Social Justice Issues

The Church has a rich history of involvement in and support of social justice issues consistent with the teachings of the Church. Following are relevant links which will help one find the Church’s position and call for action on the social justice issues of our time.

Africa -- AIDS
U.S. Bishops: A Call to Solidarity with Africa
Catholic Relief Services initiatives
Map of AIDS in Africa

Citizenship
Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility

Criminal Justice
U.S. Bishops' Statement (2002)

Death Penalty
US Bishops' Statement: "A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death"
Statements by Individual Bishops and State Catholic Conferences

Environmental Justice
John Paul II, The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility
U.S. Bishops' 1991 Statement: Renewing the Earth
U.S. Bishops' 2001 Statement: Global Climate Change
SCC Environmental Justice Program

Health Care
Health Care for the Uninsured" Report by U.S. Bishops
U.S. Bishops "Health Care for All" Campaign Brochure

Housing/Homelessness

Hunger
Food Fast: A Hunger Resource for Youth
Catholic Relief Services

Immigration Reform
Pastoral Statements on Immigration
Justice for Immigrants
Justice for Immigrants Parish Campaign materials
USCCB Office of Migration and Refugee Services
Catholic Legal Immigration Network

Peace
Stand Against Violence: Guide for Parishes
Pax Christi USA

Poverty
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Poverty USA: America's Forgotten State
Poverty Quiz
Poverty Tour: A Budgeting Exercise
U.S. Census statistics on poverty and much more
Parish fundraiser which supports indigenous farmers and honors the Earth

Third World Debt
Catholic Campaign on Debt

Women
Diocesan Commission on the Status of Women in the Church and Society – San Bernardino

Legislative Advocacy

Catholics are called to use eyes of faith to bring moral convictions to their civic and political life. Faithful citizenship calls believers to measure all candidates, policies, politics, and platforms by the values of Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching. It is our responsibility to keep in mind and heart the life, dignity, and rights of all people, to do what we can to advance the common good, and especially to protect the poor and vulnerable among us. There is more to Faithful Citizenship than voting responsibly. Catholics are called to participate in the continuing political and legislative process.

Here are some links where you will find the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops teachings on Faithful Citizenship. The California Council of Catholic Bishops’ provides perspectives on more California and regional issues, with good links to the National Council of Catholic Bishops positions as well.

As an example, The California Council of Catholic Bishops webpage on documents provides the reviewer with information relevant to Catholic social justice issues at the California State level, with background links to such important California Catholic Bishop’s statements such as the statement of March 21, 2006 on Immigration Reform, “And Who is My Neighbor”.

NETWORK – a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, is a place where one can find out how the Church advocates for social justice at the national level, with links to organizations which support and advocacy support groups, with information on how to connect with these organizations.