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PROGRESSIVIST DOCUMENTS
Fulton Sheen Promotes Social Justice
& Saul Alinsky
& Saul Alinsky
Fulton Sheen, who was named Bishop of Rochester in 1966, was among the first to jump into the social justice movement. He immediately took a vanguard position in introducing Vatican II-inspired innovations into the Rochester Diocese.
For example, in May 1967 Sheen changed the name of the Chancellery Office to the “Pastoral Office” to reflect the “person oriented atmosphere called for by the late John XXIII." One of his other early efforts to establish a more democratic church was to allow the priests of the diocese to pick their Vicar General, a post in the past chosen by the Bishop.
Perhaps one of the most shocking moves, which raised much criticism among the conservatives even of his time, was his choice of the special Vicar to the Poor, a new ministry he established under the Ecumenical Council, also created and directed by Bishop Sheen. Sheen himself announced it was an “a very unusual step,” but one necessary for the times, to which the Church must constantly adapt, another pet phrase coming from the Council: Adaptation of the Church to the modern world.
But what raised still more concern was the man he chose for that post of Episcopal Vicar of the Urban Ministry: Fr. P. David Finks, a 36-year old priest who was closely associated with Saul Alinsky and his FIGHT movement (Freedom, Integration, God, Honor Today). Fr. Finks, a supporter of the ideas and tactics of Alinsky, was on the Executive Council of Friends of FIGHT, which he had introduced into the inner city Immaculate Conception Church, where he was assistant pastor.
The appointment of Fr. Finks was one of Bishop Sheen's first choices since he came to Rochester, the New Yorks Times reported. Thus, instead of condemning the openly communist social agitator Saul Alinsky, he paid an indirect tribute to him and his work.
Below, see the article in the January 4, 1967 edition of the New York Times, front page, column 2. To see the full page click here.
For example, in May 1967 Sheen changed the name of the Chancellery Office to the “Pastoral Office” to reflect the “person oriented atmosphere called for by the late John XXIII." One of his other early efforts to establish a more democratic church was to allow the priests of the diocese to pick their Vicar General, a post in the past chosen by the Bishop.
Perhaps one of the most shocking moves, which raised much criticism among the conservatives even of his time, was his choice of the special Vicar to the Poor, a new ministry he established under the Ecumenical Council, also created and directed by Bishop Sheen. Sheen himself announced it was an “a very unusual step,” but one necessary for the times, to which the Church must constantly adapt, another pet phrase coming from the Council: Adaptation of the Church to the modern world.
But what raised still more concern was the man he chose for that post of Episcopal Vicar of the Urban Ministry: Fr. P. David Finks, a 36-year old priest who was closely associated with Saul Alinsky and his FIGHT movement (Freedom, Integration, God, Honor Today). Fr. Finks, a supporter of the ideas and tactics of Alinsky, was on the Executive Council of Friends of FIGHT, which he had introduced into the inner city Immaculate Conception Church, where he was assistant pastor.
The appointment of Fr. Finks was one of Bishop Sheen's first choices since he came to Rochester, the New Yorks Times reported. Thus, instead of condemning the openly communist social agitator Saul Alinsky, he paid an indirect tribute to him and his work.
Below, see the article in the January 4, 1967 edition of the New York Times, front page, column 2. To see the full page click here.
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