News and statements
2023 Teachers of the Year
Julie Ortiz Geralyn Klimitchek Teachers of the Year from small towns exemplify the vocation of educators Mrs. Julie Ortiz, who currently teaches at St. John Berchmans Catholic School in San Antonio, and Mrs. Geralyn Klimitchek, who has taught her entire career at Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Hallettsville, are the 2023 Texas Catholic Conference…
Read MoreProposed changes to ACA could mandate abortions and gender transition procedures
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Hubert H. Humphrey Building Room 509F 200 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20201 Attention: 1557 NPRM (RIN 0945-AA17) Submitted online via: https://www.regulations.gov. Dear HHS, I am submitting comments on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB). The TCCB is…
Read MoreTexas bishops grateful for overturn of Roe v Wade
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued the following statement on the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States regarding Dobbs v Jackson: We celebrate with grateful hearts the historic decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Roe v. Wade. The state of Texas will again have the ability…
Read MoreBishops mourn Uvalde victims of school shooting
AUSTIN — The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued the following statement regarding the killings at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24: The bishops of Texas mourn for the community of Uvalde and join Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller in asking God to have mercy on our children, families, and communities. We pray for…
Read MorePublic comment response to Rep. Matt Krause request
Jennifer Carr Allmon, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, has written Attorney General Ken Paxton in response to an inquiry filed by Rep. Matt Krause. On behalf of the bishops of Texas, Allmon responds to Rep. Krause’s question of “Whether the federal government has failed to uphold its obligations to protect Texas…
Read MoreTexas bishops thankful Melissa Lucio’s execution is stayed
AUSTIN — The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops thank and commend the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for intervening at this late hour to spare the life of Melissa Lucio, a mother of 14 and a grandmother, who was scheduled for execution on April 27. Their full statement follows: Since her imprisonment 14 years ago…
Read MoreTexas bishops find execution of 78-year-old ‘an act of vengeance’
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued the following statement regarding the execution of Carl Buntion on April 21: Carl Buntion, 78, was one of the oldest death row residents. Having spent almost half of his life in the harsh conditions of Texas’ prisons, he was an elderly, infirm man suffering from multiple chronic health…
Read MoreTexas bishops affirm US Supreme Court ruling in Ramirez v. Collier
AUSTIN – The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, representing the 21 active bishops in the state, were relieved to hear the news of the March 23 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to grant John Ramirez’ request to have his pastor audibly pray and lay hands on him as the State of…
Read MoreTexas bishops appeal to district attorney, state board and governor to spare the life of death row inmate Melissa Lucio
Bishops seek a withdrawal of execution date, stay of execution and clemency AUSTIN — The 21 Catholic bishops in active ministry in Texas have written Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Gov. Greg Abbott to spare the life of Melissa Lucio, a mother of 14 and a…
Read MoreTexas bishops offer solidarity to Ukraine
AUSTIN — The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued the following statement regarding the war on Ukraine: “We reaffirm the words of Pope Francis, who has been unceasing in his appeal to stop the war on Ukraine. It is a ‘senseless massacre where every day there is a repetition of slaughter and atrocities. There is…
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