John Joseph Egan facts for kids

John Joseph Egan (born October 9, 1916 – died May 19, 2001) was an American Roman Catholic priest and a dedicated social activist. He spent his life working for fairness and positive change in society. Father Egan is remembered for his efforts to bring people together and fight against unfair practices.

Early Life and Becoming a Priest

John Joseph Egan first studied business at DePaul University. However, he soon felt called to a different path. He decided to become a priest. He continued his studies at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake. After completing his training, he was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Working for Fairness and Equality

Father Egan believed strongly in racial integration. This means he worked to end unfair separation between people of different races. He wanted everyone to have equal opportunities. In 1965, he joined Martin Luther King Jr. and many others in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama. These marches were a major event in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

He also worked to help people in cities. He was influenced by Saul Alinsky, who was a leader in community organizing. Community organizing is about helping people in a neighborhood work together to solve their own problems. Father Egan helped people find their voice and make changes in their communities.

Fighting Unfair Housing Practices

Father Egan played a big part in helping families get fair housing. He helped start and lead the Contract Buyers League. This group fought against a dishonest practice called "contract selling." In contract selling, Black families were often forced to pay much more for homes than white families. They also didn't truly own the home until the very last payment. If they missed a payment, they could lose everything. Father Egan and the League worked hard to stop this unfair system.

Later Work and Legacy

Later in his life, Father Egan worked at the University of Notre Dame. There, he started the Catholic Committee on Urban Ministry. This group brought together religious leaders and others who wanted to help people in cities. He also helped organize meetings to make sure the voices of Hispanic people were heard within the Catholic Church.

Father John J. Egan helped co-found another group called United Power for Action and Justice. This organization continues to work for community improvement. To honor his important work, the Monsignor John J. Egan Office of Urban Education and Community Partnerships at DePaul University is named after him. His papers, which include many of his writings and records, are kept at the University of Notre Dame Archives.