8th Day Center for Justice

8th Day Center for Justice
Motto A Catholic Faith-Based NGO for Social Change
Formation 1974
Type Sponsored center
Legal status Not for profit
Location
Membership
 Over 30 religious congregations
Website 8thDayCenter.org
Remarks Special consultative relationship with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

8th Day Center for Justice is a Roman Catholic non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Named after the Christian concept of an eighth day, it was founded in 1974 by six congregations of religious men and women. Currently the center is advocacy-centered (primarily around Catholic social teaching) and is associated with over 40 religious communities, allowing the congregations to pool their resources for the work.[1]

According to its mission statement, the center exists to promote "a world of right relationships in which all creation is seen as sacred and interconnected. In such a world all people are equal and free from oppression, have a right to a just distribution of resources, and to live in harmony with the cosmos."[2]

The center and its staff have sponsored weekly silent peace vigils since 2001's September 11 attacks.[3][4] It also hosts a radio show called "The 8th Day" on WLUW, Chicago. Over the years since its founding, 8th Day Center has also been involved in issues of homelessness,[5][6] human trafficking,[7] nuclear disarmament,[8] labor rights,[9] inclusive language,[10] and LGBT rights.

8th Day Center for Justice has a special consultative relationship with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.[11] In April 2010, the center was named a Human Rights Champion by the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America.[12]

Member congregations

Sponsoring members of 8th Day Center for Justice are:

These members help to staff the center. Longstanding staff include Sister Kathleen Desautels.[13] In addition, 34 other congregations serve as member friends or contributing members.

References

  1. ↑ Massaro, Thomas. Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. p. 174. ISBN 0-7425-5996-3.
  2. ↑ "Mission statement". 8th Day Center for Justice. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  3. ↑ Lederman, Josh (April 20, 2010). "Silence sends the strongest message at Catholic peace vigils". Medill Reports. Northwestern University. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  4. ↑ Zivan, David (September 2005). "Voices in the Church: Sister Dorothy Pagosa". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  5. ↑ Hombs, Mary Ellen; Mitch Snyder (1982). Homelessness in America: a forced march to nowhere. Washington, D.C.: Community for Creative Non-violence. p. 82.
  6. ↑ Pagosa, Dorothy (December 22, 2005). "Catholic laity and religious on poverty: an account of how the preferential option for the poor manifests itself in the lives of some Catholics". Conscience. Catholics for a Free Choice. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  7. ↑ Greninger, Howard (April 20, 2010). "Human Rights Day: At least 14,000 people are trafficked into U.S. each year". The Tribune-Star. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  8. ↑ Freund, Ronald (1982). What one Christian can do to help prevent nuclear war. Chicago: Fides/Claretian. p. 16. ISBN 0-7425-5996-3.
  9. ↑ Ashby, Steven K.; C. J. Hawking (2009). Staley: the fight for a new American labor movement. University of Illinois. pp. 146–147. ISBN 978-0-252-03437-4.
  10. ↑ Priests for Equality (1997). The Inclusive Psalms. Walnut Creek, CA: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. xxii. ISBN 0-7591-0765-3.
  11. ↑ "8th Day Center for Justice". CSO Net. United Nation Civil Society Network. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Human Rights Champions Honored | Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America". Crln.org. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  13. ↑ "8th Day Center for Justice". Sisters of Providence. Retrieved 19 September 2014.

External links

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