title: What is Catholic about Catholic Charities?
abstract: Sectarian social services agencies play an important and increasing role in contemporary social welfare. Among sectarian social welfare organizations, Catholic Charities USA has emerged as the largest private provider of social welfare services. This article reviews the history, services, and practice controversies of Catholic Charities USA and examines issues regarding the ability of sectarian social services organizations to provide nonbiased and fair services. Through an analysis of this organization, the authors raise and discuss questions of accountability and philosophical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling, Special Education, and Rehabilitation, Kremen School of Education and Human Development, California State University, Fresno 93740-8025, USA. cdegeneffe@csufresno.edu
authors.forename: Charles Edmund
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Degeneffe
mesh_terms: D002410:Catholicism; D002608:Charities / Q000941:ethics*; D004989:Ethics; D006801:Humans; D010684:Philosophy; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000941:ethics*; D012947:Social Work / Q000941:ethics; D014481:United States