Prospects For A Catholic Recovery

Dr. Peter Chojnowski’s blueprint for Distributism here highlights six elements of a Catholic economy: Guilds, Family-Owned Businesses, Homesteading, Apprenticeships, Barter and Credit Unions, and Neighborliness. The article is a good reminder of distributist ideals, even if they seem unattainable in our time. Perhaps the most salient characteristic of Distributism is the emphasis on Property:

“First, we must commit ourselves to the goal advanced by the economic teachings of Pope Leo XIII (Rerum Novarum), Pope Pius XI (Quadragesimo Anno), and the Distributist theorists, the attainment of real property for families. It is only with the attainment of real property (i.e., not mortgaged to the modern day usurer) that we shall establish fixed ‘realms’, footholds of Christendom capable of sustaining over a indefinite period of time families dedicated to the Social Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A fine long-term goal, but let’s face the reality: this is not likely to be achieved even by the most committed Catholic families in our generation. So far, I have yet to see anyone spell out the realistic possibilities for rebuilding Catholic civilization in North America. It seems to me that we are limited to the following options:

1. Homesteading. In the wilderness — but in close proximity to other Catholic homesteaders. There are Catholic families doing this today. A modern homesteading father has published an amusing letter to his son providing some insights into their lifestyle.

2. Build new towns and villages. The Society of Saint John once had promising plans to build such a town in NE Pennsylvania (scandals have erased the promise), and there are plans for a city to be built around the new Ave Maria College in Florida. This approach requires lots and lots of money.

3. Invade existing small towns. I really, really like this idea. There are many small communities in rural America that are dying a slow and agonizing death. The invasion of a few hundred Catholic families — or even a few dozen — could reverse the decline and transform the culture of these towns in a positive way.

4. Invade existing neighborhoods in big cities. This is also very appealing. There are many older neighborhoods in large cities where homes are very inexpensive. Some of these are dangerous places — but they would be far less dangerous with an influx of new blood.

5. Move in around existing orthodox parishes. Get as close as you can, say, within 5 miles tops. Try to find work that is just as close. Perhaps this is the most realistic option of them all. If just ten percent of North American Catholics flocked to the Tridentine havens in Lincoln, Omaha, Sacramento, Scranton, Rockford, Chicago, Atlanta, Post Falls, Kansas City, and the others, there would be a tremendous recovery of Catholic life and community — not to mention a veritable earthquake in the Church.

Have I missed anything?