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

The Chicago Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the Archdiocese of Chicago’s domestic anti-poverty, social justice program.  Our mission is to address and combat the root causes of poverty in America.  Founded in 1969 in Chicago by Bishop Mike Dempsey, the CCHD's innovated pastoral strategy was the empowerment of the poor through a methodology of participation and education for justice, impelled by the Church's biblical tradition, Catholic social teaching, and pervasive poverty in the United States. We have fought for affordable housing, empowering seniors, defending human life and dignity, immigrant justice, safe neighborhoods, supporting the organizing efforts of people with disabilities, promoting family stability and fighting for worker’s rights.

Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical letter Caritas in Veritate - Charity in Truth, is the driving inspiration behind the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

This program is our attempt to honor the intent of the Bishops that being a “faithful citizen” is not merely something required of us in an election year, but a 24/7/365 commitment.

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.

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.