Statement by Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, President of Catholic Charities USA on the Death of Msgr. George G. Higgins

Catholic Charities USA
Friday, 3 May 2002

The death of Msgr. George G. Higgins marks the passing of an historic era of Catholic social ministry in the United States. For almost 60 years in his role at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and as a commentator, analyst and advocate of social justice, Msgr. Higgins shaped the public presence of Catholicism in the United States on issues of social and economic justice, the rights of working people, civil rights and the public role of the Church in a democracy.

Catholic Charities USA, along with all institutions of the Church which seek daily to carry out the social imperative of the gospel, is deeply indebted to Msgr. Higgins for his intellectual leadership, his moral courage and his priestly example in his role of service to the Catholic Bishops, to the labor movement in this country and to American society. May he rest in peace.

Catholic Charities USA's members--1,640 local agencies and institutions nationwide--provide help and create hope for more than nine million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For more than 275 years, local Catholic Charities agencies have been providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Charities USA, see their website at: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org