WASHINGTON – The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) draws nearly 500 leaders working in social ministry and advocacy to the nation’s capital. Organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in collaboration with 20 other organizations, the conference equips these leaders in Catholic social ministry and advocacy to cultivate justice and peace as they engage in communities at home and around the world.
The theme of this year’s gathering is “Missionaries of Hope, Advocates for Justice.” CSMG participants will explore the Catholic Church’s call to respond to pressing domestic and global challenges by encouraging them to think creatively and boldly in their efforts to promote hope, justice, and peace. As the global Catholic Church marks the Jubilee Year 2025, attendees of the conference will be encouraged to reflect and discuss how to protect human dignity and bring a message of hope to communities in a variety of ways. Participants will engage in sessions related to ecology and care for creation, the impact of climate change, migration, refugee resettlement, global conflicts, peacebuilding, poverty, healthcare access, and much more. The final day of the gathering includes visits to Capitol Hill where participants will meet with their elected lawmakers and staff to advocate on related issues.
When: January 25-28, 2025
Where: Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington D.C. 20001
Program and speaker highlights include:
- Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, will speak about cultivating hope through our Catholic social mission in the opening plenary session of CSMG 2025. His message will encourage participants to be steadfast in prayer, learning and advocacy to promote hope and justice in our communities at home and abroad. Paula Gwynn Grant, secretary for communications for the Archdiocese of Washington, will moderate a conversation following Cardinal Pierre’s keynote address.
- Dr. Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America at the Holy See, will reflect on Pope Francis’ vision of “organizing hope” as an effective expression of the principle of subsidiarity in the “Salt and Light Plenary Session: Building Bridges by Organizing Hope.” This plenary session will highlight some of the tools, strategies, and resources from groups supported by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and popular movements in Latin America to create systemic change and bring hope to our communities. Dr. Cuda will also lead a separate discussion on this topic in Spanish. Cecilia Flores, executive director of Catholic Volunteer Network, will moderate a conversation following Dr. Cuda’s keynote address.
- Bishop Joseph J. Tyson, of the Diocese of Yakima, will lead the policy plenary titled, “Pope Francis’ Vision for Ecology, Dialogue, and the Common Good” in which he will share a message of inspiration and hope based on his experience leading a diverse diocese to work together towards the common good. Marilyn Richardson, senior policy and legislative specialist with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), will moderate a conversation following Bishop Tyson’s keynote address.
- Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will offer remarks at the Catholic Charities USA Capitol Hill Reception. This reception will follow the advocacy visits by conference attendees to the lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
- John Berry, president of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, will discuss his organization’s efforts in homelessness prevention and the unique way they bring the hope and promise of Christ to those in need at the welcome reception hosted by The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
- Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), will speak at the Capitol Hill Reception and the Catholic Charities USA Breakfast on CCUSA’s promotion of integral human development through disaster response, immigration, refugee services, affordable housing development, and much more.
- The Catholic Health Association and Catholic Relief Services are also essential collaborators for CSMG and will share their work and ministry throughout the Gathering, especially through featured addresses.
Most workshops and presentations at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering are open to media coverage – for details, please review the full agenda. Journalists who are interested in covering this event should contact Joe Jordan at @email for more information on the media accreditation process.
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