TCC Executive Director testifies on Border Violence
09/26/08 Filed in: Texas
On September 18, 2008, TCC Executive Director Andrew Rivas testified to the State Senate Committee on International Relations & Trade on the topic of Border Violence.
"As a Church that proclaims all human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society, the Bishops understand that crime undermines the common good and criminal behavior threatens the lives and dignity of others. As pastors and teachers of the Gospel, the Bishops call all of us to restore respect for law and life by protecting and rebuilding our communities, by confronting crime without vengeance, and by defending life without taking life."...click
ACC 2008 General Election Voter's Guide Online Now!
09/26/08 Filed in: Arizona
The Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) has just released its 2008 Voter's Guide for the upcoming General Election online at www.azcatholicconference.org.
Included in the ACC Voter's Guide are races covering the U.S. Congress, Corporation Commission, State Senate, and State House.
Pursuant to Internal Revenue Service requirements for churches and nonprofit organizations, this document does not endorse candidates or indicate our support or opposition to the questions. The ACC Voter's Guide, however, is an excellent source of information on the candidates' positions on current issues that may be reproduced and distributed in your churches.
While visiting our website, please take a moment to sign up for legislative alerts and keep up on the latest information.
For your convenience, you can now go directly to our website and view the ACC Voter's Guide by clicking here.
Pursuant to Internal Revenue Service requirements for churches and nonprofit organizations, this document does not endorse candidates or indicate our support or opposition to the questions. The ACC Voter's Guide, however, is an excellent source of information on the candidates' positions on current issues that may be reproduced and distributed in your churches.
While visiting our website, please take a moment to sign up for legislative alerts and keep up on the latest information.
For your convenience, you can now go directly to our website and view the ACC Voter's Guide by clicking here.
Illinois Presentations on Voting
09/23/08 Filed in: Illinois
CCI staff have scheduled the following presentations to various groups around the state:
* September 17, 2008 - St. George, Tinley Park - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
* September 30, 2008 - St. Clements, Chicago - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
* October 11, 2008 - Peoria Council of Catholic Women - 10:00 a.m.
* October 14, 2008 - Office of Peace & Justice - Archdiocese of Chicago & DePaul Catholic Studies Program - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
* October 19, 2008 - St. Michael's, Chicago - 5:00 p.m.
* October 20, 2008 - Faithful Citizenship, St. Matthew, Champaign - 7:00 p.m.
* October 21, 2008 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chicago - 7:00 p.m.
* October 25, 2008 - Vote a Clear Conscience, Galesburg; Notre Dame, Peoria - 3:00 p.m.
* September 17, 2008 - St. George, Tinley Park - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
* September 30, 2008 - St. Clements, Chicago - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
* October 11, 2008 - Peoria Council of Catholic Women - 10:00 a.m.
* October 14, 2008 - Office of Peace & Justice - Archdiocese of Chicago & DePaul Catholic Studies Program - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
* October 19, 2008 - St. Michael's, Chicago - 5:00 p.m.
* October 20, 2008 - Faithful Citizenship, St. Matthew, Champaign - 7:00 p.m.
* October 21, 2008 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chicago - 7:00 p.m.
* October 25, 2008 - Vote a Clear Conscience, Galesburg; Notre Dame, Peoria - 3:00 p.m.
Illinois Bishops' Election Statement
09/23/08 Filed in: Illinois
Illinois' Catholic Bishops have released a statement seeking to encourage Catholics to participate in the political process and to help them prepare for November's elections. We urge all Catholics to read the statement and weigh the issues and all the candidates for elected office carefully before voting.
For press release click here.
For statement click here.
For press release click here.
For statement click here.
Michigan - FOCUS on Proposal 2
09/23/08 Filed in: Michigan
Advocates of embryo research have placed on the November general election ballot a proposal that seeks to allow for the unregulated destruction of human embryos. This FOCUS publication is intended to analyze the effects of Proposal 2, and to help Michigan Catholics understand the damage the proposal will inflict upon the State of Michigan and its continued defense of human dignity. Read more . . .
Florida Bishops Issue Election Year Statement
09/17/08 Filed in: Florida
Vote with a properly formed conscience in order to defend human life and protect dignity
Read more . . .
Read more . . .
Third Annual Statewide Criminal Justice Conference
09/10/08 Filed in: Texas
The Texas Catholic Correctional Ministries invites all who are involved in correctional ministry to their third annual statewide conference. Speakers will include Bishop Kevin Vann, who will discuss Catholic Theology supporting Criminal Justice Ministry; as well as Bryan Collier, Deputy Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, who will speak on what TDCJ is trying to do to improve Criminal Justice in Texas and what faith-based groups can do to help. For a schedule and registration form, click here.
Minnesota Catholic Conference Reminds Catholics to Vote in Primary
09/08/08 Filed in: Minnesota
The State Primary Election is less than one week away! When you vote in the State Primary, you help choose the candidates that will appear on the ballot in the General Election. We are called to participate in all phases of the election process, because "responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, 2007, Number 13. To learn more about becoming a faithful citizen, visit the USCCBs' Faithful Citizenship Web site at www.faithfulcitizenship.org.
When you vote on Tuesday, September 9, your Ballot Card will include both a State Partisan Primary Ballot and a State and County Nonpartisan Ballot.
On the State Partisan Primary Ballot, you will be voting for Federal Offices (U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative) and State Office (State Representative). You will be permitted to vote for candidates from one political party only.
On the State and County Nonpartisan Primary Ballot, you will be voting for Judicial Offices (Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justices and District Court Judge). The candidates' party affiliation will not be provided.
When you vote on Tuesday, September 9, your Ballot Card will include both a State Partisan Primary Ballot and a State and County Nonpartisan Ballot.
On the State Partisan Primary Ballot, you will be voting for Federal Offices (U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative) and State Office (State Representative). You will be permitted to vote for candidates from one political party only.
On the State and County Nonpartisan Primary Ballot, you will be voting for Judicial Offices (Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justices and District Court Judge). The candidates' party affiliation will not be provided.
Iowa Catholic Conference Sets Speaking Events
09/08/08 Filed in: Iowa
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
Now that the party conventions are completed, the race to Election Day, Nov. 4th, is really underway. For more information from a Catholic perspective on the race for the presidency, you can read your diocesan newspaper or visit www.catholicnews.com.
As you know, the church does not endorse candidates or political parties, but we will be contributing to the political process through our "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" materials. These are planned to be available on our web site by early October.
The Iowa Catholic Conference and other Catholic organizations in the state are co-sponsoring "Faithful Citizenship" presentations. At these meetings, participants will be able to discuss what issues are important to them and learn what the church has to say about voting and the formation of conscience. Here's an updated list of the presentations:
http://www.iowacatholicconference.org" rel="self">Read more . . .
Now that the party conventions are completed, the race to Election Day, Nov. 4th, is really underway. For more information from a Catholic perspective on the race for the presidency, you can read your diocesan newspaper or visit www.catholicnews.com.
As you know, the church does not endorse candidates or political parties, but we will be contributing to the political process through our "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" materials. These are planned to be available on our web site by early October.
The Iowa Catholic Conference and other Catholic organizations in the state are co-sponsoring "Faithful Citizenship" presentations. At these meetings, participants will be able to discuss what issues are important to them and learn what the church has to say about voting and the formation of conscience. Here's an updated list of the presentations:
http://www.iowacatholicconference.org" rel="self">Read more . . .
Arizona Bishops Encourage YES Vote on Marriage (Proposition 102)
09/04/08 Filed in: Arizona
The Bishops of the Catholic Conference of Arizona, in a pastoral statement released today, are encouraging voters to vote yes this November 4 on Proposition 102, which would amend the Arizona Constitution by providing a legal definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Read more . . .
Read more . . .
Wisconsin Bishops Launch Voter Project
09/04/08 Filed in: Wisconsin
In 2008, as in past election years, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of Wisconsin’s bishops, has prepared a series of resources to help Catholics reflect on their duties as faithful citizens.
The materials consist of a nine-week series of bulletin inserts. Read more . . .
The materials consist of a nine-week series of bulletin inserts. Read more . . .
Florida's Catholic bishops disappointed with Supreme Court decision to remove Amendments 7 and 9 from November ballot
09/04/08 Filed in: Florida
The Florida Supreme Court ruled today to reverse the lower court’s decision that the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission did not exceed its authority in proposing two constitutional amendments. This decision strikes both Amendments 7 and 9 from the November 4 ballot. Amendment 7 would have removed existing language in the Florida Constitution that bars religious entities from participation in governmental programs. Amendment 9 would have allowed for public funding of school-choice alternatives.
"We are very disappointed in the Court’s ruling,’’ said D. Michael McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference.
Read more . . .
"We are very disappointed in the Court’s ruling,’’ said D. Michael McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference.
Read more . . .