Alerts Sign-up
In Washington, amid a flurry of executive actions from the new Trump administration, Cardinal Christophe Pierre delivered a message from Pope Francis to attendees at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' 2025 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG). The gathering is one of the largest assemblies in the United States focused on social ministry and teaching within the church.
Pope Francis encouraged participants to continue being "protagonists of history," working together as part of the "great human family" across the American continent. His letter highlighted the current Jubilee Year as an opportunity to place "organizing hope" at the center of pastoral missions. He acknowledged their efforts for justice and emphasized that without social justice, dignity cannot be guaranteed for every person.
The CSMG, organized by several USCCB departments and national Catholic organizations, runs from January 25-28. It focuses on issues such as immigration, poverty, human trafficking, climate change, and global conflict. Cardinal Pierre recalled Pope Francis’ speech to Congress in 2015, citing figures like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing a prophetic vocation in Christ.
Cardinal Pierre cautioned against political leaders who offer simplistic solutions and stressed that Christian politics should differ. He noted many injustices affecting people and outlined areas where Catholic social ministry can contribute to greater justice.
Highlighting an "inseparable link between justice and hope," Cardinal Pierre identified three focus areas: abolishing the death penalty, ending war, and just treatment for migrants. He praised President Biden's commutation of federal death row sentences but noted President Trump's recent order to resume federal executions.
On war, he stated it would never resolve differences between nations but urged prayer and changing attitudes toward its inevitability. Addressing immigration, he criticized political polarization's impact on migration systems while stressing inherent human dignity.
A vigil Mass concluded with Cardinal Pierre preaching on Luke 4:14-21 about bringing glad tidings to the poor. He reminded listeners of their mission to give hope to the poor and justice to the oppressed.
Kimberley Heatherington reports for OSV News from Virginia.
