Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) Information

Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) is the peak body for Catholic social services in the state. Together with our 45 members and the Catholic Church in Victoria we work to fulfil the gospel imperative to stand with, and serve those who are poor, disadvantaged, marginalised and vulnerable, and to build communities of grace and services across Victoria. Building a society that is just, equitable and compassionate is at the heart of what we do! CSSV and its member agencies form part of the mission of the Church. CSSV draws on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and the preferential option (or love) for the poor that informs CST; and, it works in relationship with the broader social sector distinct from private enterprise and government provision of services. The four permanent social principles enshrined in Catholic Social Teaching are summarised as a commitment to: the dignity of each person, subsidiarity, solidarity, and the common good. CSSV exists to increase the mission-impact of the ministry of the Church over time while maintaining the Catholic identity of member-agencies through facilitating their understanding and application of the rich corpus of CST in their work. The key offering areas of CSSV are: * policy and advocacy (e.g. reports, submissions, seminars, conferences, workshops and other presentations, and working group meetings); * network development and member support (e.g. education delivery, Annual Mass, networking opportunities); * Catholic ethos and identity (e.g. dinners, breakfast briefings, Annual Mass and facilitating broader Church engagement through CSSV Council and Committee meetings, engaging with Bishops, and providing related reports and meetings). CSSV also undertakes ecumenical, multi-faith and community engagement activity that advances CST and the mission of the Church.