Texas Catholic Voice April 2026
In this issue:
- Clarification on church teaching regarding war
- TEFA award notifications begin April 17
- Proposed Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule on mixed-status families
- Fair lending conversation in College Station
- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
- And more!
A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director
Considering recent public comments regarding the Catholic Church’s teaching on war and peace, Bishop James Massa, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, issued the following statement:
“For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2308). That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’
“When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars.”
Call for peace
The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its second month. Even though both sides have agreed to a temporary ceasefire, the threat of increased military action and humanitarian disaster remains. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, continues to call all people to work for a “peaceful coexistence founded on justice.” Take up Pope Leo’s call for peace by contacting your elected leaders in Congress; ask them to urge the Trump Administration to remain committed to dialogue and peace.
Urge your Representative and Senators to publicly support de-escalation and diplomacy that avoids further destruction and bloodshed, oppose actions that expand the war, and prioritize protection of civilians and humanitarian relief.
TEFA award announcements coming soon
The student application period for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program closed at midnight on March 31st with 274,183 applicants.
According to the comptroller’s office, nearly 75% of applications are in one of the three top priority groups established by Senate Bill 2:
- 12 percent of students are in the top priority tier for students with disabilities and household incomes below 500 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that means annual income below $165,000.
- 31 percent are in the second priority tier for students with household incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
- 30 percent are in the third priority tier for students with household incomes between 200 and 500 percent of the federal poverty level.
After April 17, TEFA applicants will be notified if they have been awarded a TEFA account and, if so, which tier they have been placed in. If the applicant isn't awarded a TEFA account they will be placed on a waitlist.
With 274,183 applicants for the approximately 70,000 accounts receiving the $1 billion appropriated, a lottery will determine funding for eligible students. Applicants in the Tier 1 category (children with disabilities and their siblings whose household income falls under 500% of the poverty line) are likely to receive funding. The lottery will determine which families below 200% of the federal poverty line (i.e., families of four earning less than $64,300 annually without any documented disability) will receive funding.
The Texas Tribune reported, “Several Muslim families and Islamic schools sued state leaders over their exclusion from the voucher program, alleging religious discrimination. The two lawsuits, which were recently consolidated, ask the court to require the comptroller to accept all Islamic schools that meet program requirements. It also seeks to prevent the state from delaying or denying schools’ approval based on religious identity or unsubstantiated allegations.”
For general TEFA updates, go to: https://txcatholic.org/efa/
Osman appointed to Dicastery for Communications
Congratulations to Helen Osman, who has served as our communications consultant since 2016, as the Holy Father has appointed her as a member of the Dicastery for Communications. In this role she will offer insights and assistance to those who provide communications support to Pope Leo XIV and his curia.
Tell HUD to preserve housing assistance for mixed-status families
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently issued a proposed rule that aims to ensure only eligible individuals are receiving benefits in certain affordable housing programs. It specifically targets “mixed-status families” – families with at least one citizen or qualified immigrant and at least one person who is not qualified for assistance.
As a result of these changes, 20,000 mixed-status households currently receiving assistance will have to make the heartbreaking choice between enduring family separation so that eligible members can continue to qualify for critical subsidized housing programs or forfeiting their housing assistance, so they can stay together. These families include nearly 36,000 children who are eligible to receive assistance. The proposed rule also includes new documentation requirements for people already receiving housing assistance in these programs, including U.S. citizens and seniors. If an individual is unable to produce the newly required documents, they will lose their housing assistance. The influx of increased need derived from the impact of this proposed rule would put a strain on services for those experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The rule would have grave consequences for families, vulnerable communities, and the organizations that serve them.
Tell HUD to withdraw the rule so that housing assistance will be preserved for mixed-status families.
Bishops urge administration to extend commitments on life to all vulnerable mothers, infants, and children in the womb
Reports detailing harmful conditions faced by pregnant and postpartum mothers detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have become more frequent, despite existing policy that discourages the arrest and detention of such women in most cases.
In response to these reports, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, wrote to recently confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Mr. Todd Lyons, senior official performing the duties of the Director at ICE.
The two bishops urged ICE to abide consistently by its existing policy, avoiding the arrest and detention of pregnant and postpartum mothers, absent exceptional circumstances. They went on to state:
“No matter one’s immigration status, there is no overarching justification for separating nursing infants from their mothers or endangering the health and safety of pregnant women or their preborn babies. In this regard, we urge you in the strongest possible terms to extend the Administration’s commitments on life to all vulnerable mothers, infants, and children in the womb.”
The bishops also took the opportunity to congratulate the Secretary on his confirmation and assured him of their prayers as he continues his service to the country.
Their letter follows a joint statement made last May by Bishop Thomas and Bishop Cahill’s predecessor on pregnant and postpartum mothers and infants in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody, as well as a statement by Bishop Thomas in January, welcoming pro-life actions taken by the Administration.
Fair lending lunch and learn in College Station
A community conversation on financial well-being, to discuss practical solutions for families facing serious financial challenges due to high interest payday loans, is being held May 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the College Sation City Hall, Bush Room, 1101 Texas Ave., College Station. This is hosted by the Brazos Valley Affordable Housing Corporation in partnership with the Texas Fair Lending Alliance. Please consider using the attached graphic to promote this event.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
This month, we are reminded:
- One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
- Most child abuse incidents are drug and alcohol related.
- Within one year of aging out of the foster care system, 66% of victims will be homeless, in jail or dead.
- More than 100,000 children are waiting for adoption in the United States.
On April 26, National Blue Sunday Day of Prayer for Abused Children, we are asked to pray for children in need of healing, hope and people to care for them.
Upcoming executions
- James Broadnax, April 30, 2026
- Edward Busby, May 14, 2026
We pray for the victims of violence and their loved ones, for those on death row and for an end to the death penalty.
Texas’ highest criminal court overturns sentence of inmate who has been on death row for 47 years
Pray with Pope Leo
For priests in crisis
Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.