In a recent Detroit News letter to the editor, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan CEO Paul Propson responded to a column questioning the Church’s role in addressing inequality. His reflection offers a heartfelt reminder that our mission is rooted in faith, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serve those most in need — a mission that continues daily across metro Detroit.

Read Paul's response here or below: 

In his recent Opinion piece, Bankole Thompson highlighted the opportunity the Catholic Church in Detroit has, under its new Archbishop Edward Weisenburger, to “change the trajectory of so many Detroiters lives for the better.” As head of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Detroit, I would like to give a report on our local Church’s progress in the important work of housing and services to the homeless over the past few years.

In a few days, we will open The Residences at St. Matthew, a 46-unit apartment building which will be home to more than 60 people on the east side at Harper and Whittier. With the help of Mayor Duggan’s team, Councilwoman Latisha Johnson, our co-developer Cinnaire Solutions and many others, these new apartments will be home to many people of limited income, including 25 individuals identified by the Homeless Action Network of Detroit as those in greatest need of permanent supportive housing.

In recent years, the Archdiocese of Detroit, under Archbishop Emeritus Allen Vigneron’s leadership, has developed several other properties into affordable housing. These include Transfiguration Place (19 apartments) and Cathedral Arts Apartments (53 apartments) as well as ongoing development at St Mary’s of Redford in Detroit (61 apartments). We look forward to continuing the important work of creating affordable housing and permanent supportive housing developments under the leadership of our new chief shepherd, Archbishop Weisenburger.

In addition to housing, our Catholic Charities team provides a wide variety of direct assistance to those in need at our Detroit Center for the Works of Mercy on Woodward across from Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. This facility provides many homeless individuals with a mailbox and permanent address, as well as case management assistance, food, clothing, coats and boots and medical and dental care from the Malta Dental and Medical Clinic.

Innumerable lives are also touched by the many other Catholic ministries in and around Detroit, including St Vincent DePaul, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, the Cabrini Clinic, the Pope Francis Center, St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen, Deo Gratias Ministries, and many, many others—including numerous Catholic schools working to reach thousands of children in Detroit, primarily those from low-income families, through providing an education that leads to hope and a future.

Mr. Thompson wrote about the tragic deaths of A'millah Currie and Darnell Currie Jr, noting that their mother recently received assistance from the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM). It was disheartening to see the compassionate assistance provided by DRMM presented in contrast to the local Church, as if Catholic ministries don’t provide assistance to thousands of people every day. Certainly, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and all the other non-profits in Detroit should be supported and commended because, thanks be to God, they touch and transform thousands of lives. At the same time, their work is not done in a vacuum, but alongside the many Catholic ministries, including those mentioned above. The needs of Detroit’s children and families living in poverty are so great, we all do well when we partner with, complement, and support each other’s efforts.

Our Catholic community has been hard at work since the founding of the city serving the most vulnerable in our communities. Archbishop Emeritus Vigneron and Archbishop Weisenburger have dedicated their lives to serving Christ as He encounters us in our most vulnerable neighbors, and countless members of the Catholic faithful have followed their example through their involvement with and support of these ministries. You can be assured that with the help of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan and the many Catholic charitable organizations in Detroit, the resources of the Catholic Church have been and will continue to be used to change the trajectory of many Detroiters lives for the better.

To support our work at Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, please visit ccsem.org/donate and to learn about leasing an apartment at The Residences at St. Matthew, visit ccsem.org/residences.