Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops encouraged by passage of SB 25
New bill prevents “wrongful birth” lawsuits and respects all human life AUSTIN — The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is encouraged by passage of Senate Bill 25 from the Senate today. “The Texas Senate’s passage of SB 25 is a great step toward the State of Texas ensuring that parents can no longer file a…
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 MoreEl Paso superintendent job opening
If you are an experienced educator who has qualities to be a Superintendent – or who is one now – the Diocese of El Paso offers an exceptional opportunity and challenge. The Diocese is located in the far west city of El Paso, Texas, which has been named the Safest City in the US. The Superintendent…
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 MoreFrom the Archives: Texas Catholic history journal established
March 4–On this day in 1987, the Journal of Texas Catholic History and Culture came into being when the president of the society, Patrick Foley, urged the membership to establish such a publication. Shortly after that, an editorial board was formed with Foley as editor of the new periodical. At its first official meeting, the…
Read MoreUS Catholic bishops affirm issues around gender identity are best resolved locally
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued two statements regarding the federal government’s guidance on requiring schools to treat “a student’s gender identity as the student’s sex.” Recognizing the complexity of this discussion, the bishops recommend that decisions be made on the local level, in accord with President Trump’s withdrawal of earlier guidance by the…
Read MoreBishop Vásquez: New Executive Order still leaves many innocent lives at risk
Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin and Chair of the USCCB Committee on Migration, says that President Trump’s latest Executive Order still puts vulnerable populations around the world at risk. In a statement issued after today’s announcement of travel suspension, Bishop Vásquez says that while we seek to maintain our values and safety, we must also exercise…
Read MoreFrom the Archives: first bishop of Galveston born in France
February 25–On this day in 1800, Jean Marie Odin was born in Hauteville, France. While a student at a Sulpician seminary in Lyon, he volunteered to serve in the American Diocese of Louisiana and the Floridas. After arriving at New Orleans in 1822, Odin continued his religious education at a seminary in Missouri, where he…
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…
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