Bishops’ statements
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) applauds Governor Greg Abbott’s actions which resulted in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ resolution of a Medicaid hospital-payment dispute that was withholding an estimated $27 million per day from Texas hospitals. In a Sept. 14 letter, the bishops requested CMS “to take immediate action to come to an agreement with the State of Texas on how Texas can finance Medicaid hospital payments.”
Tonight, the State of Texas executed the 600th person by lethal injection. The bishops of Texas again denounce the death penalty for its detrimental effects on the victims of violence and all society. Their statement follows:
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is grateful to the Texas House, Chairman Jeff Leach, and the House State Affairs Committee for the substantial improvements in the House substitute of HB 7. Unlike earlier versions, this bill is more restrictive of who can bring suits and includes significant privacy protections to prevent the potential harassment of women.
The bishops of Texas will continue to work with governmental officials and other people of good will to implement policies that recognize the dignity of every person, prioritize family unity, and address the root causes of forced migration, while respecting the right and responsibility of our country to secure its borders, regulate immigration in an orderly process, maintain the rule of law, and keep its communities safe and peaceful.
Valid celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) requires the use of a small amount of wine. It need only be consumed by the priest. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued guidelines regarding the use of wine inside correctional institutions. Texas Roman Catholic Bishops’ guidelines for the use of sacramental wine in correctional institutions in Texas Valid celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) requires the use of a small amount of wine. It need only be consumed by the priest. Inmates have no religious obligation to consume any of the wine which Catholics believe is the Precious Blood of Christ during Communion. The priest offering the Mass must be allowed to consume a small amount of the wine as part of the religious ritual. The consumption of wine under these circumstances will not be considered consumption of alcohol or ingestion of an illegal substance. In some cases, chaplaincy staff will purchase sacramental wine using normal procurement procedures. In other cases, a visiting minister or religious volunteer will bring the required amount of wine for the priest’s consumption during Mass with prior authorization. In cases where chaplaincy staff is responsible for providing wine to visiting priests, 2 ounces of sacramental wine will be provided in closed containers for each scheduled Mass. Wine is to be stored behind two locked doors (e.g., in a locked safe or cabinet/refrigerator within a locked office) in a secure area inaccessible to inmates. All wine brought into the institution by a visiting priest must be consumed prior to his leaving. Training on the procedures for storing, using, and disposing of sacramental wine will be provided to Chaplaincy Services staff, custody staff, religious contractors, trainees, and volunteers. This will avoid the unnecessary confiscation of essential sacred…
AUSTIN – The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops opened their Spring meeting with a renewed expression of gratitude for all who are responding to wildfires in the state’s Panhandle, and prayers for those affected by the disaster. For four weeks a series of deadly wildfires have caused suffering across the region, with loss of life and property. The blazes were over a million acres and have now been contained. “We are grateful to the firefighters and first responders for their selfless work to save lives and contain the fires,” the bishops said. “We stand in solidarity with those who are suffering loss of life and livelihood in the Texas Panhandle.” Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle reports it has sufficient donated items. Monetary gifts, through Catholic Charities USA or other local organizations, are preferred as they are more flexible and can be applied to emergent needs as they are identified. “May those who are suffering physically and materially from the fires find comfort in our prayers and in the mercy and charity being offered to them,” the bishops said. Monetary donations may be sent to Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle and Catholic Charities USA. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is the association of the Roman Catholic bishops of Texas. The TCCB represents 15 dioceses and 21 active bishops. Through the TCCB, the bishops provide a moral and social public policy voice, accredit the state’s Catholic schools, and maintain archives that reflect the work and the history of the Catholic Church in Texas.
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops recognizes the great tragedy unfolding in the panhandle region of Texas and Oklahoma, and asks for prayers and support for all. “Our Catholic brothers and sisters are united with all who are suffering from the tragic wildfires,” said Bishop Patrick Zurek of the Amarillo Diocese, where the wildfires are burning. “We are grateful to the firefighters and first responders for their work to save lives and contain the fires. The loss of life and livelihood for our families and neighbors in the Texas Panhandle is devastating, and we are blessed in the knowledge that our Catholic community is standing in solidarity with us.” Approximately 85% of the cattle raised in Texas, which provides food for the rest of the United States and the world, is being directly impacted by the fires. The Texas Catholic bishops encourage donations to Catholic Charities USA, which is coordinating with local agencies. Donate
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops provides the following statement: The Texas bishops join Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso in expressing solidarity with ministry volunteers and people of faith who seek only to serve vulnerable migrants as our nation and state continue to pursue failed migration and border security policies. We recognize migrant ministry as “an example of our Catholic commitment to the poor, the Christian call to love one’s neighbor, and stepping into the breach to take action where many will not (Bishop Seitz).” Our border ministries are intended to be a stabilizing presence that protects both citizens and migrants. The Catholic Church in Texas remains committed to praying and working for a secure border, to protect the vulnerable and for just immigration solutions to protect all human life.