Tom Allio announced as Roundtable Servant of Justice Award Recipient
Former Cleveland Catholic Social Action Director Recognized for Contributions
The Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors has announced Tom Allio, former Diocesan Social Action Director in the Diocese of Cleveland, as the 2011 recipient of the Roundtable Servant of Justice Award for his exemplary contributions to the achievement of the Catholic vision of social justice. The Servant of Justice Award is given by the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors to a member or former member whose work, through the tradition of Catholic social teaching, has led to significant progress towards greater social justice and dignity for all members of society at a local level.
Allio was assigned as senior director for the Cleveland Diocesan Social Action in 1989 and served in that capacity until his retirement in March 2010. He was responsible for establishing the diocesan social action system of Catholic Commissions. Throughout the past 32 years, Allio assisted in the formation of 27 non-profit or community organizations in Summit County and chaired or advised more than 50 local and state coalitions that advocated for a variety of issues that promoted life and human dignity. During Allio’s leadership, the office launched its legislative hotline, which promotes the priorities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ohio Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services.
Since 1987, Allio has served on the drafting committee for the Catholic Bishops of Ohio on several pastoral statements issued by the Bishops including: fair and adequate tax reform, a call to stand in solidarity with Ohio’s immigrants, opposition to casino gambling, opposition to concealed carry legislation, reassessing the death penalty, abortion and political life, the consistent ethic of life, and reassessing the death penalty. Under Allio’s founding leadership of the nearly 250-organization Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending, Ohio House Bill 545 was passed after a four-year battle. This bill began the serious reform of the payday lending industry in Ohio. It was seen as a national model of payday legislation and was recognized as so at a Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington DC.
On the national level, Allio has served as the chair of the Roundtable. He also served for 15 years on the board of Call to Renewal and Sojourners, working closely with Rev. Jim Wallis in advocating for the poor and uninsured.
Allio will receive the Roundtable Servant of Justice Award during the Roundtable’s Award banquet on February 12, 2011 at the beginning of the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington D.C.
Download the 2011 Roundtable Servant of Justice Award Press Release.
Tags: award, Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, consistent ethic of life, death penalty, Diocese of Cleveland, immigration, legislative advocacy, Ohio, payday lending, press release, Rev. Jim Wallis, Roundtable Symposium, Servant of Justice, Sojourners, tax reform, Tom Allio
June 30th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
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