Social Concerns

Office of Social Ministry

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

Donald R. Emge Ph.D., Director

What is Social Ministry?

In the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel Jesus challenged his followers to feed the hungry, visit the sick, and clothe the naked. In traditional Catholic theology these actions were called the corporal works of mercy. Jesus went so far as to say that such acts of charity were a barometer of how faithful we are as disciples of Christ.

Over the past century the Catholic Church has developed a body of teaching that has become known as Catholic Social Teaching. CST is based on the teaching of Christ, and it explores how Gospel values speak to the concrete circumstance of our present day. In general Catholic Social Teaching asks how we can develop a society that is permeated at all levels by Gospel values.

Charity and Justice

Charity sees a person in need and reaches out with immediate assistance. Justice sees a person in need and asks what we can do to eliminate such poverty. How can we create a society that will distribute its resources in a more equitable and just manner?

Charity and justice are the two pillars of our Christian response to the needs of our day. The ministry of the Office of Social Ministry is to coordinate, facilitate, and promote acts of charity and justice throughout the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

To contact Don Emge, e-mail him at demge@diocspfdcape.org.

Workshop topics include

· Direct Service

· Legislative Advocacy

· Global Solidarity

· Community Organizing

· Integration of Social Ministry in the Parish.

For more information contact Don Emge in the Office of Social Ministry.


Social Concerns Office of Social Ministry Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Donald R. Emge Ph.D., Director What is Social Ministry? In the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel Jesus challenged his followers to feed the hungry, visit the sick, and clothe the naked. In traditional Catholic theology these actions were called the corporal works of mercy. Jesus went so far as to say that such acts of charity were a barometer of how faithful we are as disciples of Christ. Over the past century the Catholic Church has developed a body of teaching that has become known as Catholic Social Teaching. CST is based on the teaching of Christ, and it explores how Gospel values speak to the concrete circumstance of our present day. In general Catholic Social Teaching asks how we can develop a society that is permeated at all levels by Gospel values. Charity and Justice Charity sees a person in need and reaches out with immediate assistance. Justice sees a person in need and asks what we can do to eliminate such poverty. How can we create a society that will distribute its resources in a more equitable and just manner? Charity and justice are the two pillars of our Christian response to the needs of our day. The ministry of the Office of Social Ministry is to coordinate, facilitate, and promote acts of charity and justice throughout the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. To contact Don Emge, e-mail him at demge@diocspfdcape.org. Workshop topics include · Direct Service · Legislative Advocacy · Global Solidarity · Community Organizing · Integration of Social Ministry in the Parish. For more information contact Don Emge in the Office of Social Ministry.