"Efforts directed to restoring legal protection to the lives of unborn children and those vulnerable to pressures to end their lives by assisted suicide, and to providing morally acceptable alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide."
ACTION ALERT: Stop the Cuomo Abortion Expansion Bill
The Reproductive Health Act
The Top 10 Reasons to Oppose Governor Cuomo's Abortion Expansion Plan
U.S. BISHOPS CALL FOR ‘NINE DAYS OF PRAYER, PENANCE AND PILGRIMAGE’ SURROUNDING 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. WADE
- Cardinal Dolan's March 2012 speech on Catholics and public policy
almost an hour long, but worth the watch
- NYS Bishop's statement on "Pastors, Parishes and Political Responsibility"
- Lengthier guidance from the USCCB
- Kathy Gallagher's latest Respect Life blog
New Religious Liberty Bulletin Inserts for June 2012
HHS Bulletin Insert Cover Memo
USCCB Conscience Bulletin Insert (English/Spanish)
Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb now available
WASHINGTON—Following Vatican approval, the “Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb” is now available for use by dioceses in the United States. The text of the blessing is posted online and is being published as a booklet addendum to the Book of Blessings/Bendicional. The blessing will be included in future editions of those liturgical volumes... MORE
Messages to HHS and Congress
Dear Friends,
Please click on the link below to send messages to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Congress telling them to stand up for religious liberty and conscience rights.
On February 10, the Administration adopted as a final rule “without change” a mandate requiring almost all private health plans under the new health care law to include sterilization, all FDA-approved birth control (such as the IUD, Depo-Provera, ‘morning-after’ pills, and the abortion-inducing drug Ella), and “education and counseling” to promote these to all “women of reproductive capacity.” ...more
Bishops Issue Call to Action to Defend Religious Liberty
Urge strong lay involvement
Outline threats to First Freedom at all levels of government and abroad
Call upon dioceses to pursue religious liberty fortnight, June 21-July 4
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. bishops have issued a call to action to defend religious liberty and urged laity to work to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights. They outlined their position in "Our First, Most Cherished Freedom." The document was develped by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), approved for publication by the USCCB Administrative Committee March 13, and published in English and Spanish April 12.... more
Cardinal Urges Senate Support of "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act"
Bishops' Pro-Life Official Hails House Passage of "Protect Life Act"
Bishops reaffirm Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship as guiding teaching in political life
New Institute of Medicine Report on "Preventive Services for Women"
Attached are items I hope you will find useful in more fully understanding this serious issue, addressing media inquiries and other opportunities to comment, and communicating with your elected representatives:
- PDF version of Cardinal DiNardo's statement.
- New "Q and A" fact sheet on this issue, particularly on the threat to rights of conscience.
- Our new letter to Congress endorsing Rep. Fortenberry's HR 1179, to address such conscience problems arising from the health care reform act.
- One-pager from Rep. Fortenberry's office explaining the bill.
Also, here are live links to further background material available online:
Please implement the NCHLA alert urging members of Congress to support HR 1179; House members can be urged to co-sponsor the current bill, and Senators can be urged to help introduce a Senate version. We are also encouraging the writers of op-eds and blogs concerned about this issue, especially about its religious freedom implications, to join the public debate.
Statement of the Bishops of New York State ... more
House to Vote Soon on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act! Take Action NOW!!
STOP the Extreme Abortion Bill: Act Now!
USCCB PRO-LIFE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ISSUES STATEMENT FOR RESPECT LIFE MONTH
Cardinal DiNardo calls for awareness, prayer, healing and action in defense of life
Worldwide ‘Vigil for All Nascent Human Life’ set for November 27
WASHINGTON (September 28, 2010)—In a statement to mark Respect Life Month, October 2010, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston addressed direct threats to human life and called Catholics to “constantly witness to the inestimable worth and dignity of each human life through a loving concern for the good of others.” He also encouraged participation in the worldwide “Vigil for All Nascent Human Life” called for by Pope Benedict XVI at the start of Advent.
Cardinal DiNardo chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). MORE . . .
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Tom Grenchik, Executive Director
Susan Wills, Assistant Director for Education & Outreach
USCCB: The mission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is to support the ministry of bishops with an emphasis on evangelization, by which the bishops exercise in a communal and collegial manner certain pastoral functions entrusted to them by the Lord Jesus of sanctifying, teaching, and governing. For more information visit www.usccb.org
The Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities: The Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, under the guidance and direction of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, works to teach respect for all human life from conception to natural death, and organize for its protection. We proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence. For more information visit http://www.usccb.org/prolife
U.S. Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities
National Conference - USCCB: Purpose to educate on current human life issues
NEW YORK STATE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
The mission of the New York State Catholic Conference is to identify, formulate and implement the public policy objectives of the Catholic Bishops of New York State. As one body, the Conference provides a unified voice and the means for joint action through which the eight Catholic dioceses in the 58-county state can impact the development of public policies in the areas of health, education, welfare, human and civil rights. MORE
The NYSCC Pro-Life Director’s meet 6 times in Albany,
state’s capital by NYS Pro-Life Director Kathleen Gallagher
New York State Catholic Conference
Writing Public Officials - ongoing
Distributing Legislative Alerts
For more information visit: www.nyscatholic.org
CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK
Join with thousands of others to work for justice in society and promote the values important to our faith. Through the Catholic Advocacy Network, you can stay informed about important issues and strengthen the Catholic voice. For more information visit: www.capwiz.com/nyscatholicconference
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Capitol Compass is a printable version of the Catholic Conference newsletter. It is published monthly from February to June by the NYS Catholic Conference. For more information visit:
www.nyscatholic.org