Advocacy

Advocacy flows from the prophetic tradition of being the voice for the voiceless. In advocacy work, Catholics are called to change the social, economic and cultural laws, structures and traditions which oppress our brothers and sisters.

One aspect of advocacy work is education- being informed on issues and the relation to Catholic social teaching- and the other aspect is action-usually in alerting politicians about your view as a constituent.

If you would like to know more about the interface of domestic and international issues with Catholic Social Teaching, you can visit the website of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. You can sign up to receive their action alerts by subscribing on their website.

There are many organizations which send out educational materials as well as legislative alerts around social justice topics. You can click on the links below to sign up for legislative alerts from these organizations:

Network is a national Catholic social justice lobby. They have both educational materials as well as the ability to link you with your legislators with letters in keeping with Catholic social teaching.

Catholic Relief Services sends out legislative alerts. Visit their Action Center to learn more about issues which impact millions in our world today.

Click here for the notes from Sr. Diane Guerin's presentation on 7/27/11.

You can also visit the websites of these other organizations:

Justice for Immigrants- This is a department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops working for comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S.

Pax Christi USA - This organization works to promote peace by addressing underlying issues of injustice.

Sojourners- This Christian organization works on a broad array of justice issues. They educate as well as advocate.

Bread for the World- This Christian organization deals with advocacy with our leaders to end hunger here and abroad.

Center of Concern- This Catholic group's focus is more on education than advocacy. They do include resources for just living and also justice reflections on the lectionary readings.

Interfaith Worker Justice- This organization deals specifically with labor issues in the U.S.

Pace e Bene- This group offers education, resources and action for nonviolent change.

Awakening the Dreamer- The mission of this organization is "to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet."

Nature Conservancy- This group works on educating persons about environmental issues.

Detention Watch Network- This organization deals with detention and deportation issues around immigration.

Southern Poverty Law Center - They specifically deal with discrimination and hate crimes in the U.S.

Human Rights Watch- This organization deals with human rights issues around the world. They do have a section on regional issues.

Mercy Beyond Borders- This organization run by the Sisters of Mercy works with changing the lives of women and girls.