Priest Movement & its Implications for the Christian Mission (London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1964).