Church Workers create community
Since its beginnings, Call To Action has been a home for many Church Workers who've struggled to follow their call to ministry in our Church. More recently, as we've seen incidents of morality clauses, unjust firings and job insecurity increase, CTA has worked to combat the isolation and exclusion that workers feel and to organize for a more just workplace.
Last weekend, in the first gathering of its kind, nearly 30 workers gathered from across the country to build a worker-led movement supported by organizations committed to creating a more just workplace and holding our Church accountable to its own teachings. Discrimination, lack of access to contraception, low pay and job insecurity are some of the many reasons that our parishes, schools and nonprofits are losing the gifts and talents of committed workers like those who gathered in Chicago this weekend. While the church leadership is enacting unjust employment policies, Catholic people in the pews have been supporting fired church workers across the country. The firings harm not only church workers but the entire church. This policy is not sustainable and will only lead to more and more Catholics leaving the church, especially young people.
The weekend strategy meeting was co-sponsored by Call To Action, DignityUSA, Catholics for Choice, The Human Rights Campaign and New Ways Ministry. All of these groups have been working individually to hold the Church accountable to its own teachings on the dignity and rights of workers and joined together in planning this meeting to listen to the voices of workers and explore ways to support one another.
The gathering was inspired by the ideas of members of the Catholic Church Worker Support Network, which is supported by CTA. The monthly calls are led by former Church employees and are a confidential space to meet other workers. "The calls are a place to share our stories, encourage and affirm one another and pray" says Rhonda, who convenes the calls. "They are also a place to share resources and strategize for ways to create more just, fair, and positive workplaces."
Like the calls, last weekend's strategy meeting was a powerful place for those who've lost their jobs or been threatened with firing to connect and combat the isolation which the Church uses to dissuade them from standing up for their rights. "I was so honored and privileged to be with church workers this past weekend,” said Ryan, CTA's Director of Communications. "Despite the marginalization and heartache they've encountered, they continue to lead our church forward with integrity and love. They are an inspiration!"
