Bishops’ Program for Social Reconstruction
February 24, 2009, 1:58 pm
Posted by Joseph A. Komonchak
In 1919 the U.S. bishops put out a document: “The Bishops’ Program for Social Reconstruction” which offered their ideas about re-ordering American society, economy and politics. It was largely written by Fr. John A. Ryan, one of the leading American Catholic social thinkers of the first half of the 20th century. The Archives at Catholic University recently made available on line a good deal of material for anyone who wants to study it. Perhaps even help in our present mess?
With all due respect to Fr. John Ryan—who did a colossal job writing this at his time—the Bishops of America today need to show the way. However, it will not be done by Pastorals, not by homilies directed to their people of their respective dioceses, but by example.
Let the bishops sell their mansions, get rid of all the jewelry that they wear, (a simple pectoral cross and ring can convey their status). Let them, instead, show by their presence to their people that they are true servants as Jesus directed them to be.
Lent is upon us and a great time of repentance for all is here. And this is true of the bishops as well—let the bishops hear confessions in various churches in their dioceses. Let them cook meals in homeless shealters. Let them visit hospital-patients. Let them visit prisons and talk to prisoners. Let them teach religion classes to middle school students. In other words, let them BE the PASTORS that Christ has intended them to be—-not medieval-types
LORDS. Then, maybe then, we will be able to hear what they say about ‘social reconstruction’.
Not a moment sooner.
It remains that the 1919 document is still worth reading.
Little Bear, you suggested, inter alia, that an episcopal ring can suffice.
Given that the ring supposedly signifies a bishop’s being wed to his diocese, and given that Rome tends to transfer not a few “husbands” to newer and better “wives,” might it be better — and more accurate — to dispense with the ring and stick to the simple pectoral cross?
As for your suggestions, they’re good. Husbands from time to time should, indeed, stay home and experience what the wives experience. Many of the guys would gain a whole new perspective.