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 linea good deal of material for anyone who wants to study it. Perhaps even help in our present mess?

Rev. Joseph A. Komonchak, professor emeritus of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New York.

Also by this author
© 2024 Commonweal Magazine. All rights reserved. Design by Point Five. Site by Deck Fifty.