Pope John Paul II has said repeatedly that the Catholic Church is opposed to capitalistic systems which give priority to profits and products rather than the good of the human person. Argentina has been touted as one of the success stories of the global market, of the “democratic laissez faire capitalism,” preached by Michael Novak, the neoliberalism that has… continue reading
The Sacrament of the Poor
August 1, 1997 by
T.J., a native Texan (Brownsville) and a lawyer (U.T.) spent several months at Casa Juan Diego as part of his Jesuit novitiate. The Southern Jesuit province is restoring the original Ignatian practice of having novices live poorly with the poor. Casa Juan Diego qualifies as a site for this experience! “And the King will answer,… continue reading
How to be a Christian in a Non-Christian World: Is there a Lay Theology?
June 1, 1997 by
It happened again, and as usual we had become upset and angry. An immigrant just asked us for the upteenth time, “Marcos, usted es un sacerdote y Luisa una monja?” (Mark, are you a priest and Louise a nun?) “No! No!” We say for the upteenth time. “Somos laicos.” We are lay people. And if they insist, we say… continue reading
Stop the Deportations of Immigrants and Refugees! Catholic Church says Deportation is Serious Sin
June 1, 1997 by
Sara and her Baby Sara Rodriguez was deported to El Salvador without her baby. She, like all women in the Houston area about to be deported, was imprisoned in the Liberty County jail many miles away and without representation. All that was needed was for someone to take the child to the Salvadoran Consulate to… continue reading
Why Argue About Fr. Michael J. Baxter and Notre Dame?
April 1, 1997 by
The last issue of the Houston Catholic Worker featured several articles in defense of the appointment of Fr. Michael Baxter, C.S.C., a Catholic Worker theologian, to the theology department at the University of Notre Dame and in defense of Notre Dame President, Holy Cross Fr. Edward Malloy, who was denounced by the Faculty Senate for this action. We apologize, especially… continue reading
Hospitality Empowers Battered Women
April 1, 1997 by
Marion Maendel came to the Houston Catholic Worker from the Bruderhof movement. She lives and works in the women’s and children’s house. There is a sentiment presently circulating among social agencies and church organizations that hospitality is out of style. Cleverly advertised, innovative new counseling programs for abused and homeless women are in. Shelter is… continue reading
Hospitality as Martyrdom
April 1, 1997 by
Now we really know why no one likes doing hospitality! Here we are knee-deep in doo doo (pronounced poo poo or ca ca in Spanish). Nothing works, nothing flows. “Back up” takes on a new meaning–no longer reinforcement, but that which went down came back up. It is not a pleasant sight. “Doc” from Crown… continue reading
