Frequently Asked Questions about Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good

Catholics in Alliance was founded in 2005 in response to a consensus among national Catholic social justice leaders that a strategic, coordinated approach to media and grassroots outreach was needed to strengthen the voice of the Catholic social tradition in the national values dialogue. Catholics in Alliance provides the only public networking space for the Catholic social justice community to come together for media and communications support, grassroots outreach and strategic coordination. We work with a network of more than 20 national Catholic and interfaith organizations that include laypeople, theologians, priests, and women religious committed to the Christian values of social justice, human dignity and the common good.

Catholics in Alliance works with a variety of Catholic social justice organizations as well as organizations of other faiths committed to advancing the common good. Catholic organizations Catholics in Alliance is proud to work with include NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, the Center of Concern, and Pax Christi USA. Other faith-based groups we work with include Sojourners and Faith in Public Life.

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” -Matthew 25:40

The common good is a classic theme of moral and political philosophy that has deep roots in Catholic Social Teaching. It is about building a society where concern for one another is reflected in the corporations, communities, entertainment and government we produce. Catholic social teaching calls for bold and generous action on behalf of the common good. A culture of the common good supports the health, welfare and advancement of all people, regardless of race, gender, religion or economic class. This core principle of Catholic Social Teaching affirms that society functions best when decisions are made for the benefit of everyone, and not just a few.

“Our human interdependence,” Pope John Paul II wrote, “is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization that promotes awareness of Catholic social teaching and its core values of justice, dignity and the common good to Catholics, the media and Americans of all faiths. Through communications and grassroots outreach, and strategic coordination, Catholics in Alliance supports Catholic organizations that work to advance the common good. Major projects include the Common Good Pledge and the Christmas Campaign.

Yes. Catholics in Alliance works in particular to promote greater awareness of the Catholic social tradition’s principle on the dignity of human life. Our Catholic faith and the Catholic social tradition affirm that all life is sacred, and that every person has essential worth and dignity. We believe that as a society, we must care for all life -- whether young or old, guilty or innocent, born or unborn. We work to promote the essential conditions for a culture of life – a culture that upholds the dignity of the human person over greed, materialism, and the politics of division.

For General Inquiries, email info@catholicsinalliance.org or call 202-429-9680.
For Media Inquiries, email: pwheeler@catholicsinalliance.org or call Pat Wheeler at 202-429-9682

No. Catholics in Alliance is an independent, nonpartisan, lay Catholic organization that promotes awareness of Catholic Social Teaching.