BALTIMORE (MD)
Catholic Democrats
November 10, 2013
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Steve Krueger
617-817-8617
media@catholicdemocrats.org
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
Christopher Jolly Hale
615-424-6003
christopherjollyhale@gmail.com
Catholic Democrats and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good Prayerfully Urge U.S. Bishops to Embrace the Leadership of Pope Francis in Creating “a Church for the Poor”
Will Offer Help to, and Make Recommendations for, All U.S. Bishops and Candidates for their Leadership
WHAT:
Two religious advocacy organizations, Catholic Democrats (CD) and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (CACG), will urge the U.S. bishops to do more for the poor and to become-in the words of Pope Francis-“a Church for the poor.” The organizations will be making specific recommendations that capture the focus and new hope that Pope Francis has brought to both the Catholic Church and the global community. They will also offer their help to the U.S. bishops in solidarity with them and with those living in poverty.
A nationally known expert on Catholic Social Justice ministry, Fr. Ray Kemp of Georgetown University, will discuss one of the recommendations related to social justice ministry in Catholic parishes. He will look at how Catholic social justice can rejuvenate the prophetic role of the Church as a strong and unambiguous advocate for the poor.
CD and CACG will also be releasing a joint public letter to the ten candidates for president and vice-president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The letter will highlight some specific challenges and opportunities the candidates will face and will prayerfully urge the elected candidates to take some additional specific actions on the day of their election.
Despite the passage of six years since the beginning of the Great Recession, the U.S. bishops have yet to collectively issue any statement on poverty. Representatives from Catholic Democrats and Catholics in Alliance will examine how the USCCB’s collective advocacy for the poor has been diminished since the 1980s and 1990s. The two groups will detail the pressing need for the Church to recall its prophetic voice in advocating for the poor at this critical juncture for the United States, the global community, and for the Church, at a time of sustained record poverty and unabated “glaring inequalities.”
Additionally, Catholic Democrats will be available for comment on a new study that looks at a partisan ideological index of the ten U.S. Bishops, Archbishops and Cardinals who have been nominated to become the next USCCB president and vice-president.
WHO:
Rev. Raymond Kemp, Guest Speaker, Georgetown University
Steve Krueger, President, Catholic Democrats
Fred Rotondaro, Chair of the Board, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
WHERE:
Hilton Garden Inn
Chesapeake Room
625 S. President Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: (410) 234-0999
Note: The Hilton Garden Inn is across the street from the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel where the USCCB will be holding its conference.
WHEN:
Monday, November 11th
8:15 AM
Please note time change.
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