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What does being a Catholic Social Worker Mean for Advocating for Poor and Vulnerable People?

What does being a Catholic Social Worker Mean for Advocating for Poor and Vulnerable People?. CSWNA Conference- June 23, 2011 Kathy Saile, MSW Director, Domestic Social Development, USCCB E-mail: ksaile@usccb.org. Two Feet of Social Action. 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching.

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What does being a Catholic Social Worker Mean for Advocating for Poor and Vulnerable People?

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  1. What does being a Catholic Social Worker Mean for Advocating for Poor and Vulnerable People? CSWNA Conference- June 23, 2011 Kathy Saile, MSW Director, Domestic Social Development, USCCB E-mail: ksaile@usccb.org

  2. Two Feet of Social Action

  3. 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching • Life and Dignity of the Human PersonThe Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. • Call to Family, Community, and ParticipationThe person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. • Rights and ResponsibilitiesThe Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. • Option for the Poor and VulnerableA basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. • The Dignity of Work and the Rights of WorkersThe economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. • SolidarityWe are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. • Care for God’s CreationWe show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.

  4. NASW Code of Ethics The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the profession’s history, are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective: • service • social justice • dignity and worth of the person • importance of human relationships • integrity • competence

  5. “[I]t is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person.... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life.” Catechism of Catholic Church Nos. 1913-1915

  6. Blacks, Women & Poor Lose Ground in Life Expectancy Doctors Prepare Their Professions to Explain and Treat Climate-Related Symptoms Abortion Rate Down Overall, Up Among Poor Women Dads more active in children's lives than in years past - also growing number of dads don't live with their children Nearly 14 million Americans remain involuntarily unemployed. AIDS infection rate remains epidemic in Washington, D.C. Violence, dismal healthcare and brutal poverty make Afghanistan the world's most dangerous country for women Hunger is not a natural disaster – it's a political problem. Signs of the Times

  7. U.S.Catholic bishops write Congress with moral criteria for budget: • Every budget decision should be assessed by whether it protects or threatens human life and dignity. 2. A central moral measure of any budget proposal is how it affects “the least of these” (Matthew 25). The needs of those who are hungry and homeless, without work or in poverty should come first. 3. Government and other institutions have a shared responsibility to promote the common good of all, especially ordinary workers and families who struggle to live in dignity in difficult economic times.

  8. A Circle of Protection:A Statement on Why We Need toProtect Programs for the Poor As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resist budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people. Therefore, we join with others to form a Circle of Protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad. (www.circleofprotection.us)

  9. www.usccb.org/cchd and www.povertyusa.org

  10. Take Legislative Action! capwiz.com/catholicbishops/issues/ Legislative Alerts and UpdatesNews and information about important issues. Current LegislationSummaries and status information about key bills. Capitol Hill BasicsTips about communicating with Members and general information about Hill staffers, the legislative process and more.

  11. State Catholic Conferenceswww.nasccd.org A state Catholic conference is a church agency representing the dioceses within a state in order to provide for the coordination of the public policy concerns of the church. To learn more about the work of state Catholic conferences: • Explore the web sites of the respective state Catholic conferences. • Read the latest news and updates from the conferences. • Search the web sites of all the state Catholic conferences at one time.

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