Since our founding in 1918, Columban missionaries have had a special commitment to marginalized communities. In the 17 countries were Columban serve, they are accompanying exploited workers, safeguarding the natural world, defending migrant rights, and calling for peace and the demilitarization of communities. Reflecting on these rich, intercultural experiences, the Missionary Society of St. Columban has identified five priority advocacy areas.
- Economic Justice
- Environmental Justice
- Interfaith Dialogue
- Migration
- Peace & Demilitarization
The Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach (CCAO) was founded in 1985 as the national advocacy office for the Missionary Society of St. Columban in the United States. Then we were known as the Columban Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Office. We changed our name in April 2009 to allow for an expansion of the program to include calling others to join the Columbans in mission.
We serve as the line of communication between Columban missionaries on the ground and policy makers in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to work towards a more just, peaceful, and environmentally sustainable world by engaging in the political process guided by our faith and the Gospel. We work for structural change for the poor and marginalized populations Columbans serve around the world. We advocate for policies and structures that bring society and the world into right relationships with all of God’s Creation. We use Catholic Social Teaching as our lens to engage in legislative advocacy and community engagement.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.