Issues
TCCB 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…
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