US Catholic Bishops Continue to Endorse Cross Catholic

Most Rev. Carl A. Kemme, Bishop of Wichita, is one of the eight Catholic Bishops who sit on our board of directors. With the upcoming World Day of the Poor, Bishop Kemme reflected on the work of Cross Catholic Outreach and our model of providing aid through the concept of integral human development.

Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez
Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez
Bishop Mark E. Brennan
Bishop Lawrence T. Persico
Bishop Lawrence T. Persico
Bishop Stephen J. Berg D.D.

Since our founding almost two decades ago, nearly 150 Catholic Bishops in the United States have written letters of endorsement for our mission to serve the poorest of the poor, and five more have recently joined their brother bishops to encourage us in our continuing mission.

The newly installed Archbishop of Philadelphia, Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez, wrote, “I am very aware of the impact and blessings of missionary activity in the lives of the poorest of the poor in our Church, and the solidarity with the poor that comes to a diocese that participates in the essential missionary nature of the Church.”

Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of the Diocese of Erie became the latest Pennsylvania bishop to write a letter of encouragement to us. He wrote, “By providing the Corporal Works of Mercy in the form of feeding families, educating children, building homes for the homeless and helping the poorest of the poor in efforts to support themselves through microenterprise projects, you are heeding the call of our Holy Father Pope Francis to remember the poor.”

“What encourages me about your ministry is that you are focused on spiritual development as well as providing material help by working with Catholic missionaries and their local bishops in the developing world to provide integral human development,” wrote Bishop Mark E. Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in his letter.

In a letter written on Ash Wednesday of this year, Bishop Stephen J. Berg D.D. of the Diocese of Pueblo wrote that our work in “providing the Corporal Works of Mercy in more than two dozen countries in the developing world is a witness to our Lord’s call to serve the poor. I’m pleased to endorse Cross Catholic Outreach and its mission to help those suffering the bondage of poverty attain the basic necessities of life.”

Most Reverend Robert J. McManus of Worcester endorsed us, saying, “You are providing the necessities needed by our brothers and sisters in Christ, who, through no fault of their own, have been born into circumstances that include suffering the bondage of poverty… May Pope Francis continue to inspire you and Catholics everywhere to continue to show love and mercy and a helping hand to people who suffer.”

Learn more about endorsements.