How does Cardijn's work meet the needs of today's working class?
Joseph Cardijn's work has profoundly influenced modern social activism, particularly within the Catholic Church and beyond. Yet, in the US today, we see little understanding of the importance of social justice in the Church, and one has to wonder if it is even taught.
Cardjin’s "See, Judge, Act" methodology has become a cornerstone for social analysis and action:
Various movements and organizations worldwide have widely adopted the "See, Judge, Act" model, including the Young Christian Workers (YCW), Young Christian Students, the Christian Family Movement, Student Catholic Action, Labor Networks, and various movements by the Jesuits and Franciscans.
Cardijn's approach has been integrated into Catholic Social Teaching (CST), notably in Pope John XXIII's encyclical Mater et Magistra in 1961. (Ask people if they have ever read the encyclical)
The method has been applied in diverse contexts, from supporting the development of the first black trade unions in Durban, South Africa, in the 1970s to influencing Liberation Theology in South America. As the political climate shifts in the US and other countries, consider how we could raise awareness today using the method.
Cardijn's work led to the formation of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) movement, which had an estimated 2 million members in 69 countries by 1957. How do we bring this movement to technology and technology workers? How does the world of autonomous technology weave into the fabric of society and technology?
His emphasis on analyzing local contexts in light of the Gospel became second nature to progressive bishops in Latin America, leading to significant social changes. Advocate for the Cardijn method to be taught seriously in seminaries.
Catholics from all walks of life involved in social justice have employed the "See, Judge, Act" method to analyze and improve society. How can we apply this method to address the immigration situation in the U.S. better?
Cardijn's approach has influenced how Catholics engage with contemporary issues and implement Catholic social doctrine while maintaining a seperation of church and state. How does the method help us better understand the rise of Christian Nationalism occurring in the US and other countries?
Cardijn's legacy demonstrates how grassroots initiatives can grow into global movements, significantly impacting social activism and the Church's approach to social issues.
So, what does this mean for us in 2025?
Empowering the People: Cardijn believed in ordinary people's inherent dignity and potential, especially young workers. He concentrated on empowering them to recognize and confront social injustices within their communities. This focus on grassroots action and community-driven solutions continues to be a cornerstone of many modern social movements.
Through these initiatives and approaches, Cardijn aimed to bridge the divide between the Church and the working class, addressing their spiritual and material needs while empowering them to advocate for their rights and dignity.
Create Study Circles: where people could share their experiences and collectively seek solutions to challenges they faced at work, at home, and in their communities. And develop workable solutions.
Create Book Clubs: As an approach to focus on understanding the different social contexts of people, recognizing that those in factories, universities, or urban, suburban, or rural settings have vastly different life experiences and, through the readings, collectively come to understand our purpose in life.
Train leaders to highlight the significance of lay empowerment, especially in reaching out to the working classes. He understood that workers needed to share the Gospel in their workplaces while upholding a separation of church and state.
Educate others about the "See, Judge, Act" methodology and how different groups, such as the Franciscans and Jesuits, have applied it. This approach empowers individuals to analyze their social contexts, reflect on them in light of their faith, and take action to improve their situations.
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Thank you for your reflection, Richard. As always, a challenging read. One comment: While I accept the separation of Church and State, we need to train leaders to be influencers. I hope that this is Pope Francis’ thinking behind moving McElroy to Washington ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. I hope our Church leaders in our two countries work with lay leaders to encourage them to be influencers and also allow themselves to be influenced by those lay leaders.