“Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice” (CAPP) is a lay-led, pontifical organization characterized by a special relationship with Pope John Paul II, who meets with it yearly. The Holy Father sees CAPP as a vehicle for lay education and evangelization of Catholic social doctrine, as contained in his encyclical Centesimus Annus. CAPP is made up of business people, academics, and professionals who assist Pope John Paul II in his call for a ‘New Evangelization’.

Pope John Paul II established Fondazione Centesimus Annus – Pro Pontifice on June 5, 1993. It is run in accordance with its approved bylaws under the aegis of the Apostolic See. It is headquartered in the state of Vatican City. The organization is subject to the civil law of Vatican City and the Canon Law of the Church.

In the United States CAPP is established as a Connecticut not-for-profit membership corporation governed by a self-perpetuating, lay-dominated board. CAPP has received US treasury department recognition of its exemption from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Our National Ecclesiastic Counselors are Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, DC and Bishop William Lori, Bridgeport, CT.

Nationally, CAPP will be working with a Catholic University to develop programs and curriculums to instruct us on CST. We are forming a national board to develop CAPP throughout the United States. Also, the Archdiocese of Washington, DC is actively establishing a CAPP chapter and initiatives will be extant to do so in other dioceses.

Our purpose is the implementation of “Catholic Social Teaching” (CST) through lay Catholic business, academic and professional leaders.

It is our goal to be action oriented; to actively implement this personal call from the Holy Father to order and throw light upon all the affairs of the world in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

This will be our driving force, with all subsequent activities held accountable to it.

This purpose statement provides the template for deciding which programs to pursue and it will also be used to evaluate success.

CAPP uses an action plan consisting of the following:
1. Reflect
2. Evaluate
3. Act
Members first become familiar with CST in general and Centesimus Annus in particular (reflect). We then use that knowledge to evaluate the situation around us (be it neighborhood, city, county, state, country, world) in light of CST. Finally, using that insight, we develop a plan of action that will improve the real contribution of the Church’s teaching on social issues.

Specifically, CAPP seeks to engage in activities which:
• Enhance the presence and effectiveness of CST in all sectors of modern society (business, family, professional, etc.);
• Support the activities of the Holy Father and the Holy See;
• Help find new inspiration for members in their own work.

Our challenge is to develop a strong, committed group of Catholic lay men and women, rich in faith and theologically prepared to be present in public life to explain, develop and implement CST in our challenging world. We must become a deep and credible voice in the public square.

Pope John Paul II established Centesimus Annus – Pro Pontifice in 1993 as a vehicle for the personal and professional expression of Catholic social teaching by the business and professional community.

CAPP grew to 15 chapters in Italy and, just prior to the Holy Year, the Holy Father called for its globalization when he stated, “I wholeheartedly wish that the Foundation will grow so that it can ever more effectively work with the Holy See and the Church in the new evangelization and in promoting the civilization of love.” (September 11, 1999). In addition to the United States, contacts have been made in countries including Poland, Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.