Policy & Advocacy
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering 2015 Message to Congress
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering 2015 Message to Congress
To Go Forth: Encountering Christ in the Heart of the World
Hundreds of Catholic leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 2015 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. They answered Pope Francis’s call to “encounter Christ in the heart of the world” by urging Congress to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in federal policy.
Every day in every corner of the world, the Catholic Church--Catholic Charities, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, and thousands of schools, hospitals, parishes and NGOs--works to draw a “Circle of Protection” around the “least of these.” The federal government is a vital partner in that work. Congress should eliminate sequestration and prioritize programs that help people living in poverty, both at home and abroad. After 13 years of war, we have learned that force alone does not achieve peace. Catholic Social Teaching tells us that integral development of peoples is the new name of peace and that peace is built on justice and solidarity.
Action Steps for Congress
- End sequestration and prioritize domestic and international anti-poverty programs.
- Reform health and nutrition programs without harming those in need.
- Reduce excessive military spending and reinvest in peacebuilding.
- Pass a Child Nutrition Act that expands access and protects gains.
- Enact comprehensive immigration reform grounded in Catholic social teaching.
- Support U.S. leadership toward a two-state solution and maintain assistance to Palestinians.
Parishes and dioceses can amplify this message by hosting advocacy workshops, sharing testimonies of those served by Catholic charities, and engaging local legislators. Embodying Pope Francis’s call means moving beyond statements—actively forging partnerships that link faith to concrete policy outcomes in areas of poverty, migration, and peace.