The committee assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, in advancing the social mission of the Church through education, policy development, and advocacy. The committee advises the bishops on issues of human dignity and development.
KEY MISSION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Sharing and promoting the social teachings of the Church through national and regional education efforts.
- Applying Catholic social teaching to significant domestic issues that have moral and religious dimensions, including poverty, health care, civil rights, and criminal justice, especially regarding the death penalty.
- Advocating for the poor and vulnerable, in the public policy arena.
- Building the capacity of the Church (national, diocesan, and parish) to defend human life, dignity, and rights; and to protect God's creation.
Addressing the sin of racism, especially through the work of the Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation.
KEY MISSION RELATIONSHIPS
- With other USCCB committees/offices: including Racial Justice and Reconciliation, National Collections - Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Doctrine, International Justice and Peace, and Pro-Life.
- With dioceses and related ministries.
- With USCCB Office of Government Relations.
- With state Catholic Conferences in coordination with USCCB Office of Government Relations.
- With national Catholic organizations.
- With public policy think tanks and networks.
- With national justice and peace organizations.
- With the Holy See and other episcopal conferences through the USCCB General Secretariat.