Catholics and Industrialization: Big Issues

The Role of the Church in Society

Father John A. Ryan urged the Church to actively intervene on behalf of laborers by becoming involved in social reform legislation. By contrast, William Cardinal O'Connell called upon employers and employees to respond in a Christian manner to the problems of the day. Cardinal O'Connell feared the authority of the Church would eclipse the rights of business and the individual. What do each of these men's thoughts teach us about the role of the Church in society? Should the Church and its members become actively involved in lobbying for legislation? Or, should the Church leave questions of social reform to individual Christian conscience?

The Authority of the State to Regulate Employer-Employee Relations

Mother Jones condemned the governors and local authorities for letting the mine and mill owners tell them what to do. Father John A. Ryan called upon the government to institute reforms through legislation. What role should the government play in a capitalist-democracy? Should the government act on behalf of either group exclusively? Is it the government's role to force employers to act in a moral manner toward their employees? Can the government decide which benefits a company owes its employees?

Certain industries cannot strike without government sanction. Do you think that the government has a right to block a strike if it interferes with the running of the country? Has the government the right to take away this weapon employees use to improve their circumstances?

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The Role of Faith in Personal and Business Life

William Cardinal O'Connell called upon both employers and employees to act on Christian principles in determining their actions. He believed that had people listened to Pope Leo XIII, the country would not have experienced the strikes and violence that characterized the industrial period. Do you believe that employers should act on their religious faith in carrying out their business responsibilities?

Mother Jones told the miners that action was a form of prayer. She believed that the "sky-pilots" erroneously counseled the miners to meekness in the face of injustice. Do you think that Mother Jones was correct in calling upon miners to act against perceived injustices? Was it prayer when they stood up against the mine owners? If so, when might action cease being prayer?

The Problems of the Source of Rights and Conflicting Rights

Father John A. Ryan urged the Church to actively intervene on behalf of laborers by becoming involved in social reform legislation. By contrast, William Cardinal O'Connell called upon employers and employees to respond in a Christian manner to the problems of the day. Cardinal O'Connell feared the authority of the Church would eclipse the rights of business and the individual. What do each of these men's thoughts teach us about the role of the Church in society? Should the Church and its members become actively involved in lobbying for legislation? Or, should the Church leave questions of social reform to individual Christian conscience?

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