Clara Hensler (sister; aka Sister Estelle), Paul Joseph Hensler (brother), Cecilia Hensler Johnson (sister), John Francis Hensler (brother), Mildred Hensler Graham (sister), Francis Gerard Hensler (brother), Mary Hensler (cousin)
Monsignor Carl Peter Hensler (November 7, 1898 – November 1984) was an American Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.[1] Nicknamed "the Labor Priest" in recognition of the help and support he gave to the Steel Workers union during his early career,[2] he also became a founding member of the Catholic Radical Alliance. Describing the alliance in 1937, Hensler said:[3]
"We contend that the relationship between Catholicism and Capitalism is one of fundamental opposition, which cannot be removed unless the ax of reform is laid to the very roots."
During the 1950s, he was assigned as pastor of St. George's Catholic Church,[4] and was also appointed director of the Institute of Adult Education, which was sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.[5]
Formative years
Born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania on November 7, 1898, Carl Peter Hensler was a son of Charles P. Hensler and Margaret E. (Klein) Hensler and the brother of Clara Hensler (later known as Sister Estelle), Paul Joseph Hensler, Cecilia Hensler (married surname Johnson), John Francis Hensler, Mildred Hensler (married surname Graham), and Francis Gerard Hensler.[6]
After initial ministries at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania[12] and at St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Braddock, Pennsylvania,[13] he left for China on August 7, 1930 to help establish the Catholic University of Peking.[14][15][16] His time there was challenging due to political unrest in the region and the escalating conflict between China and Japan, as well as the school's financial instability.[17][18][19]
By the end of 1933, he was back in Pittsburgh, celebrating Christmas masses as an assistant pastor at St. Lawrence Church.[20][21] During this period of his life, he also became a founding member of the Catholic Radical Alliance.[22] In December 1934, he presented a lecture to the St. Lawrence Parent Teachers' Association, entitled "Human Rights Versus Property Rights."[23]
In 1951, he was appointed as the pastor of St. George's Church.[24] In 1958, he became the director of the Institute of Adult Education, which was sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.[25]
Hensler died at the age of 86 at the North Hills Passavant Hospital on November 21, 1984.[26][27] Funeral masses were held at St. Wendelin Church in Carrick, Pennsylvania on November 23 and 24.[28][29]
References
^"Monsignor Carl P. Hensler Dies." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 22, 1984, p. 175 (subscription required).
^"Church Activities." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, December 16, 1933, p. 16 (subscription required).
^"Rev. Hensler to Lecture." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, September 22, 1935, p. 2 (subscription required).
^"Priests of 'Radical Alliance' Rub Elbows with Strike Pickets" (includes photo of Hensler), Marshfield News-Herald, October 14, 1937.
^"Activities Are Listed by P.T.A." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, December 23, 1934, p. 20 (subscription required).
^"Msgr. Hensler: Pastor of St. George's Keeps Cemetery Trim," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 13, 1960.
^"Diocesan Classes Open to All Races, Creeds: Teens or Aged Finding Culture, Education at Pittsburgh's Fastest Growing 'School,'" The Pittsburgh Press, January 19, 1958, p. 4.
^Kenneth J. Heineman A Catholic New Deal: Religion and Reform in Depression Pittsburgh. Penn State Press, 1999 page 211 ISBN0-271-01896-8
^"Monsignor Carl P. Hensler Dies," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 22, 1984.
^"Masses for priest." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 23, 1984, p. 10 (subscription required).
^"Hensler" (funeral notice). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 22, 1984, p. 175 (subscription required).
Sources
Archives of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Record Group 22, subgroup 01I [1]
