NACST Newsletter

Volume XXVII No. 2 - January 2006

Rev. Sinclair Oubre, Coordinator of the Catholic Labor Network www.catholiclabor.org, presented "Crumbs from the Table," the keynote address at the NACST Convention.

Oubre sounded a note of optimism for Catholic social justice teaching as we look ahead to the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

As Cardinal Ratzinger, the pope focused on doctrinal matters in his role as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Oubre noted that Ratzinger's theology is deeply rooted in the Church's social justice teaching.

The keynote address took aim at Church officials who attempt to discredit union members and unions by attacking their orthodoxy.

Their attacks are simply defamation which, if the Church officials truly believed, they would be obligated under canon law to pursue.

Oubre encouraged union leaders to hold fast to the wisdom the Church offers, without giving in to those who through the "scandal of their actions" could lead people from the life of the Church and the love of Christ.