Catholic Charities In the News
Catholic Charities urged to ‘blow its own horn’
October 4, 2008 - The Clarion Herald
By Florence Herman
While former czar of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives John DiIulio was unstinting in his praise of the work they do, he also cautioned those attending the Catholic Charities USA conference in New Orleans that they need to be more vocal about their work.
“When I was at the White House,” he said, “I met many groups from many faith-based organizations. And I noticed that Catholics did not blow their own horn about the work they were doing, only about the people they served.”
While humility is a great virtue, he said, “I would suggest – as you embark on your project to cut the poverty rate in half in this country – that you need to get your story out more aggressively.”
He said Catholic Charities is the unquestioned leader among faith-based communities serving in America, bar none, but they need to tell the story.
DiIulio was lavish in his praise of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans for their work in the city following 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.
“They were not in the greatest shape themselves,” DiIulio said, “but they went to work with a covenant to serve the poor. They mounted an attack on the sinful inequalities laid bare by the storm. It is amazing what Catholic Charities can do.”
DiIulio said Catholic Charities agencies are “almost always the first ones to light a candle after a disaster, and then they begin to advocate with power companies to get the electricity turned back on.”
The example set by Catholic Charities in its work after Katrina was an inspiring example, especially for young people, he said.
“Nothing is more inspiring than Catholic social teaching, walking the walk,” DiIulio said. “But in New Orleans’ case, it was wading in service to him who walked on water. Nothing inspires young people more than the example of people who are taking it seriously.”
DiIulio, the Frederic Fox Leadership Professor of Politics, Religion and Civil Society at the University of Pennsylvania, said the workers should be proud to be part of a group of people whose purpose is to “serve the needy and neglected of all religions and no religions.”
“There never has been a time were Catholic Charities is more important than today,” he said.
DiIulio said he has made many trips to New Orleans since Katrina and used his observations to get the University of Pennsylvania involved.
“After my first visit, I went back turbo-charged,” DiIulio said. “It was my feeling that Penn should be involved – that students of every faith should be involved” in recovery.
DiIulio admitted he loves to visit New Orleans because, he said, looking at his girth, “a guy like me who loves to eat can find sympathy.”
DiIulio feels certain that the government partnership with non-profits will continue even with a change of administration in Washington.
“Today, about three-quarters of Americans agree that the government can partner with faith-based organizations as long as the money is not used to proselytize,” DiIulio said.
He urged Catholic Charities to continue its work for the poor. “The one option Jesus Christ gave us was not a stock option, it was a preferential option for the poor,” he said, eliciting gales of laughter.
He called “begrudging poor children a little extra health insurance” morally despicable.
DiIulio urged Catholic Charities workers to carry forth the message to address the needs of the poor. “Be pro-poor, when it’s fashionable – and when it’s not,” he said.
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