Economic Justice / Ending Poverty

​"Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor."
-Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 2013, Ch.4, #187

NAC calls and acts to free those who are oppressed by poverty and economic inequities.
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Bolstering their commitment "to those oppressed by abject poverty" the Sisters of the Good Shepherd have pledged "to respond to the anguish of the world calling [them] to the margins,...support projects for economic justice, confront unjust systems, and take a 'corporate stance' when appropriate."  (excerpt from the 29th Congregational Chapter, July 2009)

Read or print the Congregation's 2018 Position Paper on Economic Justice. (To read or print the complete series of Position Papers, click here).  

​For more background on the Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd 2018 Position Papers and to access them in Spanish, French or English, visit the Congregation's site.
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At a SNAP rally with Rev. Barber and Sr. Simone Campbell in front of Capitol. It's immoral to pass tax cuts for rich people and then deny food for people living in poverty.

Economic Justice 

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd are called to work for the elimination of poverty, the restoration of justice, for reconciliation among all humanity, for cancellation of all debts, in particular the unjust national debts imposed by wealthy nations on nations unable to bear debt burdens.
 
The Congregation seeks a pathway to justice for the millions reduced to inextricable poverty. The disparity between the accumulation of extreme wealth and the inescapability of extreme poverty threatens the dignity of human beings and tends to be repeated in disastrous cycles. 

NAC works with both religious and secular organizations to lobby:
  • for programs that serve people living in poverty;
  • to make permanent the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit;
  • to increase the minimum wage;
  • to assure sick leave and overtime pay;
  • to assure pay equity for women
  • to increase taxes to support needed social services, end the sequestration which unfairly impacts poor people, and many other legislative initiatives that help the working poor and those unable to help themselves.  
 
The National Advocacy Center also participated in a rally for wage increase for low-wage federal contract workers. In 2015, the National Advocacy Center became a member of Jubilee International so that NAC could join with others to reduce the extreme poverty of many people who live overseas.  Each year the Center joins with the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering to enhance funding to people living in poverty overseas.

Joint Efforts for Those on the Margin

"We know our nation’s progress depends on ensuring that every American has equal rights and opportunities, protected and advanced by a strong and just federal government.." ~ Drawn from the SAVE for All (Strengthening American's Values and Economy for All) 2019 Statement of Principles

Read the full document here. NAC is a part of the SAVE for All Campaign that brings together national, state and local advocacy groups, service providers, faith-based organizations, policy experts, and labor and civil rights organizations from every state representing millions of people.
NAC also works closely with the Domestic Human Need's (DHN) Interreligious Working Group on poverty issues. The group takes on the complexity of the problems before us, unpacks them, and works to give Congress concrete suggestions for a way forward. Get a sense of the work in this Pivot Planning document. 

Poor People's Campaign

NAC marched in the Poor People's Campaign 2022 for low-wage workers and for economic policies that can heal and transform our nation.

White House to Hold Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health

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The White House has announced a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health for September 2022. It will be the first such conference in 50 years.

Last summer,NAC joined with other faith-based organizations calling on President Biden to bring together policymakers, advocates and those with lived experiences for a White House Summit to end hunger in America. We will continue to monitor developments and activities.

Read full letter here.

​Increase the Minimum Wage 

“In this nation of riches, hard work is rewarded – but not for all. Millions of workers in the United States are underpaid for their labors and the crushing effects ripple across our country – mothers and fathers who die far too young; children who go to school hungry and whose futures are bleak."
                                                         Lawrence Couch,
                                                                 National Advocacy Center
                                                of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
As members of Congress reflect on the implications of instituting a $15/hour minimum wage, NAC Director Larry Couch and other faith leaders raise moral arguments for the increase. 

​Read quotes issued by the Domestic Human Needs' Interreligious Work Group here.

In Pursuit of ​ the Common Good

NAC partners with a number of organizations in its work for economic justice. Click on the links below to learn about the organizations and some of our focus areas:


Working together to shape policy, we can do more to help level the economic playing field.