Catholic Charities under Social Concerns & Advocacy works to educate parishioners, policy makers, and the broader public on issues affecting vulnerable human lives at all stages of life, from conception to natural death. The organization promotes a greater understanding of the call of Catholic social ministry to work for both charity and justice and advocates for action to create positive change in society. Social Concerns and Advocacy encompass:
- Catholic Campaign for Human Development (National Collection, Local Grants and Poverty Awareness)
- Catholic Relief Services (Rice Bowl Collection, Mini-Grants and Global Solidarity Awareness)
- Disaster Response (in coordination with agency leadership team)
- Education – Sharing Catholic Social Teaching & current issues of social concern, Diocesan Respect Life Conference (annual), Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia (biennial).
- Promoting Catholic Identity and Mission within Catholic Charities
- Public Policy – Promoting Faithful Citizenship, Advocacy Tips and Tools
- Respect Life – Promoting a respect for human life from conception to natural death through education and action.
The Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy also assists the Diocese of Charlotte in Disaster Response appeals, as directed by the Chancery, when disasters strike domestically and globally. When disasters strike locally in the Diocese of Charlotte, Catholic Charities will assess the situation, and the relevant regional office of the agency will respond given resources available and the need to be addressed.
You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
Contact information
Joseph Purello
Social Concerns and Advocacy Director
704-370-3225
jtpurello@ccdoc.org