4. Analysis and Advocacy

From the consultation we heard the need for networking between parish, diocesan and community groups to address public policies and practices. Critical analysis and advocacy provide the tools to identify the systemic changes needed to alleviate the root causes of poverty, crime, fear, dislocation, and decline in parts of our urban centers.

Without meaningful work and job opportunities for people with varying skill levels, cities will be unable to sustain housing development and social improvement. In our time we are challenged by a complex array of powerful forces: the demographics of poverty; the evolving global economy and its interrelationship with local economies; the moral dilemmas inherent in common economic and consumerist practices; the pervasiveness of violence, drug abuse and fear; and government policy and spending patterns.

These forces make the solution for declining cities and the plight of the most needy and vulnerable a task too great for the Catholic Church alone to solve. However, the Church has a critical role in assuring that the whole community and all its economic, social, and political subdivisions are involved in addressing solutions that are morally sound and of lasting value to society.

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Continue to encourage establishment of Social Concerns Commissions in all parishes.

Create united efforts on strategic issues by building linkages between parishes, the Diocesan Social Action Office and its Commissions and other agencies.

Address timely issues by convening forums on an ongoing basis to respond to government legislation and spending as well as business policies and practices which impact upon poverty, housing, redevelopment, schools, violence and safety, community stability, job creation, health care and economic opportunities for people of varied skill levels.

• advocate for efforts to address broader regional implications of plans/policies
• convene community leaders in Cleveland, Akron, and Lorain/Elyria representing cities, county government, community groups, agencies, business, regional and metropolitan policy makers
• support parishes and diocesan institutions in convening local forums.

Establish a diocesan committee on regional land use policies with the technical expertise to propose and to advocate for policies that are economically, socially, environmentally and morally responsible.

Be proactive in identifying the moral dimension of public plans and policies in forums with member of public and private boards

Strengthen the role of the Diocesan Social Action Office and its Commissions as a catalyst for leadership, analysis, advocacy and technical support; and explore new ways to reorganize and use staff and resources in addressing systemic change and infusing this work in other diocesan offices.

Support the effective delivery of health care to families and individuals through linkages between Catholic Charities Services, hospitals, parishes and community institutions.

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For questions or comments, please send messages to: citc@igc.apc.org URL = http://www.citc.org/citc/

1996 The Diocese of Cleveland, Cleveland Ohio (216) 696-6525 ext. 350