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.
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) celebrates the decision on Jan. 2, 2024, by the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the permanent injunction of a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidance issued last summer. In its decision in State of Texas v. Becerra, the court held that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) does not require emergency room physicians to provide abortions. The full statement of the TCCB follows. We celebrate the decision by the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the permanent injunction of the inappropriate Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidance issued last summer. The court’s decision affirms that this attempt to require abortions violates both the Texas Human Life Protection Act and the principles of the Catholic Ethical and Religious Directives for Healthcare. In the amicus brief submitted by the Texas bishops and the members of the Catholic Healthcare Leadership Alliance we stated, “To assert that abortion-which is the intentional termination of an unborn child’s life-is permitted, or even required, under EMTALA is contrary to the unambiguous text and intent of the statute.” We are gratified the justices upheld the clear text of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act ( EMTALA), which explicitly and intentionally protects unborn human life. Catholic hospitals, including in Texas, have been providing compassionate care for women and babies (born and unborn) for centuries without elective abortions, and in full compliance with EMTALA since its inception. The new law in Texas has not impacted their ability to provide consistent care for these families in accordance with the Ethical and Religious Directives approved by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. As the Church continues to accompany mothers…
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops continue to uphold church teaching regarding migration. Most recently, in a letter to the Texas Attorney General in addressing the question of “whether Texas has the sovereign power to defend itself,” the bishops said “they reaffirm their commitment to continue the Church’s ministries of outreach and education, and to work responsibly to serve the common good of all people in the State of Texas while being especially mindful of the more vulnerable and marginalized among us.” Specific to the bill signed by Governor Abbott, in testimony against the bill, a witness explained, “We understand the situation at the border has become untenable, but HB 4 is not the solution. The Church will continue to work with civic leaders, especially our Texas legislators, to uphold the rights and dignity of every person and to foster the common good.”