Charles Owen Rice facts for kids

Monsignor Charles Owen Rice (born November 21, 1908 – died November 13, 2005) was a Catholic priest. He was also a very important American activist who worked to help people, especially workers.

Who Was Charles Owen Rice?

Charles Owen Rice was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Irish immigrants. When he was four, his mother passed away. He and his brother went to Ireland to live with their grandmother. They lived in a big family home in Bellurgan, County Louth. Seven years later, he came back to the United States.

In 1934, Charles became a priest. He studied at Duquesne University and Saint Vincent Seminary. He served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for 70 years. His brother Patrick also became a priest in Pittsburgh.

Helping People in Pittsburgh

In 1937, Rice started St. Joseph's House of Hospitality. He worked with two other priests, Carl Hensler and George Barry O'Toole. This house helped people who needed a place to stay. That same year, the three priests also formed the Catholic Radical Alliance. This group worked for social justice.

During the Great Depression, many people struggled. Rice became very active in helping others. He especially focused on the American labor movement. This movement worked to improve conditions and pay for workers. Rice learned a lot from another priest, Father James Cox, who also helped workers. Rice and the Catholic Radical Alliance supported workers during strikes, like those against the H.J. Heinz Company.

He became friends with important people like Dorothy Day, who was a social activist. He also knew Philip Murray, who started the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. This committee helped steel workers.

Rice helped create the Association of Catholic Trade Unionists. From 1937 to 1969, he had a weekly radio show. On his show, he talked about the labor movement and St. Joseph's House. During World War II, he helped manage housing in the Hill District of Pittsburgh.

Over his 70 years as a priest, Rice led many churches in Pittsburgh. These included St. Joseph's in Natrona, Pennsylvania and St. Anne's in Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania.

Later Years and Continued Activism

For many years, Rice wrote a column for the Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper. He was also an early organizer against the Vietnam War. He joined protests in New York City in April 1967. He strongly believed that America should not be involved in the war.

In the 1980s, many steel factories in Pittsburgh closed. This meant many workers lost their jobs. Rice continued to support these workers during this difficult time. He always stood up for people who needed help.