Justice, Peace & Human Development

Mission & Identity

"The Church cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice."

- Pope BenedictXVI

The Department of Justice, Peace & Human Development (JPHD) promotes awareness of Catholic social teaching and opportunities to live the Baptismal call to love God and neighbor.

Efforts include the anti-poverty mission of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, as well as advocacy in support of poor and vulnerable persons and communities, in the U.S. and abroad.
JPHD's work is guided by the Committees on International Justice and Peace, Domestic Justice and Human Development and the Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

JPHD: Working On The Margins In The United States

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act
On November 3, 2021, as the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to consider the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act, six bishop chairmen of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) write a letter to Congress on the legislation.

Federal Budget Reconciliation
In a September 7, 2021 letter to Congress, the chairmen of five USCCB committees ask Congress to work toward policies that will help those on the margins of society, strengthen families, protect religious freedom, promote care for creation, and respect the rights and dignity of every human life.

Growing Climate Solutions Act
On September 7. 2021 Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Mr. James Ennis, Executive Director of Catholic Rural Live, write to Congress in support of the Growing Climate Solutions Act, a bill empowering farmers to develop climate solutions that benefit agriculture as well as the environment.

Labor Day Statement for 2021
For Labor Day, September 6, 2021, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley issues an annual statement, A Dream for a Better Economy.  

Bishop Chairman Welcomes Update to USDA Benefit Addressing Hunger
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley issues a statement on August 21, 2021 welcoming the USDA’s update to the Thrifty Food Plan and the resulting increase in SNAP benefit amounts.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Since 2013, CCHD has invested nearly $2.5 million to support environmental justice. Learn how CCHD is helping communities support environmental justice.

 More United States Issues

JPHD: Working On The Margins Internationally

Catholic Leaders Call for Global Discernment and Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis at COP26
In advance of the UN annual meeting on climate, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, together with Mr. Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), release an October 31, 2021 statement . 

Letter to Secretary of State Blinken Regarding Conflict in South Sudan
In an October 31, 2021 letter to Secretary of State Blinken,  Bishop David J. Malloy writes  to share the Committee’s long-standing concern over the state of conflict and the horrible toll in lives lost and property destroyed due to the intractable conflict in South Sudan. 

Letter to Secretary of State Blinken Regarding Negotiations on Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation
On September 24, 2021, Bishop David J. Malloy writes to Secretary of State Blinken to commend  the Administration for undertaking the difficult work of progressing towards international arms control and nuclear disarmament.

Letter to Secretary of State Blinken Regarding Evacuations from Afghanistan
On Septermber 13, 2021, Bishop David J. Malloy writes to Secretary of State Blinken to urge every effort to evacuate all remaining U.S. citizens and as many SIV applicants and other refugees as possible assuring all necessary and due vetting of such applicants is accomplished. 

U.S. Bishop Chairmen Respond to Evolving Crisis in Afghanistan
In response to events in Afghanistan, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, and Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, issue an August 17th, 2021 statement.

More International Issues

Resources

Pope Francis' Social Teaching
These quotes from Pope Francis arample of his teaching on poverty, economic justice, care for creation, human rights and other issues. | en Español

Environment
Learn more about God's gift of creation and the Church's teaching on the environment with our new resources.

New Success Stories on WeAreSaltAndLight.org 
Success stories on WeAreSaltAndLight.org show hopeful examples of how Catholics are praying, reaching out, learning and acting together. Here arew that were recently profiled:

• Immigrant women get empowered, create change (Hidalgo County, TX)
• Refugee simulation helps students encounter, learn to advocate (Radnor, PA)
• Encountering our Muslim brothers and sisters (St. Louis, MO)
• Schools unite for life and justice (Cleveland, OH)
• Students help parents advocate for rights of incarcerated children (New Orleans, LA)
• Diocese celebrates Year of Creation (Burlington, VT)
• High school engages students in nonviolent peacemaking (Washington, DC)

CST101 Videos and Educational Materials | en Español

CST 101 iollaborative 7-part video and discussion guide series presented by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services on Catholic Social Teaching. The videos bring the themes of Catholic social teaching to life and inspire us to put our faith into action. Some suggested uses of the videos and discussion guides include adult faith formation settings, high school theology classes, in lay ministry formation and to prepare groups for service trips. The series also includes downloadable posters and handouts for adults and kids, in English and Spanish. The artwork featured in the videos and accompanying videos are courtesy of Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS.