To assist the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida and the faithful, to implement the principles of Catholic Social Teaching through an annual diocesan-wide gathering (LEAVEN Conference) and a system of registered Social Justice Advocates, who help bring Gospel values to domestic and international public policies. The department also sponsors a diocesan-wide Environmental Justice Commission.
News |
| Responding to False Claims About Catholic Organizations Serving Newcomers (August 2024): A new document has been issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops which responds to false claims about Catholic organizations serving newcomers. Highlights from the document are outlined below. The document in its entirety can be found here.
Claims Regarding Criminal Activity (e.g. Trafficking, Smuggling, Harboring, Child Exploitation) Catholic organizations cooperate in providing humanitarian aid with local, state, and federal officials. Further, federal agencies often rely on Catholic organizations for their expertise as trusted partners within local communities. Like all organizations that receive public funds, Catholic organizations are expected to adhere to requirements for the use of those funds, consistent with applicable laws and Church teaching. Unaccompanied migrant children are among the populations that can only be served as part of a formal program established by the federal government. Catholic organizations participating in this program are continuing the Church’s longstanding concern for this vulnerable population and are focused on decreasing opportunities for children to be exploited, not the reverse. Claims Regarding Financial Enrichment, Self-Interest, and Political Motives Catholic organizations have been serving newcomers throughout the history of the United States, well before public funding was offered for this purpose and regardless of who occupied public office. Accusations levied against the Church for providing refugee assistance and resettlement are nothing new; anti-Catholic bias and misinformation has surrounded this ministry since its beginnings. However, assisting newcomers is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy and Integral to Catholic identity. |
