Final answer:
The Catholic Worker movement is connected to the broader Social Gospel Movement, which sought to apply Christian ethics to social issues such as poverty and labor conditions, influenced by thinkers like Charles Sheldon. This tradition continued with Liberation Theology, which also promoted social change through Christian doctrine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Catholic Worker movement, which began with the publication of a newspaper, was instrumental in promoting the social teachings of the Church and aiming to transform society towards peace and justice. This movement is a later expression of the broader Social Gospel Movement that became prominent during the early twentieth century. The Social Gospel Movement, influenced by the likes of minister Charles Sheldon and espoused in his novel In His Steps, called on Christians to consider 'What would Jesus do?' to address social issues such as poverty, labor conditions, and income inequality. Urban churches and civic organizations took on a practical approach exemplified by the establishment of settlement houses and various services aimed at improving the quality of life for the urban poor, aligning with the philosophy of the social gospel which emphasized acting in the secular world as much as preparing for the afterlife.
Liberation Theology is another significant religious reform movement, emerging within the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America during the 1950s and '60s, seeking to address social injustice, discrimination, and poverty. Although it arose later, it shares the earlier movement’s goal of applying Christian principles to societal issues. Both movements represent a critical historical development within Christian social activism and are a testament to the power of faith-based advocacy in addressing societal concerns, pushing towards the fairer treatment of workers, and challenging patterns of discrimination and poverty.