"to Enlarge Our Hearts and to Widen Our Horizon": Archbishop Neil Mcneil and the Origins of Social Catholicism in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, 1912-1934 (Toronto, Canada‪)‬

From 1912-1934 Archbishop Neil McNeil of Toronto introduced a new paradigm of Catholicism that revolutionized how English-speaking Canadian Catholics were to understand and live their faith. Known as social Catholicism, this understanding of Catholic morality forged a link between the mission of the Catholic Church and the economic, political, and social order of the world. McNeil was the first Canadian Bishop in English-Canada to apply the seminal concepts embedded in Catholic social teaching to the practical context of industrial Canada. McNeil's theological and ethical vision involved implementing a methodical program of education in Catholic social thought for Toronto's clergy and laity. Stressing practical action, McNeil also designed, implemented and maintained a sophisticated network of Catholic benevolent organizations that effectively served the social welfare needs of the archdiocese. Furthermore, McNeil was a public advocate for social justice who openly lobbied the government to enact legislative reforms that corrected the capitalist system. De 1912 a 1934, l'archeveque Neil McNeil de Toronto a introduit un nouveau paradigme dans le catholicisme, qui a revolutionne la facon dont les catholiques canadiens-anglais allaient comprendre et vivre leur foi. Connue sous le nom de catholicisme social, cette interpretation de la moralite catholique a forge un lien entre la mission de l'Eglise catholique et l'ordre economique, politique et social. McNeil etait le premier eveque au Canada anglais a appliquer les concepts majeurs ancres dans l'enseignement social catholique au contexte pratique du Canada industriel. La vision theologique et ethique de McNeil comprenait la mise en oeuvre d'un programme methodique d'enseignement de la pensee sociale catholique a l'intention du clerge et des laics de son diocese. Mettant l'emphase sur l'action pratique, McNeil a egalement congu, mis en oeuvre et entretenu un reseau sophistique d' organismes catholiques benevoles qui ont repondu efficacement aux besoins d'aide sociale de l 'archidiocese. De plus, McNeil etait un veritable defenseur de la justice sociale, et en tant que tel il a ouvertement exerce des pressions sur le gouvernement pour que ce dernier edicte des reformes legislatives pour corriger le regime capitaliste.