About Us

Our Programs

Since 1979 the Office for Peace and Justice has carried out the Gospel call to love God, our neighbors and all of God’s creation. Jesus calls us to be Christian witnesses by acting upon our faith to promote social justice. Through its many programs and initiatives, the Office for Peace and Justice provides Catholics with a variety of opportunities to live out God’s call for all people to support justice and peace throughout the world.

Our goal is to encourage our sisters and brothers to take an active role in offering a hand up rather than a hand out to those living on the margins of our society. Ensuring that through awareness and education that everyone is afforded the opportunity to live a life of dignity.

It is our hope to encourage strong global solidarity among the developing nations, by not only offering financial support, but learning from them as well. In sharing our gifts and talents we are both enriched, mentally, physically and spiritually, growing ever closer to uniting the “beloved community” and building up the “Kingdom of God”.

 

Catholic Relief Services

CRS was founded in 1943 by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to assist the poor and disadvantaged outside of the U.S. CRS works to build global solidarity in the U.S. and alleviate human suffering around the world. CRS is active in over 100 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. CRS responds to emergencies like famine and war and assists with community-driven, economic development projects abroad. The Archdiocese of Chicago recently embarked on a Global Solidarity Partnership with the Diocese of Mongu, Zambia. The Partnership program provides an opportunity for a relationship between dioceses that are mutually transforming and that promote justice and peace.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development

“Whatever you did to one of these, the least of my people, that you did unto me.” (Matthew 25:40) The mission of CCHD since 1970, has been to address the root causes of poverty through education and through supporting social justice causes as they adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Catholic Social Teaching impels us to practice God’s love for humanity. As an instrument of evangelization, CCHD places the value of the human person and society in relationship with the light of the Gospel. CCHD has supported programs that focus on economic development in low-income communities by addressing some of the issues that perpetuate poverty. CCHD is continually seeking for more avenues to break cycles of poverty that have yet to be addressed, mirroring The Social Doctrine of the Church. CCHD funds come from parishes that participate in the CCHD annual collection, taken on the third weekend in November each year.

Parish Sharing

Parish Sharing embodies the spirit of the earliest Christian communities by providing a means for Catholics of the Archdiocese of Chicago to share their gifts of time, talent and treasure. Parishes are linked to one another across economic, racial, ethnic, and geographic lines for the purpose of building relationships and enriching the faith lives of individuals and communities. For almost 40 years, Parish Sharing has resulted in real and positive changes in peoples’ lives.

Domestic Violence Committee

The DVC is a committee based on Catholic Social Teaching with the intent to encourage religious leaders and congregations to improve their skills in understanding and responding to domestic abuse. The DVC strives to promote justice and to cultivate trust by fostering a culture of respect and empowerment for victims by building a skilled support network comprised of faith leaders and parishioners. DVC works to increase understanding of the concerns voiced by victims and to respond to those concerns in a way that reflects Catholic social values.

Justice Education & Advocacy

The OPJ offers a variety of educational materials and presentations to Catholic parishes, schools and institutions. Additionally, the Office promotes advocacy efforts to assist the poor and vulnerable in the Chicago area, the US and throughout the world. The OPJ is actively engaged in a number of issues including health care access, war and anti-violence, affordable housing, politics, voting and legislative issues.