Catholic Anarchism

[blackemma]

I've read a few books recently which make mention of Catholic anarchists. Could someone please tell me how this works? I just read the New Advent Encyclopaedia's definition of 'Anarchy' and let me tell you that I was not feeling the love. Further, how could any anarchist support as hierarchical an institution as the Catholic Church? How could a Catholic be drawn into anarchism? What are the Pope's views on anarchism?? All this strikes me as profoundly strange.

I'm aware of Dorothy Day and a few other radical Catholics but I'm still not sure I get this position. It was my impression that the Church, at least according to New Advent, while supporting religious-based, communist communities in principle, defended the right to property for all Christians. How does one get anarchism out of this? Someone explain.

[RedCeltic]

What you are talking about is the Catholic Worker Movement. Who's website can be found here (http://www.catholicworker.org/). It was started by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933. I believe they based their beliefs on their Catholic faith, and although the movement is not affiliated with the church, there are members of the clergy, and congrigational body that join.

[synthesis]

Much of the tradition of Catholic anarchism arises from a line in the Bible that says something to the effect of "thou shalt have no authority above God." I believe Christian anarchists (such as Leo Tolstoy) interpret this to mean "thou shalt have no authority other than God."

Hope that shed a little light on the subject.

Oh, and the Pope is incredibly anti-Communist. It is impossible to list all of his acts of opposition to reform, socialism, communism, anarchism, equality, and any meaningful progress at all.

[Guest1]

While I respect it, they include in their principles, the principle of "voluntary poverty". That's what the site says at least.

I'm not for extravagence, but to have voluntary poverty as one of your organization's guiding principles is a little much. It's the same reason I don't become a buddhist, or join kung-fu with my friends. All of these institutions that ask you to change your life and sacrifice for no real reason just piss me off.

Uggh.