Issues
Social Justice
“Love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind, is as essential to her as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel. The Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word.”
— Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), Pope Benedict XVI, 2005
Christ House courtesy of Catholic Charities of Arlington
Following Jesus’ command to care for “the least of these,” Catholics are compelled to feed the hungry, heal the sick, bury the dead, welcome the migrant and visit the imprisoned.
In the public sphere, they are obliged to advocate on behalf of the common good and for a more just world. Therefore, the Conference works toward public policy that addresses many social problems, including policy that reduces poverty and advances economic justice, fair migration laws, criminal justice reform and care for creation.
Recently …
News, statements or actions
- US Bishops urge Congress to remember poor, strengthen family in tax reform efforts
- Administration’s immigration principles don’t protect immigrant children, family, says US Bishop chairman
- US Church joins Pope Francis’ “Share the journey” campaign in solidarity with refugees, migrants
- US Bishops form Ad Hoc Committee to study, seek solutions for sin of racism
- USCCB president, chairmen urge Homeland Security to defer deporting refugees who fled religious persecution
- US Bishops on President’s decision to withdraw from Paris climate accord
Living our faith
Catholic Church ministries and resources that serve the most vulnerable include the following:
- Emergency and poverty assistance: Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Arlington and in the Diocese of Richmond central and western and eastern regions.
- St. Francis assisted living and nursing care for the low-income elderly
- St. Margaret of Cortona transitional housing for homeless families
- Prison ministry: Diocese of Arlington; Diocese of Richmond
- Refugee resettlement: Diocese of Arlington; Diocese of Richmond
- Care for the poor around the world: Catholic Relief Services
Courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Join our email network
Imagine 700,000 Virginia Catholics standing together for life, justice, family and the common good.