Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) is a body that seeks to advance the social service ministry of the
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
and consists of member welfare organisations. It was established as a commission of the
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ACBC) is the national episcopal conference of the Catholic bishops of Australia and is the instrumentality used by the Australian Catholic bishops to act nationally and address issues of national s ...
until it underwent consolidation in 2020.
The incumbent Executive Director, appointed in July 2021, is Monique Earsman.
It succeeds earlier bodies such as the Catholic Welfare Bureau.
Catholic Social Services Australia has 54 member organisations in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia. Members include diocesan based
Centacare
The Catholic Church in Australia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Holy See. From origins as a suppressed, mainly Irish minority in early colonial times, the church has grown ...
and
CatholicCare
The Catholic Church in Australia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Holy See. From origins as a suppressed, mainly Irish minority in early colonial times, the church has grown ...
agencies and those under the stewardship of religious orders.
CSSA defines it objects as: "Catholic Social Services carries out its Mission by interacting with Catholic organisations, governments, other churches and all people of goodwill, to develop social services policies, programs and other strategic responses that enhance the human dignity of every person and work towards the economic, social and spiritual well-being of the Australian community."
The body seeks to influence Australian governments and the community on welfare issues and is a co-sponsor of the Dropping Off the Edge Report (DOTE) mapping disadvantage in Australia.
See also
*
Catholic education in Australia
Catholic education in Australia refers to the education services provided by the Roman Catholic Church in Australia within the Australian education system. From 18th century foundations, the Catholic education system has grown to be the ...
*
Catholic Health Australia Catholic Health Australia represents 75 hospitals and 550 residential and community aged care services and comprises Australia's largest non-government not-for-profit grouping of health and aged care services. Catholic Health Australia was establish ...
*
Christianity in Australia
Christianity is the largest religion in Australia, with a total of 43.9% of the nation-wide population identifying with a Christian denomination. The presence of Christianity in Australia coincided with the foundation of the first British colon ...
References
External links
*{{official website, https://cssa.org.au/
Catholic Church in Australia
Welfare agencies