From Catholic School Rooms to a Radicalised Student Movement

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This collection features essays and interviews from participants in the Young Christian Student movement (YCS) within the Australian Catholic Church, active from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Founded in Australia in 1942, YCS primarily served secondary Catholic school students, growing to 25,000 members by the 1960s. Groups varied in size, with many schools and dioceses hosting YCS chapters. However, by the late 1960s and early 1970s, significant changes occurred. Leadership began shifting towards a more student-led structure, inspired by Joseph Cardijn, founder of the Young Christian Workers movement. During this time, Australian YCS participated in international meetings, and overseas leaders visited Australia, raising awareness of global issues like oppressive regimes and apartheid. Reports of YCS leaders facing imprisonment and violence abroad reached the Australian National Office in Melbourne, prompting a national response. Tensions arose between bishops and national leadership, leading to the closure of many school groups. Some clergy were uncertain about the movement's direction, with bishops perceiving it as increasingly left-wing and political. Today, the Australian YCS has very few active groups and participants.