8th Day Center for Justice

8th Day Center for Justice was 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. The center was advocacy-centered (primarily around Catholic social teaching) and was associated with over 40 religious communities, allowing the congregations to pool their resources for the work.[1]

8th Day Center for Justice
Formation1974
TypeSponsored center
Legal statusNot for profit
Location
Membership
Over 30 religious congregations
Website8thDayCenter.org (defunct)
RemarksSpecial consultative relationship with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

According to its mission statement, the center existed 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 sponsored weekly silent peace vigils beginning after 2001's September 11 attacks.[3][4] It also hosted a radio show called The 8th Day on WLUW, Chicago. 8th Day Center was also 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 had 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]

8th Day Center for Justice closed in 2017.[13][14]

Member congregations

Sponsoring members of 8th Day Center for Justice included:

These members helped to staff the center. Longstanding staff included Sister Kathleen Desautels.[15] In addition, 34 other congregations served as member friends or contributing members.

References
  1. Massaro, Thomas (2008). Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-7425-5996-7. 8th day center for justice.
  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. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  4. Zivan, David (September 2005). "Voices in the Church: Sister Dorothy Pagosa". Chicago Magazine. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. 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. Archived from the original on 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  13. Araujo-Hawkins, Dawn (2017-09-28). "As 8th Day Center for Justice enters final year, sisters shepherd center's conclusion". Global Sisters Report. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  14. "About the Walk | Walk for Justice Chicago". www.walkforjusticechicago.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  15. "8th Day Center for Justice". Sisters of Providence. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
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