Issues
Texas bishops express profound disappointment over decision to declare Texas Dream Act unconstitutional
The will of the Texas Legislature to enable the Texas Dream Act to continue has been overturned by a federal judge …The action by the Trump Administration and the Texas attorney general to ask a federal judge to overturn the law, and the subsequent ruling by the court, now propels our society further away from just and reasonable immigration reform that would foster human flourishing based in the tranquility of order and human dignity …
Read MoreTexas Catholic Conference of Bishops opposes SB 8
With recent changes, the TCCB opposes SB 8 out of concern that it does not adequately provide for uniform enforcement and training of local police officers who may now be authorized to enforce immigration laws in Texas.
Read MoreTestimony: Support SJR 12 so parents can engage in public school curriculum review and governance processes
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops I am testifying in support of SJR 12. As the primary educators of their children, parents have the right and responsibility to direct their children’s education. Most Texas parents, whether by choice or because a private or homeschool alternative is financially impossible, will enroll…
Read MoreTestimony: SB 504 transparency good but current text too broad in scope
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops I am testifying on SB 504. We thank Senator Kolkhorst for her commitment to transparency for tax funds distributed to non-profit entities in Texas. We believe that there should be transparency and accountability for the stewardship of tax dollars whether these dollars are spent…
Read MoreTestimony: SB2 meets minimum of bishops’ criteria for parental choice in education
Jan. 28, 2025 Testimony by Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops I am testifying in support of SB 2. SB 2 meets the minimum requirements of the bishops’ criteria for supporting parental choice legislation because it includes: Accountability through accreditation and the administration of norm-referenced assessments. Strong religious liberty and…
Read MoreTexas bishops call for just and humane approach to migration
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.
Read MoreHow to promote resources for parental engagement
Parental Engagement in Public Schools is a resource guide for families with students in public schools. Please consider using the pulpit/bulletin announcement below, or the linked postcard-sized announcements (which can be printed or shared on social media) to make families aware of this resource. As the primary educators of their children, parents have the right…
Read MoreTexas 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. 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…
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 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 MoreParental Choice Toolkit
These graphics can be used in bulletins and other printed materials and on social media to promote parental choice in education. 1. DOWNLOAD the image you want to share. 2. UPLOAD the image into a new social media post. 3. COPY & PASTE the following text into the post: Join me in asking our #TXLege House Representatives to support parental…
Read MoreBishops support parental choice
Contact your representative on parental choice
We need 75 votes in the Texas House to ensure parental choice. Contact your state representative and ask for more educational options for families who need it most. Please consider one of the following methods to contact your Texas House representative: 1. Customized contact by email or phone While this requires a few more minutes,…
Read MoreSB 2: Fails to recognize years-long asylum process and due justice
Jennifer Carr Allmon, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, delivered the following testimony in the first special session of the 88th Texas Legislature. 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 out on the…
Read MoreBishop Olson testifies in support of SB8, parental choice
My name is Bishop Michael Olson and I serve as the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth that covers 28 counties in North Texas. I am here to testify on behalf of the Diocese of Fort Worth and the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. We register initial support for the committee substitute for…
Read MoreSUPPORT HB 3162: Texas Advance Directives Act Reform
Download this content This bill was developed after months of extensive negotiation. HB 3162 represents a substantially improved cooperative effort to comprehensively address this sensitive issue. Thank you, Chair Stephanie Klick, Sen. Drew Springer, Rep. James Frank and to the following stakeholder organizations who are supporting this bill: Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Texans for…
Read More88th Legislature Immigration Bills
88th Legislature Immigration Bills For years, burdens of an unworkable system of immigration have fallen heavily on states and communities along the US-Mexico border. The human and moral cost of ongoing federal inaction to create an effective set of policies to ensure safe and orderly migration is tragically reflected both in an unprecedented number of persons…
Read MoreTexas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports parental choice in education bills
AUSTIN — Recognizing education is one of the best means to escape poverty and that parents are best suited to determine the right educational choice for their children, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) supports a set of bills increasing parental choice in education. The bills have been filed by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Sen.…
Read MoreLetter to Attorney General Paxton about Blaine amendments
The anti-Catholic history of Blaine amendments Today we submitted a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton outlining the anti-Catholic history of Blaine amendments and the constitutionality of parental choice Education Savings Accounts in Texas. Thank you to Nicole Garnett and the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative for assistance. Read the letter here
Read More88th Legislature Parental Choice Bills
88th Legislature Parental Choice Bills The bishops’ criteria for supporting parental choice legislation includes the following: a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, ensuring students with the greatest academic and financial need are first in line; academic accountability which requires accreditation and the administration of a norm- or criterion-referenced assessment each year (current practice…
Read MoreSupport Family Educational Relief Program, SB 1968
My name is Jennifer Allmon, and I am the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of SB 1968. The Texas bishops believe parents are the primary and principal educators of their children and therefore must be free to determine the best educational environment for their children. To ensure quality…
Read MoreKeep Religious Liberty: Oppose SB 1669
My name is Lisette Allen and I am the Director of Education at the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in opposition to SB 1669. The Texas bishops support school choice and religious liberty that respects the independence and autonomy of private and religious schools, while also fostering strong public-school options. We are concerned with…
Read MoreSupport SB 1646 (Perry) | HB 4014 (Hefner)
The bishops seek to promote strong, stable, and healthy families, and oppose direct threats to innocent life, from conception to natural death. Our opposition to hormonal therapies and surgeries that aim at cross-sex transitioning or gender reassignment comes from this concern for the health of children and their families. For these reasons we support SB…
Read MoreReform of Texas Advance Directives Act HB 3099 (Coleman) | SB 1944 (Lucio)
All human life, no matter how disabled or critically ill, is of inherent dignity and incomparable worth; all are entitled to adequate healthcare. A balanced approach to end-of-life care equally respects the rights of patients in the natural process of dying and the conscience of healthcare professionals providing their care. The Texas Advance Directives Act…
Read MoreNo Abortions Funded by Taxpayers: Support HB 1173
My name is Shannon Jaquette and I am the Policy Analyst at the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of HB 1173. Last session the legislature had the wisdom and foresight to pass legislation to protect taxpayers from subsidizing abortion through preferential contracts and property deals. Despite the fact that time and time…
Read MorePromote Criminal Justice Reform: Support HB 1340
My name is Rachana Chhin, and I am the Legislative Counsel of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of HB 1340. The TCCB support criminal justice reform that provides for compassionate treatment of prisoners, responds to the needs of victims of crime, and encourages rehabilitation and forgiveness for those re-entering society. HB…
Read MoreChemical Abortion Safety Protocol: Support HB 2337
My name is Shannon Jaquette and I am the Policy Analyst at the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of HB 2337, the Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol. I want to be clear from the outset that no abortion is safe; every abortion is the intentional killing of an innocent human person. Until the…
Read MoreSupport Life: HB 1280
My name is Shannon Jaquette and I am the Policy Analyst at the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of HB 1280. Supporting pro-life laws is part of our history and heritage as Texans. The state of Texas has repeatedly passed legislation to recognize and respect the dignity of unborn human life. Our…
Read MoreReform the Texas Advance Directives Act: Support SB 1944
My name is Bishop Michael Olson and I am testifying on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops in support of SB 1944. The Texas Advance Directives Act dispute resolution process protects patients and physicians by providing a fair and reasonable process to resolve disagreements regarding end of life care decisions. While this law…
Read MoreOppose SB 917: No Unlimited Intervention
My name is Bishop Michael Olson and I am testifying on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops in opposition to SB 917. The Catholic voice behind the pro-life movement does not view death as the ultimate enemy. We view it through a lens of the inherent sanctity of human life, including life in…
Read MoreFamily Educational Relief Program SB 1968 (Bettencourt) | HB 4537 (Middleton)
The establishment of the Family Educational Relief Program, and an insurance premium tax credit for contributions made for purposes of that program, empowers parents and guardians to choose from public, private, charter or homeschool options for their children’s education. Catholic and other nonpublic school parents often make difficult sacrifices to pay tuition and fees while…
Read MoreDo not weaken consumer protection ordinances: oppose HB610
My name is Jennifer Allmon, and I am the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in opposition to HB 610. The Texas bishops support prioritizing the poor and vulnerable when addressing social and economic needs through public policy, including by opposing usurious loans, payday, and auto title lending, as well as…
Read MorePrioritize the poor and vulnerable: Support HB 1916
My name is Jennifer Allmon, and I am the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of HB 1916. The Texas bishops support prioritizing the poor and vulnerable when addressing social and economic needs through public policy. We seek to assist those who are in the greatest need through various…
Read MoreHomeowners’ rights: Support SB 581
My name is Jennifer Allmon, and I am the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of SB 581. The Texas bishops support religious liberty especially as it pertains to human life, marriage, and the family, as well as supporting conscience protection for individuals and organizations. SB 581 seeks to…
Read MoreSupport Parents’ Rights: Testimony in Support of SB 442
My name is Shannon Jaquette. I am the Policy and Education Analyst for the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops and I am testifying in support of Senate Bill 442. As the primary and principal educators of their children, parents have the right and responsibility to impart their values in all aspects of their children’s education,…
Read MoreStop Subsidizing Abortion: Testimony in Support of SB650
My name is Jennifer Allmon and I’m the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. I am testifying in support of SB 650. Last session the legislature had the wisdom and foresight to pass legislation to protect taxpayers from subsidizing abortion through preferential contracts and property deals. Despite the fact that time and…
Read MoreRegulate Chemical Abortion: Testimony in Support of SB 394
My name is Jennifer Allmon and I am the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. I am here today to testify in support of SB 394, the Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol. I want to be clear from the outset that no abortion is safe; every abortion is the intentional killing of an…
Read MoreProhibit Abortion: Testimony in Support of SB9
My name is Jennifer Allmon and I am the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. I’m testifying in support of SB 9. Supporting pro-life laws is part of our history and heritage as Texans. The State of Texas has repeatedly and throughout our history passed legislation to recognize and respect the dignity…
Read MoreStrengthen Freedom of Conscience: Testimony in Support of SB 247
My name is Rachana Chhin, and I am a licensed Texas attorney and Legislative Counsel of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of SB 247. The Texas bishops support religious liberty especially as it pertains to human life, marriage, and the family, as well as supporting conscience protection for individuals and organizations.…
Read MoreReview Sentencing of Juveniles: Testimony in Support of HB 686
My name is Rachana Chhin, and I am the Legislative Counsel of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of HB 686. The Texas bishops support criminal justice reform that provides for compassionate treatment of prisoners, responds to the needs of victims of crime, and encourages rehabilitation and forgiveness for those re-entering society.…
Read MoreCriminal Justice Reform: Testimony in Support of HB 252
My name is Jennifer Allmon, and I am the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops testifying in support of HB 252. The Texas bishops support criminal justice reform that provides for compassionate treatment of prisoners, responds to the needs of victims of crime, and encourages rehabilitation and forgiveness for those re-entering society.…
Read MoreCapital Jury Instructions HB 252 (Moody) | SB 189 (Lucio)
Capital Jury instructions should be truthful The current criminal justice system has both the tools for life imprisonment without execution and has significant flaws in sentencing practices that undermine the ability for the public to trust that every convicted person on death row in Texas is actually guilty. A capitol jury has a tremendous burden…
Read MoreConscience Protection for Healthcare Professionals HB 1291 (Bell) | SB 573 (Springer)
In 1973, the same year the Supreme Court changed abortion law in the U.S., Congress passed provisions collectively known as the Church Amendments to protect the conscience rights of workers and institutions in the healthcare industry (Federal Health Care Conscience Protection Statutes, 1973). In 1977, Texas followed suit with its own conscience protections of health…
Read MoreChaplain Access to Prisoners HB 1579 (White) | SB 654 (Bettencourt/Lucio/Springer)
The TCCB supports criminal justice reform that provides for compassionate treatment of prisoners, responds to the needs of victims of crime, and encourages rehabilitation and forgiveness for those re-entering society. Bills filed this session address both the overall need for prisoners to have access to spiritual support and the specific concerns of those awaiting capital…
Read MoreAlternative to Abortion Program
Human life is intrinsically valuable and should be protected by law from conception, which happens at fertilization, to natural death. The family is the sanctuary where parents teach children how they ought to live. The TCCB opposes direct threats to innocent human life, from conception to natural death, and promotes strong, stable, and healthy families.…
Read MoreHuman Life Protection Act or Trigger Ban SB 9 (Paxton) | HB 1280 (Capriglione)
The goal of the Human Life Protection Act, or Trigger Ban (SB 9/HB 1280) by Sen. Angela Paxton and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, is to enact a complete ban on abortion that will go into effect when and to the extent that Supreme Court reverses its precedent preventing states from banning abortion – Roe v. Wade…
Read MoreChemical Abortion Regulation SB 394 (Lucio) | HB 2337 (Klick)
No abortion is safe; we mourn for each child who is killed in the womb. While abortion continues to be legal in the United States, we support efforts to mititgate its effects on mothers. We support the regulation of chemical (drug-induced) abortion to protect the health and safety of every woman considering a drug-induced abortion.…
Read MoreTwelve Month Continuous Medicaid for Children
Data shows that thousands of eligible children are being removed from the Medicaid program due to an inefficient, rushed process. Keeping a child enrolled for 12 months would allow parents peace of mind and ensure a child receives the continuous healthcare so necessary to keep a child healthy and out of the emergency room. …
Read MoreJornada Mundial Católica de Reflexión y Oración
Además, el 8 de febrero ha sido designado por la Santa Sede y la Unión Internacional de Superiores Generales como la Jornada Mundial de Reflexión y Oración Contra la Trata de Personas. El 8 de febrero es la memoria litúrgica de Santa Josefina Bakhita, quien fue secuestrada cuando era niña y vendida como esclava en…
Read More16 de enero: Ruegue a Dios por el don para discernir las acciones que usted puede tomar para enfrentar el tráfico de personas.
Todo habitante de Texas tiene la oportunidad de unirse al combate en contra del tráfico de personas, ya sea educando a sus amigos, acompañando como mentor a jóvenes en situación vulnerable, siendo un consumidor consciente, apoyando económicamente organizaciones de confianza, o reportando actividades sospechosas. Publicaciones de gráficos y redes sociales Facebook / Instagram /…
Read More15 de enero: Ruegue a Dios para que desaparezcan la demanda y los factores sociales que conducen a la explotación.
Oración de intercesión Por la fortaleza para iniciar el cambio en nuestra cultura hipersexualizada y orientada al consumo y para que termine la explotación de otras personas. Roguemos al Señor. Para reflexionar El tráfico sexual simplemente no sería económicamente viable si no hubiese demanda. Los consumidores de sexo impulsan el mercado del comercio sexual ilegal.…
Read More14 de enero: Ruegue a Dios por todos aquellos que trabajan para llevar ante la justicia a los traficantes y explotadores
Oración de intercesión Por las fuerzas del orden, para que Dios les conceda la sabiduría que les permita reconocer situaciones de trabajo forzoso y esclavitud sexual, mientras trabajan para proteger a las víctimas y castigar a los perpetradores. Roguemos al Señor. Para reflexionar La identificación de las víctimas sigue siendo un desafío importante en los…
Read More13 de enero: Ruegue a Dios para que los sobrevivientes encuentren sanación.
Oración de intercesión Para que los sobrevivientes de la trata de personas puedan encontrar el apoyo que necesitan y comenzar una nueva vida. Roguemos al Señor. Para reflexionar Ayudar a alguien a escapar de la esclavitud es solo un primer paso en su camino hacia la sanación. A menudo el sobreviviente de la trata de…
Read More12 de enero: Ruegue a Dios por todos los que trabajan en primera línea para apoyar a los sobrevivientes
Oración de intercesión Por los niños, especialmente aquellos en nuestra propia comunidad que son vulnerables a la trata de personas y la esclavitud, para que haya adultos amorosos y solidarios que puedan ayudarlos a encontrar seguridad y sanación. Roguemos al Señor. Para reflexionar “Al traficante le resulta fácil ofrecer sus ´servicios´ a las víctimas, que…
Read More11 de enero: Ruegue a Dios por los esfuerzos de prevención y por quienes son vulnerables.
Oración de intercesión Por los inocentes que sufren el abuso pecaminoso de la esclavitud, y por la conversión de las almas perdidas que los mantienen cautivos y los explotan. Roguemos al Señor. Para reflexionar La trata de personas ocurre en todas las comunidades. Eso significa que cada uno de nosotros puede hacer algo para detenerla.…
Read More10 de enero: Ruegue a Dios por el fin de la trata de personas
Oración de intercesión Para que, al comenzar una semana de oración para poner fin a la trata de personas, podamos sentirnos inspirados a actuar en nuestras comunidades locales apoyando y protegiendo a los sobrevivientes de la trata de personas. Roguemos al Señor. Para reflexionar Como católicos creemos en la dignidad de toda vida humana, y…
Read MoreJan. 16 Pray for discernment on the actions you can personally take to address human trafficking
Every Texas has an opportunity to join the fight against human trafficking, whether by educating friends, mentoring vulnerable youth, being a conscious consumer, financially supporting trusted organizations, or reporting suspicious activity. Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: Pope Francis says, “Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ.” Please…
Read MoreJan. 15 Pray for an end to demand and societal factors that lead to exploitation
Intercessory Prayer For courage to initiate change in our hypersexualized and consumer-driven culture, to end exploitation of others, we pray to the Lord. For reflection Sex trafficking would simply not be profitable without demand. Sex buyers drive the market for the illegal sex trade. From May 2019 – June 2020, CEASE Texas identified over 1…
Read MoreFeb. 8 World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action against Human Trafficking
Feb. 8 has been designated by the Vatican and the International Union of Superiors General as a World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action against Human Trafficking. Feb. 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Eventually taught by Canossian…
Read MoreJan. 14 Pray for all those working to bring traffickers and exploiters to justice
Intercessory Prayer For law enforcement, that God grant them the wisdom to recognize situations of forced labor and sexual slavery, while working to protect its victims and punish its perpetrators, we pray to the Lord. For reflection Victim identification remains a significant challenge to U.S. efforts to prevent trafficking, prosecute perpetrators, and protect. The Texas…
Read MoreJan. 13 Pray for survivors to find healing
Intercessory Prayer For survivors of human trafficking, that they might find the support they need to start a new life, we pray to the Lord. For reflection Helping someone escape from slavery is just a first step in their path toward healing. Often the survivor of human trafficking needs a community to support him/her. Victims…
Read MoreJan. 12 Pray for all those working on the front line to support survivors
Intercessory Prayer For children, especially those in our own community, who are vulnerable to human trafficking and slavery, that loving and caring adults may help them find safety and healing, we pray to the Lord. For reflection “It becomes easy for the trafficker to offer his own ‘services’ to the victims, who often do not…
Read MoreJan. 11 Pray for prevention efforts and those who are vulnerable
Intercessory Prayer For the innocents who suffer under the sinful abuse of slavery and for conversion of the utterly lost souls who hold them captive and exploit them, we pray to the Lord. For reflection Human trafficking happens in every community. That means each of us can do something to stop it. As Pope Francis…
Read MoreJan. 10 Pray for an end to human trafficking
Intercessory Prayer As we begin a week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking, may we be inspired to act in our local communities to support and protect survivors of human trafficking, we pray to the Lord. For reflection As Catholics, we believe in the dignity of every human life and vigorously oppose human trafficking and…
Read MoreTCCB Comments to Article II Subcommittee on Alternatives to Abortion (A2A) Program
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (“TCCB”) recently submitted comments to the Texas Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Article II in support of the Alternatives to Abortion (“A2A”) program and provided suggestions on how best to utilize increased funding provided by the Legislature during the 86th Session. The A2A program exists to support mothers and…
Read MoreGratitude to Sanofi Pasteur on Ethical Polio Vaccines
Sanofi Pasteur, one of the leading providers of polio vaccines, recently announced it will only use an ethical animal cell line to produce its stand-along polio vaccines Pentacel and Quadracel. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops thanked Sanofi Pasteur. You can also, by writing them here.
Read MoreHow you can help: Immigrants & Refugees
Upon request from Catholics across the state, the TCCB created a new resource page where you can find links to helpful ministry resources in Texas. The first item that we have created a page for is “Immigrants and Refugees.” You can find that link here or under “Pastoral Resources” –> “How You Can Help” in…
Read MoreLet doctors practice medicine, not abortion!
From USCCB Pro-Life Action Alerts: Do you think that doctors should be forced to perform abortions or “gender transition” procedures against their beliefs? Or that taxpayers should be forced to pay for them? If the answer is NO, please send a comment to the Department of Health and Human Services today! A little background: In…
Read MoreSine Die Report for the 86th Legislature
Sine Die Report on Priority Bills in the 86th Legislative Session Educate: Throughout the 2019 session, we educated and mobilized the laity to take an active role in supporting the bishops’ agenda. Specifically, we have published online briefs—available here—of the topics on our legislative agenda to explain Church teaching and how to improve state law.…
Read MoreSB 2089: Complex bill still needs agreement
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) applauds Sen. Bryan Hughes’ wise acceptance of Sen. Eddie Lucio’s amendment to SB 2089. As Sen. Hughes said with this amendment, SB 2089 is now a better piece of legislation and will ensure appropriate care for Texans facing important end-of-life decisions. The improved engrossed SB 2089 now protects…
Read MoreHB 874: Don’t criminalize those who default on usurious loans
Testimony by Rachana Chhin The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 874. This bill prevents criminal changes or threats of criminal charges for payday or auto-title loan defaults. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure that consumers who default on usurious loans are not faced with criminal charges. St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic…
Read MoreHB 190: Ensure payday and auto-title lenders verify ability to repay before issuing a loan
Testimony by Rachana Chhin Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops are in support of HB 190. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops have regularly advocated for payday lending reform in the last few sessions. This is rooted in both scripture’s exhortation not to lend at usurious interest and Catholic Social Teaching’s preferential option for the poor…
Read MoreHB 2266: Repeal “anti-sanctuary cities” legislation
Testimony by Rachana Chhin The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 2266, which would repeal SB 4, passed in 2017, which was an “anti-sanctuary cities” law that required compliance with ICE detainers, preempted local law enforcement policies, and seeks to remove police chiefs who do not cooperate. We support HB 2266 to end the…
Read MoreSB 2355: Support reform of hospital ethics committees
Testimony given by Jennifer Allmon The TCCB would like to thank Senator Lucio for filing this bill to require hospitals to adopt and implement policies to prevent financial conflicts of interest and discrimination based on disability. While we support the basic structure of the Texas Advance Directives Act, over the last several years the bishops…
Read MoreSB 2129: Oppose unilateral authority of patients
Testimony given by Jennifer Allmon The Texas Catholic Bishops have worked on advance directives reform in Texas for decades, supporting legislation that respects autonomy and human dignity, both for patients and providers. All human life, no matter how disabled or critically ill, is of quality and incomparable worth and no one is less entitled to…
Read MoreSB 2089: Oppose indefinite medical interventions
Testimony given by Jennifer Allmon The Catholic voice behind the pro-life movement does not view death as the ultimate enemy. We view it through a lens of the inherent sanctity of human life, including life in its final stages, life that is in fact dying. We must oppose the approach taken by this bill. Requiring…
Read MoreHB 4199: Powerful message of profound respect for life
Testimony given by Jennifer Allmon This bill is short and simple, but presents a powerful message of profound respect for unborn life, the lives of persons living with disabilities, and the noble desire of doctors to do no harm to their patients. H.B. 4199 prohibits wrongful birth lawsuits that claim a child should have been…
Read MoreHB 773: No aqua cremation of human remains
Testimony provided by Jennifer Carr Allmon We oppose this bill because it allows for the aqua cremation of human remains using alkaline hydrolysis. The dehydration of human remains in a vat of chemicals is disrespectful of the human body and does not allow for burial of the body. Treating the dead with respect is a…
Read MoreHB 3899: Don’t override local zoning ordinances
Testimony provided by Jennifer Allmon On its surface, this bill violates the Catholic principal of subsidiarity, which notes that governmental decisions are best made by those closest to those impacted by the decisions. In political terms, this might be translated as legislation through consent of the governed. We recognize it is legitimate to protect the…
Read MoreHB 2350: Ban abortions “triggered” by court precedent
Testimony provided by Jennifer Allmon Supporting pro-life laws is part of our history and heritage as Texans. The State of Texas has repeatedly and throughout our history passed legislation to recognize and respect the dignity of unborn human life. Our state’s first prohibition on abortion 1854 remained intact for 120 years until Roe struck it…
Read MoreHB 1929: No subsidizing of abortion providers
Testimony provided by Jennifer Allmon HB 1929 will protect tax payers from subsidizing abortion providers through preferential contracts and property deals. Time and time again the people of Texas have made it abundantly clear that our citizens have a tremendous respect for unborn human life. This bill ensures that our tax dollars are not used…
Read MoreHB 16: Babies should be given medical care after “failed” abortion
Testimony given by Bishop Patrick Zurek, Amarillo Regardless of the circumstances of his or her birth, any baby merely by virtue of being born is a legally-recognized person. Under this bill, he or she must be treated like any other premature infant and given medical care appropriate to his or her age and needs. Actively…
Read MoreSB 22: stop subsidizing abortion providers
Testimony provided by Jennifer Carr Allmon Senate Bill 22 will protect tax payers from subsidizing abortion providers through preferential contracts and property deals. Time and time again the people of Texas have made it abundantly clear that our citizens have a tremendous respect for unborn human life. This bill ensures that our tax dollars are…
Read MoreCardinal DiNardo leads delegation to border, holds press conference
WASHINGTON—On Monday, July 2, a delegation of bishops led by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, plan to meet with U.S. government officials and members of the Catholic community as part of a full day of visits with a focus on family unity. Immediately following the engagements, the bishops…
Read MoreHelp save Juan Castillo’s Life!
Juan Castillo is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, May 16 by the State of Texas. Join our Texas bishops, fellow parishioners, Catholic Mobilizing Network and hundreds of people of goodwill in raising our voices to save a life! Help by clicking here to send a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles asking…
Read MoreLos obispos cuestionan la detención de una niña con parálisis cerebral
La aplicación de las leyes de inmigración debe ser compasiva, enfocarse en los delincuentes, no en pacientes que esperan cirugía AUSTIN – El caso de una niña de 10 años, indocumentada, que fue detenida por agentes federales en su camino a una cirugía de emergencia, resalta la necesidad de aclarar las responsabilidades respecto de la…
Read MoreGiving in disaster: Give like the widow
By Jennifer Carr Allmon Executive Director, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops “And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of…
Read MoreCatholic Church taking national collection for storm assistance
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked bishops across the country to consider a special collection to assist victims of Hurricane Harvey along the Gulf Coast. He suggested in an Aug. 28 letter to bishops that the collection be taken during Masses…
Read MoreFoster care children win with Governor’s signing of HB 3859
Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 3859 into law today, allowing people and institutions with sincerely held religious beliefs the opportunity to serve children in the foster care system without violating their consciences. “We are very grateful to Governor Abbott for signing HB 3859, and for all of the hard work of Rep. James Frank and…
Read MoreAs amended, HB 21 improves school finance and offers choice for special needs students
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 21 as amended by the Senate. The Principle of Parental Choice. We strongly support parental choice and we applaud Rep. Simmons for authoring this bill, both because it: 1. recognizes that parents are the primary educators of a child, and 2. provides opportunities for special needs…
Read MoreHB 2008: requires payday lenders to comply with federal military lending regs
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 2008. This bill requires that payday and auto-title lenders comply with the federal military lending act. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent predatory loans to active duty military. The Texas Catholic Bishops first became concerned about the harmful effects of payday and…
Read MoreHB 1134: uniform statewide payday lending regulations
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 1134. We would like to thank Representative Craddick for filing this important bill to provide uniform statewide regulation for payday and auto-title lenders. Frustrated with the lack of meaningful regulation by the state, cities throughout Texas have taken steps to pass a unified ordinance…
Read MoreHB 1335: Parental choice helps children in foster care and with special needs, too
Michael Barba Associate Director of Public Policy My name is Michael Barba and I am testifying on HB 1335 on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. The Principle of Parental Choice. We strongly support parental choice and we applaud Rep. Simmons for authoring this bill, both because it: recognizes that parents are the…
Read MoreHB 3347: Support before- and after-school care
Michael Barba Associate Director of Public Policy The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports HB 3347. Analysis and Recommendation. Under HB 3347, the board of trustees of a school district can establish before-school and after-school programs for students in Elementary or Middle school. The programs would be maintained through public-private partnerships, and HB 3347 effectively makes…
Read MoreHB 3081: Undermines attempts to regulate predatory payday and auto title lending
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops oppose HB 3081. HB 3081 seeks to prohibit local cities from establishing payday and auto-title lending regulations. On its surface, this bill violates the Catholic principal of subsidiarity, which notes that governmental decisions are best made by those closest to those impacted by the decisions –…
Read MoreSB 2178: Should not include payday and auto title lending in its scope
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops opposes SB 2178. Bill Analysis. SB 2178 establishes that a suit may be filed by a state-licensed business in district court against a municipal regulation if: the municipal regulation is more burdensome than the state regulation, or the municipal regulation would result in an adverse economic impact…
Read MoreHB 741: protects consumers of payday and auto title loans
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports HB 741. HB 741 establishes that a credit services organization (CSO)[1] may not: extend credit to a consumer, or offer advice or assistance to a consumer unless they first evaluate the consumer’s ability to repay the extended credit alongside all other known obligations. We applaud Rep.…
Read MorePope Francis and climate change
Editor’s Note: The Texas Legislature’s International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee invited Ricardo Simmonds, Environmental Policy Advisor for the Office of Domestic Social Development, within the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, to address the committee on the Catholic Church’s stance on the environment, from the perspective…
Read MoreSB 892: expands a diverse network of foster care providers
Jennifer Carr Allmon The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support SB 892. This bill ensures that Texas will maintain and expand a broad and diverse network of foster care providers. In light of the foster care crisis that Texas has endured, the passage of this bill is an essential tool in reform. Since 1727, Catholic…
Read MoreSB 2144: school finance reform needs student-centered equity
Michael Barba The Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops support SB 2144. This is the best first step toward addressing our school finance system, and runs parallel to our work: following the 2017 session, the bishops have charged the TCCB with providing recommendations upon how to improve the finance system. Our work will shed light on…
Read MoreHB 64 & HB 1537: Death penalty serves no purpose in Texas today
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 64 and 1537. We thank Reps. Dutton and Farrar for filing this legislation. Analysis of Capital Punishment. There are four goals or ends of punishment which the bishops use to analyze whether a punishment is legitimate and should be applied: 1. the punishment results in the…
Read MoreHB 316: Punishment appropriate for the actions
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 316. We thank Rep. Canales for filing this legislation. Analysis of HB 316. There are four goals or ends of punishment which the bishops use to analyze whether a punishment is legitimate and should be applied: 1. the punishment results in the rehabilitation of the…
Read MoreHB 995: Alternate agent for medical power of attorney could cause confusion
Michael Barba Associate Director of Public Policy The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops oppose HB 995. Cause for Opposition. On page 6, lines 17-20 HB 995 states: “You may wish to designate an alternate agent in the event that your agent is unwilling, unable, or ineligible to act as your agent. Any alternative agent you designate…
Read MoreHB 2858: addresses horrors of human trafficking
Jennifer Carr Allmon As executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, I’m testifying in support of HB 2858. Many of our Catholic Charities agencies provide assistance to victims of human trafficking. While I worked at Catholic Charities in Houston, I served on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Anti-Trafficking Task Force. In that…
Read MoreHB 3947: strikes at payday lending reform
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops opposes HB 3947. Bill Analysis. HB 3947 establishes that a suit may be filed by a state-licensed business in district court against a municipal regulation if: the municipal regulation is more burdensome than the state regulation, or the municipal regulation would result in an adverse economic impact on the…
Read MoreHB 1155: Disrespectful of the human body
Jennifer Carr Allmon The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops opposes HB 1155. We oppose this bill because it allows for the cremation of human remains using alkaline hydrolysis. The dehydration of human remains in a vat of chemicals is disrespectful of the human body and does not allow for burial of the body. Treating the dead…
Read MoreHB 2225: oppose removal of state standards for child migrants
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is against HB 2225. We oppose this bill because it effectively removes the state’s standards for childcare if the children are migrants. Background. The licensing requirements maintained by DFPS were established in order to ensure the quality of care for children housed in family residential centers (FRCs).[1]…
Read MoreHB 3054: improve the rights of juries serving death penalty cases
Mary Helen Russell I’m testifying in support of HB 3054 on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. The Bishops are meeting today across the street in preparation for their advocacy day tomorrow, which is why the Executive Director, Jennifer Allmon, is unable to be here to deliver this testimony. However, the issue is…
Read MoreHB 3859: ensures broad and diverse network for foster care reform
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is in support of HB 3859. This bill ensures that Texas will maintain and expand a broad and diverse network of foster care providers. In light of the foster care crisis that Texas has endured, the passage of this bill is…
Read MoreSB 1018: Denies the dignity of families
Michael Barba I am testifying against SB 1018 on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. Background. The licensing requirements maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) were established in order to ensure the quality of care for children housed in family residential centers. DFPS first established an emergency version…
Read MoreHB 1799: Good cooperation to keep children safe in public and private schools
Lisette Allen The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support of HB 1799. In our own operation of schools, we have established a program called Safe Environment, through which we train all staff how to recognize early signs of potential abuse and prevent it from occurring. We maintain policies governing adult-student interactions, including on social media.…
Read MoreBishops object to House version of SB4, anti-sanctuary city bill
The House State Affairs Committee considered SB4 today, and Bishop Joe Vasquez testified against the bill. As passed by the Senate, two parts of the bill are particularly objectionable: (1) the bill does not prioritize criminal offenders for detention and deportation, and (2) the bill allows local law enforcement to stop individuals in public and…
Read MoreHB 21: First step in addressing school finance reform
Michael Barba HB 21 makes adjustments to the finance system, especially by providing a new weight for dyslexic student and folding funds into the Basic Allotment. It is a first step toward addressing a fundamental problem in the system. The fundamental problem is that Texas collects revenue through a local property tax to fund a…
Read MoreHB 35: Protects dignity of the human person
Jennifer Carr Allmon The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports H.B. 35 because it seeks to protect the dignity of the human person. In particular, the Bishops are grateful to Chairman Cook and his staff for their role in bringing this issue to light. The revisions contained in H.B. 35 are long overdue and provide…
Read MoreSB 20: ‘Great first step’ to prevent Texans from unintentionally subsidizing abortion
Jennifer Allmon The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports SB 20. We would like to thank Senator Taylor for filing this bill to prohibit abortion coverage on health benefits plans in the federal health benefit exchange program. We also applaud the provision which requires that individuals purchasing insurance be notified that coverage for abortion is…
Read MoreSB 25: Stop ‘wrongful birth’ lawsuits
Jennifer Allmon The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports S.B. 25. This bill is short and simple, but presents a powerful message of profound respect for unborn life and the lives of persons living with disabilities, and the noble desire of doctors to do no harm to their patients. S.B. 25 prohibits wrongful birth lawsuits that claim…
Read MoreBishops support full funding of Texas’ DFPS
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support fully funding DFPS, especially programs pertaining to aging out, kinship care, prevention and intervention, and the shift to a regional community-based model. To inform this conversation, I’ll walk through two persistent problems facing the agency. Caseload In 1996, the Governor’s Committee to Promote Adoption told DFPS…
Read MoreFort Worth Catholic Charities: HB4 encourages positive kinship care for children in foster care
Dana Springer Director of Child Welfare Services Catholic Charities Fort Worth The main goal of foster care is reunification between child and their birth family. Currently, relatives of the child are not the first option for placement. Research by the Health and Human Services Department has shown that children placed in kinship care have less…
Read MoreFort Worth Catholic Charities: Faith-based agencies welcome HB6
Shannon Rosedale Catholic Charities Fort Worth. More than 25% of Texas’ foster care provider networks are faith-based. These agencies provide a necessary service to protect the state’s most vulnerable children. The services provided are life-saving. For the system improvements in HB 6 to be successful, they must be coupled with conscience protections. Protecting the conscience…
Read MoreAlternatives ways to reform immigration system – not SB4
Michael Barba Associate Director of Public Policy, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops As Bishop Joe Vasquez stated emphatically, we oppose Senate Bill 4. I add to his testimony several alternatives, recommended by the bishops, which would significantly improve our immigration system. It would serve the people of Texas to examine how our laws can advance…
Read MoreTestimony on SB 11: Cautious first step in foster care reform
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops I’m testifying in cautious support of SB 11. The issues facing our foster care system in Texas are numerous and complex. SB 11 is a beginning point in providing some needed reforms. We believe that a triage assessment system is an improvement that will…
Read MoreBishop Vásquez: SB 4 Opposition Testimony
My name is Bishop Joe Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin. I am testifying today on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. We are opposed to Senate Bill 4. The Catholic Church has a long history of involvement in the immigration issue. Our experience in working with immigrants throughout the years compels us…
Read MoreLegislative highlights: Justice for Immigrants
National Migration Week, which has been observed for more than a quarter of a century, carries renewed importance this year. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Archbishop José H. Gomez, president and vice president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, offered these thoughts in their message: “Migration is, more than anything, an act of great hope.…
Read MoreNovena for life begins Jan. 21
A modern adaptation of an ancient Catholic prayer allows people to prepare spiritually for the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States, Roe v. Wade. The nine day prayer, titled “9 Days for Life,” is organized by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day falls…
Read MoreCatholic Church commits to ongoing work for refugees
AUSTIN — Catholic charitable and social services will continue to work with other nonprofits serving refugees in Texas, as the state government announced its intention to step away from its role. Speaking on behalf of two dozen Catholic organizations and his fellow Catholic bishops in the state, Bishop Michael F. Olson of Fort Worth said,…
Read MoreExecutive Director provides testimony to state’s Investments and Financial Services Committee
AUSTIN — The Catholic Church’s experience of clients with outstanding payday and auto-title loans has led the Texas bishops to become champions for reform of the unregulated payday and auto-title lending industry. In testimony before the Texas House’s Investments and Financial Services Committee, the executive director of the bishops’ state conference explained that better consumer…
Read MoreTexas Bishops encourage tax credit scholarship program
AUSTIN — Texans can benefit from the insights coming from the 20 tax credit scholarship programs which exist around the nation, the executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference testified to the state’s Senate Education Committee in Austin. “We have the opportunity to develop a program that replicates the success in other states while avoiding…
Read MoreStatement in response to Catholics for Choice campaign
On Monday, full-page advertisements ran in the San Antonio Express-News, the Houston Chronicle, and the Dallas Morning News from a Washington D.C.-based entity called Catholics for Choice. Despite what is implied by its name, Catholics for Choice is not a member-oriented organization and has no affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. Instead, it is financed…
Read MoreHelp stop predatory loan practices
In our charitable ministries we see the high cost of being broke every day. We hear the same stories of debt and despair throughout the state of Texas, where virtually no regulation means thousands of Texans are trapped in the never-ending payday and auto-title lending cycle of debt. Payday loans are marketed as short-term small…
Read MoreStay of execution granted for Jeff Wood
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has issued a stay of execution for Jeff Wood. Their action today prevents a gross miscarriage of justice. The public outcry against this execution illustrates broad agreement on the injustice and basic unfairness of the Texas law of parties.
Read MoreRobert Pruett granted stay; Jeff Wood’s case needs support
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals hasstayed the execution of Robert Pruett“pursuant to the appeal pending in the DNA case.” Pruett was scheduled to be executed on Aug. 23 despite significant doubts about the reliability of his conviction. Meanwhile, Jeff Wood, who has not ever killed another person, is still scheduled to die Aug. 24 for a…
Read MoreA call for justice
The state of Texas intends to kill two individuals within 24 hours on Aug. 23 and 24, 2016. In both cases, there are strong indicators that the defendants may be innocent. A gross misuse of justice does not serve the victims, our society or those who have been sentenced to death. Please consider joining the…
Read MoreBishop Mulvey to Duval Co. commissioners: let the people talk
On Monday, the Duval County Commissioners voted to begin contract negotiations with Serco, an Australian for-profit contractor, in order to submit to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a proposal for a family detention facility in San Diego. Monday’s hearing did not follow the proper hearing disclosure procedures. Duval County Judge Ricardo Carrillo said the hearing…
Read MoreProposed rules right long-time wrong
Last week the Department of State Health Services published long overdue draft rules for the humane and dignified disposition of human fetal remains. Support of these rules is something on which people on both sides of the fractious abortion debate can find common ground. Regardless of one’s definition — unborn babies, products of conception, fetuses,…
Read MoreTexas Bishops highly concerned with ruling that puts women at grave risk
AUSTIN — The US Supreme Court has decided, in a 5-3 decision, to strike down key provisions of Texas HB2, a law that protects women’s safety while seeking an abortion. The Texas State Legislature overwhelmingly approved HB2. The Texas Catholic Conference supported the passage of this pro-life law and submitted an Amicus brief to the…
Read MoreRethinking The Death Penalty Events Coming To The Texas Capitol In October
The public and moral consequences of capital punishment will be the subject of a one-day conference entitledJourney To Mercy – Rethinking The Death Penalty In Texasbeing jointly hosted by the Texas Catholic Conference on Friday, October 23, in the Texas Capitol in Austin. The conference is an opportunity to re-examine the state’s system of capital…
Read MoreCorpus Christi Passes New Law Regulating Payday and Auto-Title Lenders
Consumer advocates from across the state celebrated the Corpus Christi City Council’s passage of a payday and auto-title lending ordinance on August 11. Modeled on similar ordinances passed by 25 of the largest municipalities across the state, the Corpus Christi ordinance looks to “reducing abusive and predatory lending practices” by payday and auto title loan…
Read MoreCatholic Earth Day: Pope Calls For Day Of Prayer For Care Of Creation September 1
Pope Francis has issued a challenge for all Catholics to join in a first-ever "World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation" on September 1, 2015. This date will be marked by prayer and contemplation as Catholics are asked to consider how they might live in greater harmony with the environment. The call follows…
Read MorePope Calls For Change Of Attitude Towards Migrants, Refugees
By Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, Archdiocese of San Antonio The cry to end the imprisonment of refugee children and their young mothers in detention centers is written on the heart and soul of the Catholic Church and the Gospel. “Whatever you did for these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” I ask you, my sisters…
Read MoreFifth Undercover Planned Parenthood Video Exposes Houston Clinic
The controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood’s harvesting and distribution of organs and tissue from aborted fetuses has reached the Lone Star State. Newly released clandestine video by the Center for Medical Progress shows staff at a Houston clinic discussing the relationship between altering abortion procedures to obtain the most intact organs and their associated costs. The…
Read MoreParents Prepare Children To Head Back To Texas Catholic Schools
Over the next three weeks, more than 80,000 students will return to the 265 Catholic schools in Texas to start the 2015-2016 academic calendar. Anxiety tends to run high for both children and their parents at the beginning of every school year. However, the Texas Catholic Conference Department of Education has a few simple tips…
Read MoreTCC Statement On Federal And State Investigations Of Planned Parenthood
Texas’ Catholic Bishops have expressed deep concern and moral disgust at recent videos showing executives of Planned Parenthood Inc. casually negotiating the sale of infant body parts that have been harvested from abortions. The two undercover videos by the Center for Medical Progress has awakened national attention to the atrocity of dismembering infants and then…
Read MoreBishops’ Chairmen Renew Push To End Death Penalty
WASHINGTON—The bishops chairing two committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) renewed the bishops’ opposition to the death penalty in a message, July 16. The message commemorated the 10th anniversary of the bishops’ Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty and their accompanying message,“A Culture of Life and the Penalty…
Read MorePro-Life House Bill 3994 Signed Into Law By Governor Abbott
Pro-life leaders from across Texas, including representatives of the Texas Catholic Conference, joined Governor Greg Abbott on July 8, for the ceremonial signing into law of House Bill 3994. The new law tightens the legal process by which juveniles can get an abortion without parental notification or permission if they can convince a district court…
Read MoreUSCCB And Catholic Charities USA Unite In Support Of Second Chance Act
Citing the daunting financial, social, and physical and mental health challenges facing parolees re-entering society after prison, the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Catholic Charities USA are urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Second Chance Act (S. 1513) this session. This Second Chance Act would increase support for collaborative…
Read MoreTCC Statement On SCOTUS Ruling On Abortion Center Medical Standards
The Texas Catholic Conference expressed disappointment at the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to suspend enforcement of one of the country’s most effective measures for protecting women’s health and safety against a predatory abortion industry. The Texas law (part of 2013’s landmark HB 2) required abortion clinics meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers…
Read MoreReligious Freedom Vital To Our 21st Century World
By Most Rev. Michael J. Sis, Bishop of San Angelo Religious freedom is necessary for the health of a democratic society. However, it is being increasingly threatened around the world today, including in our own beloved country. The Fortnight for Freedom is being observed by Catholics in the U.S. from June 21 through July 4,…
Read MoreTexas Bishops Encourage Witnesses During Annual Fortnight For Freedom
For the third consecutive year, the bishops of Texas are joining their counterparts across the United States for the "Fortnight for Freedom". This 14-day period of prayer, penance, education, and action in defense of religious freedom opened on Sunday, June 21, 2015, and runs through the Fourth of July. The theme of this year’s observation…
Read MoreStatement By Texas Catholic Conference On HHS Mandate Ruling
The Texas Catholic Conference today expressed disappointment at the U.S. Fifth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals’ ruling Monday that would force religious institutions to violate their faith. Several Texas dioceses and churches have long objected to provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act that require religious employers to provide health insurance that covers contraceptives, sterilizations, and abortions unless…
Read MoreCatholic Mobilizing Network Rolls Out New Tools For Year Of Mercy
The Catholic Mobilizing Network has developed new educational resources to correspond with the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which will be celebrated by the Catholic Church from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016. These tools include updated materials on the death penalty, restorative justice, solitary confinement, and more. The Catholic Mobilizing Network works in close…
Read MoreUSCCB Chairmen Give Strong Support for the ‘First Amendment Defense Act’
WASHINGTON—Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, gave their strong support for the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), which is a federal…
Read MorePray for Charleston
ByMost Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin I, like many of you, was completely shocked by the act of violence in Charleston, S.C., at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Houses of worship should be places of comfort and peace. As people of God we abhor all acts of brutal…
Read MorePope Francis’ Sweeping EncyclicalCalls for Swift Action to Protect God’s Creation
The world has become captivated by Pope Francis’ much-awaited encyclical,Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, which is his appeal to dialogue between "every person living on this planet" to urgently address our environmental challenges to find the best care for “our common home.” In this encyclical, the Pontiff offers a hopeful vision of…
Read MoreBishops’ Efforts For Advance Directives Reform Signed Into Texas Law
With the stroke of his pen Governor Greg Abbott capped off several years of public advocacy by Texas Catholics with his signing House Bill 3074 into law. The measure requires the provision of artificial nutrition and hydration for patients who wish it, unless the provision of food and water causes harm to the patient. The…
Read MoreFederal Appeals Court Upholds Pro-Life House Bill 2
A three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously on June 9, 2015, to uphold the constitutionality of Texas’ pro-life law, House Bill 2, as applied almost entirely across the Lone Star State. InWhole Woman’s Health v. Lakey, three abortion providers and three abortion doctors challenged the 2013 bill passed overwhelmingly by…
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