The Secretariat for Pastoral Services comprises the departments and persons responsible for providing opportunities for evangelization through pastoral ministry in works of service, leadership, and justice. The Secretariat aims, through its ministries, to help others enter into communion with the charity of Christ.
The following departments and ministries comprise the Secretariat for Pastoral Services: Office of Black Catholics, Catholic Charities, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Ecumenical Relations, the Hispanic Apostolate, Life Peace & Justice, Nursing Homes, Prison Ministry, the Racial Harmony Commission, the Vietnamese Apsotolate and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (an affiliated ministry).