Hint from history?
The following letter to the editor of the Scranton Times, appeared July 24, 2008:
Hint from history?
Editor:
As a historian of the labor movement, working people, and Pennsylvania’s industrial heritage, I was surprised to learn of recent actions by the Diocese of Scranton to remove from employment an educator who had advocated that teachers be organized. The diocese denied that his dismissal was due to his positions on collective bargaining. One would hope that is, indeed, the truth.
However, there is further evidence that the diocese may indeed be anti-labor. The diocesan Web site states the following in discussing the history of one of its bishops:
“Bishop McCormick’s principal claim to recognition was the skill with which he dealt with the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council and the contemporary upheaval in society’s values. Calmly, deliberately, and courageously, he disposed of problems as they occurred. During his 17 years, priestly and religious vocations dwindled, schools and hospitals were increasingly staffed by the laity, labor unions and work stoppages made their disturbing debuts.”
Perhaps the last sentence, in particular, is in error. Perhaps whoever wrote it knows little about papal encyclicals that have supported and advocated for working people and the dignity of labor throughout the world. Or, maybe the writer chose to overlook the history of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s working people and labor unions that lifted thousands out of poverty; fought for an end to child labor, advocated the New Deal-era reforms that brought Social Security, unemployment compensation, and the legal right to collectively bargain, and brought dignity and respect to those ill-treated by industrial capitalism in coal mines, garment factories, and textile mills.
For the Church to assert the “labor unions and work stoppages made their disturbing debuts” is, at its least, insensitive to the history of so many of its pilgrim and immigrant members. On a broader level such a statement ignores Vatican policy and teachings such as evidenced by the late Karol Wojtyla in his support of Poland’s working people and the Solidarity labor union.
One would hope such a blatant statement is inaccurate and does not reflect the real position of the Diocese of Scranton toward the labor movement and working people, the very backbone of its support throughout its entire history.
KENNETH C. WOLENSKY
GRANTVILLE,DAUPHIN COUNTY
Hint from history?
Editor:
As a historian of the labor movement, working people, and Pennsylvania’s industrial heritage, I was surprised to learn of recent actions by the Diocese of Scranton to remove from employment an educator who had advocated that teachers be organized. The diocese denied that his dismissal was due to his positions on collective bargaining. One would hope that is, indeed, the truth.
However, there is further evidence that the diocese may indeed be anti-labor. The diocesan Web site states the following in discussing the history of one of its bishops:
“Bishop McCormick’s principal claim to recognition was the skill with which he dealt with the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council and the contemporary upheaval in society’s values. Calmly, deliberately, and courageously, he disposed of problems as they occurred. During his 17 years, priestly and religious vocations dwindled, schools and hospitals were increasingly staffed by the laity, labor unions and work stoppages made their disturbing debuts.”
Perhaps the last sentence, in particular, is in error. Perhaps whoever wrote it knows little about papal encyclicals that have supported and advocated for working people and the dignity of labor throughout the world. Or, maybe the writer chose to overlook the history of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s working people and labor unions that lifted thousands out of poverty; fought for an end to child labor, advocated the New Deal-era reforms that brought Social Security, unemployment compensation, and the legal right to collectively bargain, and brought dignity and respect to those ill-treated by industrial capitalism in coal mines, garment factories, and textile mills.
For the Church to assert the “labor unions and work stoppages made their disturbing debuts” is, at its least, insensitive to the history of so many of its pilgrim and immigrant members. On a broader level such a statement ignores Vatican policy and teachings such as evidenced by the late Karol Wojtyla in his support of Poland’s working people and the Solidarity labor union.
One would hope such a blatant statement is inaccurate and does not reflect the real position of the Diocese of Scranton toward the labor movement and working people, the very backbone of its support throughout its entire history.
KENNETH C. WOLENSKY
GRANTVILLE,DAUPHIN COUNTY
posted by SDACT at
5:01 PM
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