MEDIA ADVISORY: 2018 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering Seeks to Bring Voice of Faith to Public Square

The 2018 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and 16 collaborating organizations, attracts more than 500 participants from around the country and seeks to equip Catholic leaders to bring the voice of faith to the public square.

January 24, 2018

The 2018 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and 16 collaborating organizations, attracts more than 500 participants from around the country and seeks to equip Catholic leaders to bring the voice of faith to the public square. This year's theme is "Building Community: A Call to the Common Good." Participants will focus on issues such as racism, the environment and immigration.

When: February 3-6, 2018.

Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street, NW, Washington DC, 20008.

Speakers to include:

  • Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, will address the ramifications of racism in society and the Church, followed by a panel discussion of community leaders.
  • Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee for the Church in Latin America, will deliver a Keynote Presentation on "Where is your brother?"
  • A Plenary and Dialogue on "Moving from a Throwaway Culture to a Culture of Encounter" will include Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA; Dr. Maryann Cusimano-Love, Professor, The Catholic University of America; and others.
  • Mauricio López, Executive Secretary of the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM), will deliver a Plenary Presentation on "Solidarity in Our Common Home," in anticipation of the 2019 Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon announced recently by Pope Francis. This will be followed by a panel discussion of indigenous leaders including Mary Louise Worthy, Chief, Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC; Jacques Bahati, Africa Faith and Justice Network; Adelson Da Silva, Indigenous Leader, Brazil; and Haszel Dallana Contreras, Pastoral Agent, Colombia.

Joining the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development in organizing the Gathering are numerous other USCCB departments and national Catholic organizations, including Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Rural Life, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and others.

Press release available at: www.usccb.org/news/2017/17-249.cfm.

Coverage of the meeting is open to credentialed media. Reporters interested in covering the gathering can download a credential application form and submit it by email.

More information is available online: www.catholicsocialministrygathering.org/.

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Keywords: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Catholic Social Ministry Gathering; Bishop George V. Murry; Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, Committee on Justice, Peace and Human Development; Bishop Eusebio L. Elizondo; Subcommittee for the Church in Latin America, Catholic Relief Services, CRS, Catholic Charities USA, CCUSA, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Rural Life, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities; racial unrest, racism, immigration, restorative justice, Ferguson, environment, migration policy, V Encuentro, nuclear threat, opioid abuse, affordable housing


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Media Contact:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

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