Priest says social action never needed more in church, society

Published: 2004-08-03

CHICAGO (CNS) -- The Catholic Church is in chaos and American society is awash in greed, and the time has never been better for those involved in social action, Father Andrew Greeley told Catholic social justice workers July 30. "Our church is a mess, society's a mess, everything's a mess," Father Greeley said in the closing presentation to the six-day Social Justice Summer Institute in Chicago. "What a wonderful opportunity," he continued. "In a chaotic church, in a greedy country, social action remains challenging and often frustrating. But, gentle souls, it never has been and never will be dull." The church's work for social justice has both been encouraged and become more difficult in the 40 years since the Second Vatican Council, the priest-sociologist and popular author told his audience. The institute drew about 200 people for a week of workshops and presentations on the Lake Shore campus of Loyola University. Participants attended two main tracks, one on the biblical concepts of justice and one on effective social action in a changing church.

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