US bishops tap Denver Catholic Charities CEO as justice department head

Washington D.C., Sep 17, 2012 / 14:10 pm

President and CEO of Denver Catholic Charities, Dr. Jonathan Reyes, is honored to accept his new role as executive director of the U.S. bishops' Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.

"Although I am sad to leave Catholic Charities and the community of northern Colorado, I am excited and honored by the opportunity to serve the Church in this capacity," he said in a Sept. 17 statement.

Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, the U.S. bishops conference's general secretary, made the appointment, which was announced Sept. 17.

"Jonathan Reyes brings vital experience with on-the-ground charities work and with young adults and is a proven administrator," Msgr. Jenkins said.

In December, Dr. Reyes will begin his new role with the USCCB, overseeing their efforts in domestic and international affairs and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the bishops' anti-poverty program.

"I look forward to working with the excellent staff of the USCCB," Dr. Reyes said.

Since 2009, Dr. Reyes has served the Denver Archdiocese as president and CEO of Denver Catholic Charities.

During his time with Catholic Charities, Dr. Reyes founded national volunteer and formation program for college students, Christ in the City. Now in its third year, the organization has seen over 200 participants serve the homeless of Denver while developing in their Catholic faith.

In that time, he oversaw the creation of Regina Caeli Catholic Counseling Center, which recently opened a second office due to growing request for Church-friendly mental health services.

Additionally, Dr. Reyes supervised the founding of Lighthouse Women's Care Center in Denver and completed the Guadalupe Community Assistance Center in Greeley, Colo.

Along with his role at Catholic Charities, Dr. Reyes co-founded and was the first president of Denver-based Catholic theological graduate school, the Augustine Institute, from 2005-2008.

From 2004-2005, he was vice president for campus ministry and leadership formation of the team-based evangelization program aimed toward students on college campuses, Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) in Denver.

Dr. Reyes has served on the staff of Christendom College in Front Royal, Va. as an assistant professor of history and later as vice president of academic affairs from 1998-2004.

In 2000, he received a doctorate in European history from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of Michigan in 1990.

Dr. Reyes and his wife Stephanie have seven children.