About This Issue

Abstract

About This Issue Thomas Rzeznik, Co-editor History not only tells us what has happened, it often reminds us of what might have been. In that spirit, this issue opens with an article by Douglas J. Slawson (National University) that recounts the relations between Black Catholics and the National Catholic Welfare Conference in the post-World War I era. It reveals how Black Catholics' call for racial equality within the church found some receptive ears, but how gains proved elusive for a variety of reasons. In another story of possibility, Paul Monson (Sacred Heart Seminary) turns our attention to the history of ecumenical engagement in Hollywood in the post-Vatican II era. In particular, he looks at how Catholic and Protestant critics differed in their reception of two noteworthy films, Fred Zimmerman's A Man for All Seasons (1967) and Michael Anderson's The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968), revealing how religious communities in the United States had not yet come to a consensus on what an ecumenical outlook entailed. Moving from films of the past to films of the present, we are pleased to offer a special review section focused on recent documentaries exploring American Catholic lives. As part of their analysis, we asked our reviewers to consider how these films presented their subject to a popular audience. We are grateful to Daniel Moran (Rutgers University) for his review of Flannery: The Storied Life of the Writer from Georgia; Tim Dulle, Jr. (Fordham University) for his review of Rebel Hearts; Daniel Cosacchi (Marywood University) for his review of The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous; Angela Alaimo O'Donnell (Fordham University) for her review of Catholicism: The Pivotal Players: Fulton J. Sheen, the Communicator and Flannery O'Connor, the Storyteller; Ross Enoch (Marist College) for his joint review of Enduring Faith and Walking the Good Red Road; and Elsie Miranda (Association of Theological Schools) for her review of Building a Bridge. The issue concludes with a cover essay by Sister Roseanne McDougall, SHCJ and Emily Siegel on the history of the Society of the Holy Jesus in the United States. Founded 175 years ago in England by Cornelia Connelly, a native of Philadelphia, the order began its ministry on U.S. shores in 1862, responding with apostolic zeal to the needs of the church and society, especially in the field of education. [End Page i] Copyright © 2021 American Catholic Historical Society