Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM) graduate student Ashley Elisar has been named lead researcher for a project funded by a grant from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). The Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors received the CCHD grant and selected LIM as its education partner for implementation.  The project involves studying how the Catholic Church in the United States can be more effective in promoting and acting on the powerful and inspiring tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Ashley will conduct interviews and gather other data from members of the Catholic Roundtable, CCHD, US Bishops, diocesan Social Ministry Directors, and other key stakeholders around the country. She will then develop a picture of social ministry in the United States today and identify opportunities for increasing awareness of it and action inspired by it. 

The products of the research will be publications and presentations that

• the Catholic Roundtable can use to broaden its membership and inform its work in supporting the social mission of the Church.

• will be shared with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Office of Justice, Peace & Human Development, CCHD, other USCCB offices, and individual Bishops.

• will be disseminated more broadly to collaborating organizations such as Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, and others.

The hope is that, as a result of this research, the US Catholic Church can be even more clearly identified with knowledge of, commitment to, and action on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and so be an even more faithful witness to God’s love, mercy, and justice in the world today.