Key Points from Discussion on Dorothy Day, Junipero Serra, and Oscar Romero

Participants

• Amy Goodman: Host of Democracy Now!
• Argenis Sever-Dushinska: One of four women priests arrested for civil disobedience in Washington.
• Robert Ellsberg: Editor and publisher of Dorothy Day's selected writings.
• Martha Hennessy: Granddaughter of Dorothy Day, volunteer at Mary House Catholic Worker in New York.

Dorothy Day's Significance

• Dorothy Day is in the process of sainthood.
• Background:
  • Raised in New York, active in radical social movements.
  • Converted to Catholicism in the 1920s.
• Contributions:
  • Founded the Catholic Worker movement.
  • Combined works of mercy with radical social criticism.
  • Advocated for peace, leading to multiple arrests.
• Legacy:
  • Paves the way for Pope Francis's vision, focusing on social justice and peace.

Dorothy Day's Canonization Process

• Controversy:
  • Had an abortion, was a convert.
• Documentary Reference:
  • "Dorothy Day, Don't Call Me a Saint."
• Social Criticism:
  • Critiqued economic structures, advocated for non-violence.
  • Known for deep empathy and action based on lived experiences.

Role of Lay People in Canonization

• Santo Canonization historically for religious figures.
• Dorothy Day, as a laywoman and social critic, represents a shift.
• Advocated for social justice, lived ordinary challenges.
• Significance in era of Pope Francis, highlighting social gospel.

Martha Hennessy's Advocacy

• Fasting and vigiling at the UN.
• Goals:
  • Encourage Pope Francis to address sustainable development.
  • Criticize militarism, violence, and fossil fuel dependency.

Hospitality Houses

• Concept: Expanded family definition, meeting immediate needs.
• Dorothy Day's Sermon on the Mount as a practical guide.
• Martha's role as a volunteer in New York.

Argenis Sever-Dushinska's Background

• First Mass at a Dorothy Day House in Washington, D.C.
• Engaged in protests prior to ordination.

Controversy Over Junipero Serra's Canonization

• Ceremony: First sainthood ceremony on U.S. soil.
• Criticism: Indigenous communities opposed due to historical injustices during conversion.

Oscar Romero's Path to Beatification

• Archbishop of San Salvador, assassinated in 1980.
• Controversy:
  • Viewed as martyr by poor, political by others.
  • Killed for gospel expression, despite political context.
• Recognition:
  • Pope Francis acknowledged him as a martyr.
  • Demonstrates political aspects of canonization.

Conclusion

• Discussion on sainthood reflects broader themes of social justice, radical reformation, and the evolving role of the Catholic Church in addressing contemporary global issues.
• Robert Ellsberg, Martha Hennessy, and Argenis Sever-Dushinska continue to engage with and promote Dorothy Day’s legacy and Catholic social teachings.