The Catholic Task Force on Africa (CTFA) was founded almost a decade ago as a coalition of Catholic religious communities and organizations seeking to analyze and influence U.S. policy towards Africa based on principles of Catholic social teaching. It represents a collaborative effort to win Africa higher policy priority among U.S. government policymakers. It is composed of a broad variety of Catholic institutions, from Catholic mission-sending congregations with missionaries serving in Africa to U.S.-based advocacy groups, NGOs, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.