Over 100 Catholic Bishops Endorse Cross Catholic Outreach

At the heart of the Gospel is the command to care for others. Jesus proclaimed, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). As part of our Christian duty to love our neighbor, we are called to help those who suffer the bondage of poverty and who do not have access to basic human essentials such as food, clean water, housing and education.

At Cross Catholic Outreach, we collaborate with Catholic bishops around the world in identifying and supporting Catholic missionaries on the front lines of serving the poor. Since our founding 20 years ago, over 100 Catholic bishops in the United States have endorsed our work. In just the past few months, we’re pleased to have gained the support of:

• Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York
• Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis
• Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, O.F.M., Conv., of Atlanta
• Bishop Steven J. Raica of Birmingham
• Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Cleveland.

In his letter of support, Cardinal Dolan wrote, “The work of Cross Catholic Outreach, which provides material poverty alleviation in the developing world, is an inspiration and an example of Catholic social teaching actualized.… Your Box of Joy® ministry is especially heartening, as it provides Christmas gifts to children suffering the bondage of poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

“As we approach the fourth annual World Day of the Poor, I am reminded of the work of Cross Catholic Outreach and your mission to hear the cry of the poor,” wrote Archbishop Rozanski of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. “When the Holy Father Pope Francis instituted the World Day of the Poor three years ago, he quoted Psalm 34:6, ‘The poor man cried, and the Lord heard him.’ In accord with Catholic social teaching, Cross Catholic answers the call of serving the poor through collaboration with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development…. I am pleased to endorse this work of serving the poor who find themselves on the margins of society.”

Archbishop Hartmayer wrote, “The ministry of Cross Catholic Outreach in keeping the plight of the poor in front of the Christian community and supporting Catholic missionaries serving on the front lines is an admirable example of stretching out your hand to the poor in accord with Catholic social teaching.”

Bishop Raica commented, “Your ministry exemplifies the charitable work of the Church, which is so important as we are experiencing a global pandemic. Ministries such as yours offer an opportunity for the laity to engage in works of mercy, responding to the Holy Father’s call to be missionaries and advocates for the poor.”

Writing just months after being appointed the 12th Bishop of Cleveland, Bishop Malesic wrote, “I am pleased to endorse the work of Cross Catholic Outreach for hearing the cry of the poor, and I encourage you to continue efforts to work through Catholic missionaries on the forefront of fighting to alleviate poverty. Be assured of my prayers for you and those who assist you in your work, as well as those on the margins of society.”