About

While St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Sicklerville, New Jersey, has always been a strong advocate of Catholic Social Teaching, it had no formal ministry to undertake the work required by such a broad spectrum of issues. Sensing the need within the parish, the pastoral council recommended and our pastor Rev. Michael Matveenko, approved The Life and Justice Ministry in May 2018.

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The primary purpose of the Life and Justice ministry is two-fold

1. To provide education regarding Catholic Social Teaching to our parishioners and;

2. To encourage advocacy regarding Catholic Life and Justice issues in the public square.

 

The ministry consists of lay members of the parish who have dedicated themselves to promoting Catholic Social Teaching. The United States Council of Catholic Bishops described the Church’s stance on social issues by saying:

 

Adopting a consistent ethic of life, the Catholic Church promotes a broad spectrum of issues … Opposition to abortion and euthanasia does not excuse indifference to those who suffer from poverty, violence and injustice. Any politics of human life must work to resist the violence of war and the scandal of capital punishment. Any politics of human dignity must seriously address issues of racism, poverty, hunger, employment, education, housing, and health care. Therefore, Catholics should eagerly involve themselves as advocates for the weak and marginalized in all these areas. United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Living the Gospel of Life, 1998

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It is our hope that this website will contribute to a greater understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, which has no ties to any political party or movement. We further hope that this site will serve as a catalyst for our greater involvement as both disciples and citizens in bringing about a more just world where the dignity of every human being from conception to natural death is honored and guaranteed.