New USCCB social development director aims to fight poverty

Last updated on: June 18, 2014 at 1:53 am by CNA Daily News

New USCCB social development director aims to fight poverty 2014-06-18T01:53:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Colorado Springs, Colo., Jun 17, 2014 / 07:53 pm (CNA).- The U.S. bishops have named Mark Rohlena, head of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, to direct the Office of Domestic Social Development for the U.S. bishops’ conference.

“Mark Rohlena has a proven track record as a leader and manager in putting the Church’s social teaching into action,” Monsignor Ronny Jenkins, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said June 17. “Mark has a heart for the poor and vulnerable and a critical understanding of the way public policy impacts the Church’s ground-level, charitable work.”

Rohlena welcomed the “wonderful opportunity” to be part of the Catholic Church’s legacy of service to those in need. He said he will join those who advocate that federal policymakers “recognize that each and every one of our neighbors is filled with dignity – worthy to be encountered, loved and cared-for.”

“It is a unique way to witness to the love of Christ, which, as Pope Francis reminds us, lies at the heart of our charitable work,” he added.

“The Church has been and must continue to be among the strongest voices in the public square on behalf of the poor, the sick, the weak and the suffering.”

As part of his new position, Rohlena will place a special emphasis on national poverty reduction efforts, the U.S. bishops’ conference says.

He is currently the president and CEO of the Colorado Springs-based Catholic Charities of Central Colorado. The agency works in 10 Colorado counties in poverty reduction, parish social ministry, family immigration services, adoption services, and disaster relief. It has played a leading role in helping those affected by devastating forest fires.

The Catholic Charities agency has a budget of $3 million and 50 employees. About 1,600 volunteers per month assist in its work.

Rohlena began programs to help young adults address homelessness. He has served on the boards of the Catholic Housing Corporation and Partners in Housing of Colorado Springs. He was a founding board member of Denver’s Lighthouse Women’s Care Center.

He previously served as the senior ethics and conflict attorney for the Denver-based Holland and Hart, LLP. He has a law degree from Ave Maria School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Christendom College.

Msgr. Jenkins said that Rohlena is “well-formed in the faith, and especially Catholic social teaching, which has inspired his strong commitment to service.”

Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, praised Rohlena’s “extraordinary advocacy” on behalf of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado and its clients.

“Mark took his love for the poor, the weak and suffering to the public square and often spoke on behalf of those who could not speak for themselves,” Kraska said June 16. “The bishops’ conference and the Church are fortunate to have Mark work on their behalf. Mark has touched the lives of many people in Colorado and he will be missed.”

Rohlena will start his new position in August. The previous director of the Office of Domestic Social Development, Kathy Saile, left her position to become associate director for government affairs at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C.

Previous Post

June 17, 2014

EWTN to appeal after 'troubling' HHS mandate ruling

Next Post

June 18, 2014 Supreme Court okays pro-life challenge to Ohio election speech law

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many children did Job lose in the disasters at the beginning of the book?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ten Five Seven Twelve