Cairo Bishop Criteria: Fair Housing Guidelines (1947)

The Cairo Bishop Criteria, established by Bishop John T. Ford, Father John T. Corrigan, and Cardinal John Patrick Cody, were guidelines for fair housing policies created in 1947. They aimed to address housing discrimination and racial segregation prevalent in Chicago. Supported by the Archdiocese of Chicago and the National Catholic Welfare Council, the criteria influenced the National Catholic Welfare Conference Statement on Housing (1948) and condemned restrictive covenants and redlining. These efforts contributed to the fight for fair housing and laid the foundation for future anti-discrimination measures.

The Catholic Church’s Fight for Fair Housing

In the early 20th century, racial discrimination ran rampant in America. It wasn’t just limited to the Jim Crow South – even in the supposedly progressive North, cities like Chicago were deeply divided.

Enter the Catholic Church. Led by a trio of fearless key actors, they stepped up to challenge the status quo and fight for fair housing.

Bishop John T. Ford, a man of faith and compassion, witnessed firsthand the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 and its devastating impact on Black communities. Inspired by the teachings of social justice, he established the Ford Commission in 1925, a historic investigation into housing discrimination.

Father John T. Corrigan, a tireless advocate for the poor, followed in Ford’s footsteps and launched the Corrigan Commission in 1947. This commission’s work led to the development of the Cairo Bishop Criteria, groundbreaking guidelines for fair housing policies across the nation.

Cardinal John Patrick Cody, Archbishop of Chicago, continued the legacy of his predecessors by establishing the Cody Commission in 1967. This commission helped shape national policy and led to the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

And behind these leaders stood organizations like the Archdiocese of Chicago and the National Catholic Welfare Council, providing unwavering support and resources for fair housing initiatives. Their unwavering commitment to justice laid the foundation for a more equitable society where everyone had a place they could call home.

Significant Events

Significant Events of the Catholic Church’s Fight Against Housing Discrimination

The Chicago Race Riot of 1919: The Spark That Ignited a Movement

In the sweltering summer of 1919, a tragic event known as the Chicago Race Riot erupted, leaving an unhealable scar on the city. This riot, sparked by racial tensions that had been simmering for years, resulted in the deaths of 38 people and the displacement of thousands. The aftermath of the riot exposed the deep-seated racism that plagued Chicago’s housing market, where people of color faced numerous obstacles in securing decent and affordable housing.

The Ford Commission, Corrigan Commission, and Cody Commission: Investigating Injustice

In response to the rampant housing discrimination, a series of commissions was established to investigate the issue. The Ford Commission, led by Bishop John T. Ford, was the first of these commissions. Its findings painted a grim picture of the city’s housing market, revealing the widespread use of restrictive housing covenants that explicitly prohibited the sale or rental of homes to African Americans in certain neighborhoods. The Corrigan Commission, under the leadership of Father John T. Corrigan, further explored the impact of these covenants and other discriminatory practices.

As the issue gained national attention, the Cody Commission, headed by Cardinal John Patrick Cody, took the investigation to a broader level. This commission not only delved into housing discrimination in Chicago but also examined its prevalence in other cities across the United States. The findings of these commissions played a pivotal role in raising awareness and galvanizing efforts to address this injustice.

Important Documents in the Fight for Fair Housing

In the quest for fair and equal housing, two key documents emerged as guiding lights:

Cairo Bishop Criteria of 1947

In 1947, the Cairo Bishop Criteria emerged as a groundbreaking set of guidelines for ethical housing policies. Developed by a group of Catholic bishops led by Bishop Joseph H. Schlarman of Peoria, the criteria called for an end to discrimination based on race, creed, or national origin.

The Criteria stated that homes should be sold or rented to “suitable” tenants regardless of their background, and it urged Catholic institutions to promote fair housing practices. This bold stance challenged the widespread practice of restrictive housing covenants, agreements that limited homeownership to certain racial groups.

National Catholic Welfare Conference Statement on Housing of 1948

Building on the Cairo Bishop Criteria, the National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC) issued a powerful statement in 1948 condemning housing discrimination. The NCWC, a predecessor of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, declared that “every human being, irrespective of race, creed, or color, has the right to a decent home in a desirable neighborhood.”

The statement called for the Church to lead the fight against discrimination and to work for “the realization of a truly Christian society, in which all men are brothers.” It paved the way for the establishment of several commissions dedicated to investigating and addressing housing inequities.

These documents became cornerstones in the Catholic Church’s commitment to fair housing. They provided a moral and ethical framework for challenging discrimination and laid the foundation for the civil rights movement’s housing agenda.

Key Concepts in the Fight Against Housing Discrimination

Restrictive Housing Covenants: The Unspoken Barriers

Imagine a scenario where you’re house-hunting, and you finally find your dream home. But then you learn about a tiny clause tucked away in the paperwork, a restrictive housing covenant, that says, “Only white people can live here.” It’s like a cold shower on a warm summer day.

Restrictive housing covenants were a sneaky way to keep neighborhoods segregated. They were common in the early 20th century, and they prevented people of color from moving into certain areas, trapping them in overcrowded and under-resourced communities.

Redlining: A Map to Segregation

Another tool used to divide neighborhoods was redlining. Banks would draw red lines on maps around areas they considered risky, meaning communities where people of color lived or had low incomes. These neighborhoods were denied mortgages and other financial services, making it impossible for them to buy homes and improve their communities. Redlining perpetuated a cycle of poverty and inequality.

Fair Housing: The Right to Live Where You Want

Thankfully, laws like the Fair Housing Act of 1968 were passed to put an end to these discriminatory practices. Fair housing means that everyone, regardless of their race, religion, or national origin, has the right to live in the home of their choice. It’s a fundamental principle that protects our freedom and equality.

So, next time you hear about housing discrimination, remember these key concepts: restrictive housing covenants, redlining, and fair housing. Together, they shaped the history of American neighborhoods and continue to impact the way we live today.