Diocesan Labor Institute.

The Diocesan Labor Institute was founded in 1942 by Joseph F. Donnelly, then a Waterbury parish priest, later a monsignor, and eventually Auxiliary Bishop of the Hartford Archdiocese. The main purpose of Institute was to instruct workers on Catholic social philosophy and on the basics of trade unionism.

The Diocesan Labor Institute was founded in 1942 by Joseph F. Donnelly, then a Waterbury parish priest, later a monsignor, and eventually Auxiliary Bishop of the Hartford Archdiocese. The main purpose of Institute was to instruct workers on Catholic social philosophy and on the basics of trade unionism. In addition, chapter directors attempted to persuade businessmen to cooperate with organized labor and they counseled workers fighting to oust Communist union leaders. In the early years, the Institute enjoyed much success. By the early 1950s, however, participation dropped significantly because many union officials were already graduates of the Institute. In an attempt to give new life to the Institute, a survey was introduced to communicate Catholic ideas about economic life to trade unionists.

The survey failed to revive the movement, but it produced a unique source for historians, as it offers vivid descriptions of working-life and reveals a great deal about the worldview of the priests who worked with unions. The survey involved gathering contacts in the local labor movement for a series of weekly evening discussions on the problems and attitudes of workers. The results were reported to Monsignor Donnelly in monthly chapter reports. Between autumn 1954 and spring 1956, the Diocesan Labor Institute of Connecticut held 150 meetings with small groups of Catholic trade unionists.