Unemployment and Poverty

"In our Catholic parishes, schools, charities, hospitals and other ministries, the poor, the underemployed and the unemployed are not issues, but people with names and faces.  It is an essential part of our work as Catholics to build a more just society and economy. We feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, educate the young, welcome refugees and care for the sick and vulnerable. The Church serves and stands in solidarity with those who are poor and jobless, helping them break the cycle of poverty and act on behalf of their own families and communities. We will continue to urge our leaders to assist and protect the poor and jobless as they seek to promote economic growth and fiscal responsibility. The Catholic community will strengthen our work with others to address the economic, family, social and other factors which contribute to widespread poverty."

Archbishop Timothy Dolan, September 15, 2011
Letter to Bishops on Economic Situation

USCCB Resources

Primer on Poverty, an Option for the Poor, and the Common Good

The Deficit "Super Committee" and Protecting the Poor at Home and Abroad

Bishops letter to the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Supercommittee”)

2011 Labor Day Statement

USCCB Report on the Debt Ceiling Debate

Primer on Labor in Catholic Social Thought

Catholic Framework for Economic Life

A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children
A Pastoral Reflection of the U.S. Catholic Bishops 

Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

When Unemployment Hits Home: Seven Ways to Help Your Marriage

How the Financial Downturn Affects Marriage

Living Simply: A Lasting and Fulfilling Way of Life

Prayer and Liturgical Resources

Government Resources

US Census Bureau 2010 Poverty Report
 - Full Report
 - Official Press Release (Executive Summary)
 - State and Local Poverty Statistics Summary

Local Poverty Data from the American Community Survey
 - Enter a location on in the search bar on the right 
- Click on the "Narrative Profile" to download a summary of the statistics

National Monthly Unemployment Report

Nonprofit and Faith-based Resources

Circle of Protection

Faith Advocates for Jobs 

Catholic News Service article on Poverty Report 

Poverty USA (Catholic Campaign for Human Development)

Fighting Poverty with Faith (Catholic Charities USA)