Denver Catholic Charities CEO to replace John Carr

Jonathan Reyes, president and CEO of Catholic Charities and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Denver since 2009, has been appointed to succeed John Carr as executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development. Reyes is expected to begin his new job in December.

Carr retired in August after working nearly 25 years for the bishops on a wide variety of domestic and international policy issues and took a fellowship at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics.

Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, announced the appointment Sept. 17.

In a statement, he praised Reyes for his “vital experience with on-the-ground charities work and with young adults.” He called him “a proven administrator” who “has the ability to inspire people to embrace the church’s social teaching and carry it out in their daily lives.”

Reyes has served as director of social ministry for the Denver Archdiocese simultaneously with his Catholic Charities position.

He also founded Christ in the City, a national volunteer and formation program for college students. In its third year, it has had more than 200 participants. In a 2010 interview, Reyes said, “I totally expect it to be a nationwide phenomenon and movement. … It’s clearly filling a need in the young who love Christ and want to serve.”

He also oversaw the creation of Regina Caeli Catholic Counseling Services and Lighthouse Women’s Care Center and completed the Guadalupe Community Assistance Center in Greeley, Colo. [More]

SOURCE

CNS/US Catholic