The Social Action Office serves as a voice for the poor and the powerless through justice education, advocacy and community involvement. It promotes social justice by advocating for change, empowering people and monitoring public and private systems. When appropriate, the office takes the diocese’s lead in educating and mobilizing Catholics on social issues. Details on the Church’s position on issues are sent to parish social action representatives on a timely basis.

Services

Education — The social action director visits parishes throughout the state to teach Catholic social teaching. He does this by speaking at RCIA classes, conducting workshops during Advent and Lent or by sending educational resources to the parishes. To learn more about the workshops, contact Tom Navin.

See the seven key themes of this teaching.

Advocacy — The office studies state legislation in order to determine if proposed bills are “for” the common good or “against” the common good (i.e., follows the principles of Catholic social teaching). The office interacts with state representatives and senators to educate them on the Church’s position on pending legislation.

The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church tells us that a sin against the common good and its demands is a social sin that “refers to the relationships between the various human communities. These relationships are not always in accordance with the plan of God, who intends that there be justice in the world and freedom and peace between individuals and groups.” This is why our advocacy work in the diocese is so important, especially when the legislature is in session and public policies and relationships are being determined.

The Diocese of Little Rock Advocacy Team, a ministry of the Social Action Office, is following the 2009 Arkansas General Assembly. Learn more

Communication — The office sends information to parish social action representatives and pastors about social issues being discussed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and how it relates to Catholics in the pew. A Call to Social Action is an e-bulletin that is produced when the legislature is in session.