The Work of the Catholic Church

This section explains the Work of the Catholic Church. Topics include: Organisations Involved in the Work of the Church and Missionary Work and Evangelism.

Love of Neighbour

Many Christians actively work to improve their communities, seeing it as an essential part of living out their Christian faith. They believe that faith should be reflected in their actions, particularly when it comes to helping others.

The Bible teaches that loving your neighbour is a central part of Christian life. In the First Epistle of John, Christians are reminded of their responsibility to help those in need:

"If anyone has material possessions and ignores his brother in need, how can he love God?" (1 John 3:17)

Jesus spent a significant amount of time helping those who were most vulnerable—such as the sick, the poor, and the marginalised. Christians are called to reflect Jesus' compassion and generosity by following his example in their actions.

One of Jesus' key teachings, found in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasises the importance of loving one’s neighbour, irrespective of their background. In this parable, Jesus demonstrates that true love for others involves selflessness and care for everyone, regardless of their differences.

As a result, Catholic teachings focus heavily on the idea of helping others, as Jesus exemplified in his life. Pope Francis, in his 2013 apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, states that Catholics should actively strive to help the poor and marginalised become fully integrated members of society.

Organisations Involved in the Work of the Church

There are many organisations that carry out the charitable and social justice work of the Catholic Church. These organisations embody Catholic teachings by striving to help those in need across the globe:

CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development)

CAFOD works to combat poverty and injustice worldwide, particularly in regions affected by natural disasters. While providing immediate aid, CAFOD’s aim is to equip people with the necessary skills and resources to improve their lives long-term, fostering self-reliance and dignity.

St Vincent de Paul Society

The St Vincent de Paul Society focuses on helping vulnerable groups in society, such as the homeless, the sick, the lonely, and the hungry. Its members provide support through counselling, outreach services, and feeding schemes. The organisation also offers job training for people struggling to find work and supports those who have been recently released from prison. Additionally, the Society works with refugees, people with disabilities, and individuals facing mental health challenges.

Trócaire

Trócaire is an Irish Catholic organisation dedicated to providing emergency aid in times of crisis. However, its broader mission is to end global poverty by addressing the root causes of inequality and injustice, ensuring sustainable development for the world’s poorest communities.

Missio

Missio is a UK-based Catholic charity that supports struggling Catholic churches in developing countries. The organisation works to provide essential education, training, and healthcare services to impoverished areas. Missio’s goal is to empower local communities and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.

Mission and Evangelism

Missionary Work

A missionary is someone who spreads the message of Christianity abroad, but missionary work goes beyond preaching. Missionaries often demonstrate their faith through practical actions, such as helping with charity projects, building infrastructure, providing healthcare, and offering educational support. This type of work has been instrumental in the spread of Christianity across the globe.

Jesus instructed his followers to spread the Christian message to all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

Missionaries aim to influence others by demonstrating God's love through their actions, hoping to inspire others to adopt Christian values and beliefs.

The Corrymeela Community

Founded in Northern Ireland, the Corrymeela Community works to heal political and religious divisions, particularly in the context of Northern Ireland’s history of conflict. The community focuses on reconciliation, peacebuilding, and promoting understanding between different groups. It also extends its work to other parts of the world, helping to resolve conflicts and foster unity in divided communities.

Pax Christi

Pax Christi is an international Catholic organisation that advocates for human rights, peace, and justice. It works to prevent conflict and violence, emphasising the importance of peace and non-violence in accordance with Catholic teachings. Pax Christi’s mission is to promote dignity and peace for all, standing firm against violence and oppression.

Evangelism

Evangelism is the act of spreading the Christian message, often with the goal of converting others to Christianity. While some evangelistic efforts involve direct preaching, many evangelists believe that living according to Christ’s teachings and demonstrating God’s love through actions can be just as powerful a form of evangelism.

For example, Gideons International, a Christian association, spreads the gospel by distributing free copies of the Bible in places like hotels, hospitals, and schools around the world. Evangelism, therefore, can take various forms, from public preaching to private acts of kindness and charity.

While evangelism and missionary work can look different depending on the approach, both require a total commitment to God. Evangelists believe they are helping others discover their true purpose in life by introducing them to the love and teachings of Christ.

Some Christians see evangelism as essential, believing that they are helping others achieve salvation by sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Others focus on showing God's love through selfless acts of service, with the hope that such actions will lead others to God.

Conclusion

The work of the Church — whether through charitable acts, mission trips, or evangelism — is driven by the core Christian value of love for one’s neighbour. By following the example set by Jesus Christ, Catholics believe they are called to love, serve, and uplift others, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through their efforts, the Church aims to make the world a better place, reflect God’s love, and bring others closer to Christ.