Archdiocese Direct Ministry

Ethnic Ministries - Celebrates the rich diversity of cultures, languages and races through programs and gatherings geared toward intercultural education, dialogue, communication and understanding. Ethnic Ministry provides support for 22 different ethnic communities including African-American, Chinese, Filipino, Hispanic and others. It also sponsors multicultural celebrations, collaborate with other Archdiocesan offices in developing the multicultural component of programs and works to integrate the different communities into the church of the Archdiocese.

Public Policy and Social Concerns - Embodies the teachings found within the parable of the Good Samaritan by seeing injustice as a personal call to action, and making a commitment to relieving the needs of the suffering person. This Office provides education and advocacy on behalf of the unborn, the poor, the elderly, the imprisoned, the homeless, the disabled, and the marginalized in our society. It conducts programs – Justice & Peace and Catholic Campaign for Human Development (4,500 served with 72,000 receiving education advocacy outreach); Respect Life (9,700 directly contacted with 70,000 receiving education advocacy outreach); Parish Organizing & Leadership Development in the 96 Parishes of the Archdiocese; and Detention Ministry (21,000 served), and it provides representation to government officials, civic leaders, labor and community (3,200 direct contacts annually).

Metropolitan Tribunal and Canonical Affairs - Serves as a resource to the Archbishop of San Francisco and the Catholic community as they strive to maintain and uphold the universal and particular law of the Church. The Tribunal also assists individuals seeking to reconcile with the Church by evaluating the status of individual marriages, as the Church understands that bond. It seeks to protect the rights of the faithful, including the right to a good reputation, while mindful of the obligations inherent with being a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Young Adult and Campus Ministry - Envisions, creates and advocates for married and single Catholics in their late teens, 20s and 30s to become full and active members in the Church communities on college campuses and in parishes. The Office provides the annual Theology on Tap speaker series, training sessions for young adult leaders, parish ministers and staff, and a pilgrimage to World Youth Day, the international gathering of Young Adults with the Holy Father. Visit them on the web at www.sfyam.org.

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs - The Office of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs represents the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of San Francisco in our relationships with approximately 70 other Christian and non-Christian spiritual communities – within the Christian church – Episcopal, Evangelicals and others; and outside Christianity (inter-religious) – Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, and others. The influence and work of the Office go beyond the boundaries of the Archdiocese – regional in California, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii; national in Washington D.C.; and international in Rome.

Marriage and Family Life - Supports the Catholic Family through marriage preparation training and instruction in Natural Family Planning (NFP). Marriage and Family Life also oversees the FOCUS program - a marriage compatibility inventory administered as part of the marriage preparation process.