

Our mission is to assist the Catholic Church in Victoria to fulfil the gospel imperatives to:
Stand in solidarity with and serve the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised; and work for a just, equitable and compassionate society.
Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) is the peak body for Catholic social services across the state. Underpinned by Catholic social teaching, CSSV works with its 40+ member organisations to assist the bishops and broader Catholic community across Victoria, to fulfil the gospel imperatives to stand with and serve the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised.


“If someone helps an elderly person cross a river, that is a fine act of charity. The politician, on the other hand, builds a bridge, and that too is an act of charity. While one person can help another by providing something to eat, the politician creates a job for that other person, and thus practices a lofty form of charity that ennobles his or her political activity.”
Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, #186
Latest Updates

Parishes taking action on domestic and family violence
Awareness about the terrible experiences and impacts of domestic and family violence is growing, and Catholic parishes in Melbourne are taking up the challenge of addressing violence in our communities by asking ‘what can we do’? On Saturday 15 March 2025, over 50 people gathered in a hall at St Brigid’s Primary School, Mordialloc to attend a Domestic & Family Violence Forum organised by the Justice Action Group at St Mary of the Cross Parish, Mordialloc and Aspendale.

Finding hope together: Insights from Catholic Connect workshop
In an era characterised by unpredictability and instability, the recent Catholic Connect workshop provided a crucial space for around 80 leaders within the Catholic community to engage with the essential theme of Leading with Hope in Uncertain Times. This collaborative initiative between CSSV and the Catholic Development Fund, featured the insightful perspectives of three distinguished female leaders—Commissioner Micaela Cronin; Sr Joan Healy RSJ AM and Annie Carrett.

Celebrating our common mission at the CSSV Christmas gathering
The CSSV community gathered for an end-of-year Christmas event on Friday 6 December 2024, offering an opportunity to come together and to reflect on and celebrate the year that has been.

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