Msgr. Marv Mottet to be Honored as Servant of Justice Award Recipient
“Social Justice Rockstar” of Diocese of Davenport Honored for Contributions
The Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors has announced Monsignor Marvin Mottet, of the Diocese of Davenport, as the 2012 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 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.
For more than fifty years, Msgr. Mottet has been a leader with a profound commitment to social justice and an inspiration to many Roundtable members and others furthering the Church’s social mission.
Msgr. Mottet was ordained to the priesthood in 1956 and a year later helped form the Catholic Interracial Council to address widespread racial discrimination and segregation in Davenport, Iowa. Out of this organization came the Pacem in Terris Award that has honored 40 recipients, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, and eventually Msgr. Mottet himself.
After receiving an MSW degree and directing Catholic Charities of Davenport, Msgr. Mottet developed the “Two Feet of Social Action” approach, and Catholic Charities merged with Family Resources to become one of the first diocesan social action offices in the country. His “Two Feet” illustration remains relevant to this day as others seek linkages to current papal teaching.
In 1970, Msgr. Mottet helped establish the Eastside Center and additional neighbor centers that have become United Neighbors, an organization still serving low-income families and children. He was instrumental in the formation of Legal Aid, which is still a strong entity on behalf of poor people and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. In 1972, he was key in founding Project Renewal, which still operates in the same location organizing low income persons. His work became known through the Catholic Committee on Urban Ministry (CCUM), and he was a major actor in that network.
In 1978, Msgr. Mottet was appointed the Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Development, a post he held until 1985. Afterward, he returned to his home diocese of Davenport and was a founding leader of Quad Cities Interfaith congregation‐based organization to address the causes of poverty locally. At age 81, Msgr. Mottet continues to put into practice the Gospel’s preferential option for the poor as an advocate and an example.
Msgr. Mottet will receive the Roundtable Servant of Justice Award during the Roundtable’s Award banquet on February 11, 2012 and will address participants at February 12, 2012 luncheon before the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington D.C.
Download the 2012 Servant of Justice press release.
Tags: CCHD, Diocese of Davenport, Msgr. Marv Mottet, Pacem in Terris Award, racial justice, Servant of Justice Award, Symposium, Two Feet of Social Action
July 1st, 2011 at 11:56 am
No one deserves the Servant of Justice Award more than Msgr Mottet. I am thrilled to hear the news. Msgr Mottet never fails to amaze me with his busy schedule and new ideas to promote social justice.