WHAT'S NEW

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

During Lent, we can prepare our hearts to respond to the call to form our consciences in order to participate in political life during election season and beyond, as an expression of love for neighbor.

Eucharist and Social Mission

The Eucharist, celebrated as a community, teaches us about human dignity, calls us to right relationship with God, ourselves and others, invites us to community and solidarity, and sends us on mission to help transform our communities, neighborhoods and world. Visit this page for resources and reflections.

Mission & Identity

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

- Pope BenedictXVI

Pope Francis accepts a hug from a girl as he arrives to celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

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 PeaceDomestic Justice and Human Development and the Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

 

JPHD: Working On The Margins In The United States

Letter to Congress Regarding Child Tax Credit
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop Robert E. Barron, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop Mark J. Seitz, Ms. Kerry Alys Robinson, January 9, 2024

Letter to Congress in Support of the FOREST Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, December 13, 2023

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

Holy Week Call to Prayer for an End to the Israel-Hamas War
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio and Bishop A. Elizas Zaidan, March 23, 2024

Letter to Congress in Support of Resolution Recognizing Religious Freedom as a Fundamental Human Right
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, March 22, 2024

Bishop Zaidan Prays for and Expresses Solidarity with the People of Haiti and Calls for U.S. and International Support
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, March 15, 2024

Letter to Congress on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Reauthorization Act of 2024
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, February 29, 2024

Statement Calling for Peace and Humanitarian Aid as War-Torn Ukraine Marks Two Years Since Russian Invasion
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, February 23, 2024

 

 

More International Issues

Resources

Resources and Tools to Learn, Reflect, and Act
We are called as missionary disciples to bear witness in the world. JPHD has numerous resources in English and Spanish to help Catholics engage in the Church’s social mission. Visit the Resources and Tools page and the Fe en Acción page today and take advantage of the numerous resources available to put your faith in action.

The Mystery of the Eucharist and the Call to Love and Transform 
What do the Eucharistic Revival, the U.S. bishops’ 2021 statement on the Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church, and our Catholic social mission have in common? All form and send missionary disciples to transform our communities in God’s vision of love and justice. Read a new short reflection, The Mystery of the Eucharist and the Call to Love and Transform, which can help communities pray, reflect, and discern how to respond to Christ’s call to love one another. The reflection is also available in Spanish.

Civilize It: A Better Kind Of Politics
Civilize It: A Better Kind Of Politics is a response to Pope Francis’ invitation to model “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good” (Fratelli Tutti, no. 154). Commit to seeking the truth, building bridges, and finding solutions together that promote the common good. Individuals, families, and communities can participate. Take the pledge today!

CST101 Videos and Educational Materials | en Español
CST 101 collaborative 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.

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

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

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