| Summary: | The decreasing number of Catholic priests seeking ordination has led to a variety of creative solutions to meet parishioners’ needs. While there are distinct similarities between the Catholic Social Teachings and the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics there is little literature pertaining to the role or practice of social work within the Catholic Church. This exploratory study employing key informant interviews examined if there was a place for social work directly within the Church. Individuals presently providing social assistance within the Church did not typically have formal counselling preparation. As well, distinct gaps in service provision exist ranging from bereavement support to youth programming. Respondents stated that social workers would be a worthwhile addition to any pastoral team and that the provision of professional psychosocial supports should no longer occur at arms length from parishioners but should be incorporated directly into the ministry of the Catholic Church.
Key Words: Catholic Church, Social Work, Spirituality
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