Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (CACG) was a non-partisan, Catholic, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in the United States, which according to its website aims to promote "the fullness of the Catholic social tradition in the public square". [1] The organization was founded in 2005 by Alexia Kelley and Tom Perriello. [2] [3] It was mentioned in the Podesta emails as an example of an organization created to support progressive Catholic values. [4] In 2010, they announced that its offices were closed, the majority of its activities ceased and all staff had moved on to other jobs. [5] In 2013, Christopher Jolly Hale was hired as an new executive director but in 2017, the group was dissolved. [6]
In 2009, co-founder Alexia Kelley was appointed by the Obama administration as Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her appointment drew both praise and criticism: while some welcomed her emphasis on faith-driven social justice and “abortion reduction” initiatives, others questioned whether her approach adequately aligned with Catholic teaching on life issues. By 2010, however, CACG began winding down its activities. According to the Catholic News Agency, the organization closed its offices, ceased most operations, and staff moved on to other positions. A subsequent report noted that the group’s downsizing also reflected broader debates about progressive Catholic political funding and influence in U.S. public life. [7] [8]
