Addiction crisis
The Task Force is the outgrowth of a commitment the Southern Ohio Synod of the ELCA and the Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati made in 2017, the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, to continue to work toward greater Christian unity through prayer and action. It emerged from the ongoing work and prayers of a collaborative group of laity and clergy from both our traditions.
Our mission is to to encourage and equip Catholic and Lutheran congregations to provide effective, empathetic, and situationally-appropriate support and to create a welcoming environment for individuals and families affected by addiction.
Our goals are to:
1. Facilitate deeper congregational awareness and reduce stigmatization of addiction;
2. Encourage congregational engagement in community outreach efforts, and
3. Connect congregations with existing community addiction resources.
Growth since February 2019 event:
- On Our Way Home Inc., a nonprofit public charity was organized by February participants to collaborate with county mental health boards and with clinical mental health providers to increase safe and affordable housing for persons in recovery. www.onourwayhome.org
- Montgomery County ADAMHS provides Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid training and CPR, training to talk with someone who may be contemplating suicide.
Bishop Dillahunt and Bishop Binzer share some of the background of the Catholic Lutheran Addiction Task Force, about the Addiction Crisis event in 2019, and the need for collaboration and action among our faith communities.
Addiction crisis resources
Action Center
Catholic Social Teaching calls us to not only understand and deepen our faith but also to live our faith. Whether through advocacy, education, faith sharing, or public action, we all must practice our faith in our every word and deed. As James 2:17 says, “Faith without works is dead.” Please check back often to our Action Center for various ways that you and your community can speak out with compassion and solidarity for justice and peace.
