News and statements
Texas Catholic Voice Nov. 13, 2023
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice: Fourth special session well underway … Rest in peace, Brent Brewer … And more! A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director Parental choice in education I am ecstatic to report that on Friday, for the first time in two decades, a parental choice bill was voted out…
Read MoreOppose HB 4, uphold the rights and dignity of every person, foster the common good
The following testimony was delivered on Nov. 9 before the House State Affairs Committee by Justin Estep, senior director of Immigration and Refugee Services, Catholic Charities of Central Texas. As a church of immigrants, the Catholic Church has a long history of involvement in the immigration issue. Our experience in working with immigrants throughout the…
Read MorePope Francis relieves Bishop Joseph Strickland, appoints Bishop Joe Vásquez as apostolic administrator sede vacante
WASHINGTON – Pope Francis has relieved the Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler. At the same time, the Holy Father has appointed the Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, as the Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Tyler. These provisions were publicized in Washington,…
Read MoreTexas Catholic Voice Nov. 6, 2023
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice: Third special session closing … Pope Francis asks for prayers … Upcoming executions this month … And more! A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director Immigration The Senate Committee on Border Security took up a committee substitute to HB 4 on All Saints Day. The substitute removed…
Read MoreTexas Catholic Voice Oct 30, 2023
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice: HB 4 on immigration opposed… Update on parental choice … Stay of execution for William Speer … And more! A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director Immigration reform lacking Early Thursday morning, the House passed HB 4, which creates a state offense of improper entry to Texas,…
Read MoreHB 4 not solution for immigration reform
The following testimony was delivered on Oct. 19 before the House State Affairs Committee by Justin Estep, senior director of Immigration and Refugee Services, Catholic Charities of Central Texas. The Catholic Church has a long history of involvement in the immigration issue. Our experience in working with immigrants throughout the years compels us to speak…
Read MoreTexas Catholic Voice Oct 23, 2023
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice: Support HB 1 on parental choice … Oppose HB 4 on immigration… David Speer to be executed Thursday … Synod on Synodality … And more! A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director Last Thursday night, the long-awaited House parental choice bill was filed. HB 1 includes the…
Read MoreSupport SB1: Meets most of bishops’ criteria for supporting parental choice
The following was presented on Oct. 10, 2023. Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director My name is Jennifer Allmon, and I am the executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, testifying in support of SB 1. Fundamentally, we believe parents have the right and responsibility to direct their children’s education and Education Savings Accounts should…
Read MoreBishops address border tragedies
The TCCB has issued the following statement in response to recent reports of inhumane actions on the border: Recent media reports present a disturbing account of horrific tragedies occurring along the Rio Grande on the Texas/Mexico border. These reports stir our hearts again for the plight of our sisters and brothers who are seeking a…
Read MoreProposed changes to Medicaid and CHIP will critically weaken Texas health care safety net
TCCB Executive Director Jennifer Allmon has written to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, stating that a proposed rule released on May 3 “proposes changes to Medicaid’s financing, distribution, and adjudication that will critically weaken our health care safety net. These changes jeopardize the healthcare…
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