Justice for Church Workers
The Catholic Church has a proud history of standing with laborers and demanding fair and just treatment. The U.S. bishops, in their pastoral letter Economic Justice for All state that, “All the moral principles that govern just operation of any economic endeavor apply to the Church and its agencies and institutions; indeed the Church should be exemplary.”
Yet, on this Labor Day, as we celebrate workers throughout the country, let us be mindful that those employed by our Church are not afforded the same protections as others. They can – and many have – been fired for who they are, who they love, and/or what they believe.This type of unjust treatment of Church workers must stop.
It is for this reason that I am pleased to announce that Call To Action has been collaborating with current and former Church workers, in addition to theologians and canon lawyers, to draft a declaration that will be brought to the conference floor this November calling on our institutional leaders to cease firing Church workers on the basis of their personal and conscience decisions. It will also call on our Church to put into place processes and procedures that ensure Church workers’ voices and their due process are respected.
The Call To Action community continues to stand alongside Church workers and their hope for a more transparent, accountable, and just system. Our school teachers, pastoral associates, campus ministers and others deserve better from the Catholic hierarchy. More importantly, our Catholic tradition demands it. Copies of the declaration will be available at conference for members and supporters to review prior to it coming up for ratification by the entire assembly. We hope you will join us in Milwaukee November 6-8 for the 2015 National Conference. Your voice and vote for justice will make an impact. This will be a historic moment for our community and the Church reform movement!
