CMSM Items of Note: Justice & Peace Edition

October 23, 2025

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

October calls the Church to renew its witness for peace, justice, and care for creation. The Gospel’s promise to peacemakers reminds us that reconciliation is not passive; it is active love that heals division and restores creation. Guided by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, may we embody that peace in our choices, communities, and advocacy.

From the Vatican

Dilexi Te — Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV’s new apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”), invites Catholics to consider Christ's love of the poor and the way the Church has responded to the poor over the centuries. He writes that mercy must not remain an emotion but become the architecture of social life. The document links ecological renewal with compassion for the poor, calling for personal and structural conversion that makes love visible in action.

Read Dilexi Te here.

Find USCCB and Vatican resources to engage with Dilexi Te here.

Member Feature

Jesuit Border Podcast — Crossover Episode with Bishop Michael Pham

The Jesuit Border Podcast features Bishop Michael Pham of the Diocese of San Diego sharing his story as a former refugee from Vietnam and reflecting on the Church’s call to accompany migrants today. He recounts fleeing his homeland as a child and recently attending immigration court to stand in solidarity with families facing detention and separation. His witness exposes the human cost of policies that criminalize migration and challenges the nation to rediscover its vocation as a place of refuge and mercy. The episode embodies the heart of JPIC ministry: encounter that transforms both those welcomed and those who welcome.

Policy Notes

USCCB Amicus Brief on "Protected Areas" in Immigration Enforcement

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has filed an amicus brief supporting a Mennonite community’s lawsuit challenging the federal government’s decision to rescind protected areas of immigration enforcement. The bishops argue that churches and faith-based ministries must be free to serve immigrants and refugees without fear of interference or intimidation. Their support reflects the Church’s consistent defense of human dignity and religious freedom, emphasizing that compassion for the stranger is not merely a civic value but a Gospel mandate.

Read more here.

USCCB Response to Federal Expansion of IVF and Fertility Services

In an October statement, several chairs of USCCB Committees responded to the Trump Administration’s plan to expand access to IVF and fertility treatments. They expressed compassion for couples facing infertility while reaffirming the Church’s teaching on the dignity of every human life from conception. The bishops urged that compassion and moral truth remain united in any medical or legislative approach to fertility care.

Read more here.

News

Environmental Justice and the Common Good

The US bishops’ environmental-justice program continues to emphasize that ecological challenges are moral concerns. Parishes and dioceses are encouraged to engage in education, advocacy, and sustainable practices that honor both creation and the poor. The call is clear: the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor must be answered together.

Read more here.

Catholic Climate Covenant — Raising Hope for Climate Justice

Over four hundred participants joined the Catholic Climate Covenant’s conference marking the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’. The event produced more than two hundred commitments by Catholic institutions and communities to advance creation care and climate advocacy. Speakers emphasized that ecological conversion must unite prayer, policy, and concrete lifestyle change.

Read more here.

Events

Webinar: Lifting the Catholic Voice on Climate Justice at COP30

Hosted by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns on 20 October 2025, this webinar explores how Catholic moral insight can inform climate negotiations. Experts will discuss just energy transitions, ethical policy frameworks, and faith-based advocacy for those most affected by ecological breakdown.

Read more here.

Jesuit Heritage Week (USA)

From 26 to 30 October, Jesuit institutions across the country will celebrate “Faith That Does Justice.” Activities include student-led projects, dialogues on ethical leadership, and prayer services that connect learning with solidarity. The celebration reminds the Church that education for faith must always lead to action for justice.

Read more here.

Contact CMSM JPIC

Dr. David Rohrer Budiash, Director of Programs & Managing Editor, Review for Religious

Visit us online: cmsm.org/justiceandpeace