For Immediate Release: June 4, 2022
Contact: Colleen Ross, [email protected], 202-601-7877

NETWORK Honored to Receive 2022 College Theology Society Presidential Award

Joan F. Neal: “Political ministry requires many and varied partners as well as participants in the mission.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This evening, at the conclusion of the College Theology Society’s sixty-eighth annual convention, President of the College Theology Society, Brian Flanagan, presented the Presidential Award to NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. Previous award winners include Philip J. Rossi SJ, Donna Orsuto, and Peter and Margaret Steinfels. This year’s convention was titled “Why We Can’t Wait”: Racism and the Church.”

Presenting the award, Brian Flanagan recognized NETWORK’s “work over the past 50 years in advocating Catholic social justice through political ministry.” Executive Director Mary J. Novak and Deputy Executive Director and Chief Equity Officer Joan F. Neal accepted the award on behalf of NETWORK.

Receiving the award, Joan F. Neal remarked, “Thank you Brian and all of the members of the College Theology Society for this honor. Political ministry requires many and varied partners as well as participants in the mission.” Joan continued, “Because many of you teach young adults, you have an important opportunity now to shape a new generation, to form their minds and their understanding in such a way that the sin of racism might someday cease to exist.”

The College Theology Society is a professional society of theologians founded in 1954 to bring women and men, lay and religious, together to provide college students the very best in theological education. This award is bestowed to NETWORK as the organization celebrates its 50th year shaping federal policies on Capitol Hill. NETWORK’s work for justice is reflective, collaborative, rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Justice, dedicated to grassroots education and organizing, and prioritizes those pushed to the margins by dominant systems and structures.

Learn more about NETWORK’s 50- year justice journey with an interactive timeline.

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org