Thomas Merton saw racism as a white person's problem because he believed it was born of white society's spiritual sickness—its illusion, moral blindness, and structural complicity in oppression. His analysis, especially in Letters to a White Liberal (1963) and Seeds of Destruction (1964), shifted racism from being seen as the "Black man's problem" to being recognized as a crisis within white... Continue Reading →
Standing Against the Darkness: What Cardijn’s Courage Teaches Us Today
Standing Against the Darkness: What Cardijn’s Courage Teaches Us Today There’s a story from our Church’s history that keeps me awake at night—not because it’s frightening, but because it’s convicting. Picture this: It’s July 1924. While many Catholics across Italy, Belgium, and France are quietly (or not so quietly) cheering on Mussolini’s consolidation of power,... Continue Reading →
Christian Nationalism: What can I do?
First, let's refresh why we are all working with Joseph Cardijn's teachings. Second, let's realize the teachings offer a solid framework for understanding and combating Christian Nationalism, emphasizing grassroots organizing, social justice, and authentic Christian witness, by emphasizing universal human dignity, authentic Catholic Social Teaching based on the Encyclicals, and the use of the method of "See-Judge-Act" that rejects... Continue Reading →
Your Environment(your health) is at Risk! By Julie Peller PhD.
Green Junction In 2007, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Clean Air Act required the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address greenhouse-gas emissions, since they constitute a grave threat to the public. Richard J. Lazarus, a Harvard Law School professor, called it “the most important environmental law case ever decided by the Court.”... Continue Reading →
There is only one earth that provides for all of our needs ~ By Julie Peller Ph.D.
Green Junction Years ago, I met a scientist from a European country who described the loss of protected public areas in his country – a sign that the government did not respect or value nature. At that time, my thoughts translated to feelings of gratitude that the United States had established agencies, policies, and... Continue Reading →
Hello Catholics! Do we really understand CST?
"The role of U.S. Catholicism as the leading ecclesial and theological hub for the path of the church in political modernity might be over." ~ Massimo Faggioli A new wave of understanding of Vatican II influenced conservative Catholicism in the United States. This trend does not bode well for Catholic Social Teachings. Catholic Social Teaching... Continue Reading →
McLuhan and Cardijn having a cup of coffee.
In this era of growing mass communications, multimedia, and the rise of autonomous technology such as AI, we must discuss what we do in religion, including what and how we study history, scripture, culture, praxis (CST), etc. We must realize that a religious message delivered through a personal conversation is far different than what is... Continue Reading →
Shouldn’t all elected officials work for a healthy planet? By Julie Peller Ph.D.
Green Junction People often feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the environmental and human health problems that we now face. Those who care ask what can be done. I often write about what individuals and groups can do, but larger collective actions are also required. A very important individual action is to vote for elected... Continue Reading →
Innovate ~ Educate ~ Collaborate 