How can liberals stay in the Church after the recent Papal letter against the ordination of women and that Catechism of the Catholic Church that may have beautiful concepts but has exclusive language? How can conservatives stay in the Church? Some have already left, saying that Pope John Paul II is much too liberal (followers of LeFebvre, for example)…. continue reading
Aims and Purposes of the Catholic Worker Movement
August 1, 1994 by
For the sake of new readers, for the sake of men on our breadlines, for the sake of the employed and unemployed, the organized and unorganized workers, and also for the sake of ourselves, we must reiterate again and again what are our aims and purposes. Together with the Works of Mercy, feeding, clothing and… continue reading
Who Will Inherit the Legacy of Dorothy Day? The Questions
May 1, 1994 by
Will the Catholic Worker movement survive without Dorothy Day? Who will inherit her legacy? Can the real spirit of Dorothy Day continue? Some wonder, “Where are the profound leaders who can take up the mantle of Dorothy Day?” Should the New York Catholic Worker (The Catholic Worker house that Dorothy founded, with Peter Maurin) become… continue reading
Clericalism Hurts Lay People
January 1, 1994 by
It was a tense situation. It could have been any church group, but all members of this group were active church members. They were very upset. A center of hospitality did not have a person immediately available to answer a question about accepting a battered woman in a dangerous situation, so the church group had to send this… continue reading
Virgil Michel, O.S.B., and the Benedictine Influence on the CW Movement: Benedictine Influence Prominent in Catholic Worker: The Guest is Christ
January 1, 1994 by
In chapter 53 of his Rule, Benedict addresed the reception which was to be accorded guests. He reminded his monks that everyone was to be received as Christ, for on the last day each monk would be told: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt. 25:35). All persons, without distinction, were to be… continue reading
Should We Dump Them on the Street?
December 1, 1993 by
Since 1980 Casa Juan Diego has received thousands of refugees, Spanish speaking battered women and children. It has been the Inn to many homeless pregnant women. It is Saturday morning. There is much to do. Martha, a battered woman, abruptly interrupts our work with a visiting volunteer youth group from a local parish to insist… continue reading
Do We Need the Eucharist or the Church?
October 1, 1993 by
Potential volunteers call Casa Juan Diego to see if there is any group not connected with religion that gives hospitality to immigrants and refugees. Some would like to join in the work, but are uncomfortable with religion. Our answer to this question is no. We know of no one that can survive day after day,… continue reading
