The Georgia Catholic Conference represents the Catholic bishops of Georgia as their advocate and lobbyist with Georgia State legislative bodies in matters related to the Church and to Catholic teaching.
Archbishop Gregory and all Georgia Bishops have asked that periodically update on current issues to be posted here as needed.
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END OF SESSION LEGISLATIVE REPORT No. 9 FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
April 4, 2024 The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 8
March 21, 2024 The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 7
March 14, 2024 The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 6
March 7, 2024 The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 5
February 29, 2024 The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 4
February 21, 2024 The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 3
February 8, 2024 The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 2
The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and interest of the…
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE No. 1
The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and interest of the…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 22
Sister Norma has no intention of stopping her ministry at the border. Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J., the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville, TX, and Sister Donna Markham, O.P., the president and C.E.O. of Catholic Charities USA, have become the targets for the anger of anti-migrant forces near the Texas –…
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Governmental policy and legislation report no. 21
Pope Francis continues to support migrants throughout the world. For the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis called on everyone to work together to build a more inclusive and fraternal future. “Migrants are to be welcomed, accompanied, supported and integrated,” he said on Sept. 25. The ground under DACA continues to shift. The…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 18
What happens after the Dobbs decision? More than a month has passed since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson overturned Roe v. Wade and held that there was no federal constitutional right to abortion. The Court returned to state governments the right to regulate abortion. Although Catholic leaders joined many others in applauding…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 17
Reflections on an immersion experience. Anyone who has not traveled the road of asylum seekers cannot appreciate the emotions that arise. An advocacy attorney for Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) chose to accompany a group of seekers led by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and the Columban Mission Center. Read Elnora Bassey’s…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 16
U.S. Supreme Court opinions. The United States Supreme Court has issued several opinions that are significant to the Church and its people. Each of these cases will have an impact and they will all affect legislation at the federal and state level in the coming years. Dobbs v. Jackson health system overturned Roe v. Wade,…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 15
DACA was intended as temporary. When the Obama administration adopted the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) program in 2012, it was intended as a temporary program to defer deportation of young people who had been brought to the United States as children. Unfortunately, despite various proposals, there has been no permanent legislative help for these…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 14
Congratulations to Cardinal-Elect Robert McElroy. As bishop of San Diego, Cardinal-elect McElroy is responsible for a diocese which serves many of the immigrants passing through from Mexico. Read more here. Did you know that CLINIC has a state and local immigration project? Most law related to immigration is federal in nature, but there are important…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 13
Pray for the children. We all grieve for the children and adults killed in Texas last week. There are no words that are adequate. Watch Archbishop Hartmayer’s homily regarding his tragedy and stay to pray the Franciscan litany for peace at the end of the homily. Pope Francis prays and calls for action on guns.…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 12
When will the Supreme Court issue the final opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Care Organization? Speculation continues as to when the final order will be issued in the case that may reverse Roe v. Wade. The short answer is that no one outside the court knows for sure. We know that the court…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 11
Topics included in this report: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Care Organization, Ukraine Catholic Update, USCIS temporary final rule
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.10
“Immigration reform and the church’s voice” is a new report out now from USCCB Migration and Refugee Services that highlights some of the challenges confronting efforts to bring about positive immigration reform and the church’s effort to bring meaningful reform. Read the report here. Ukraine updates Justice for Immigrants maintains a frequently updated resource page…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.9
Blessed and happy Easter to all as we continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and other areas experiencing armed conflict around the world. Welcoming and protecting refugees. The world is experiencing rapidly increasing numbers of refugees. In the media, they may be portrayed as criminals, terrorists and worse, but through Christian eyes, they are…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.8
Keep Ukraine in your prayers. Read the stories of seven who fled and visit http://justiceforimmigrants.org/Ukraine/ for all the latest information today! The Georgia General Assembly completed its 2022 session on April 4. Below are significant results from that 40 day session. Bills that have passed can be vetoed by the Governor within forty days from…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.7
Above all, pray for Ukraine. Pope Francis invited all bishops and all the faithful to “solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine” to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Georgia General Assembly is now approaching its final full week of the 2022 session and still anticipates April 4…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.6
The Georgia General Assembly continues to work through its agenda with some bills advancing, some bills changing and some bills falling by the wayside. “Cross-over Day is March 11 and last day of session (“sine die”) is April 4. Restrictions on Chemical Abortions. SB 456 has passed the Senate and moves to the House for…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 5
Congratulations to Bishop-designate Jacques Fabre, C.S. Read more about the new bishop of Charleston, SC, particularly his service in Georgia. Bishop-designate Fabre is a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles – known as Scalabrinians – an international community of religious serving migrants and refugees of different cultures, religions and ethnicities in…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.4
Restrictions on chemical abortions. SB 456 (formerly identified as SB 315) imposes restrictions on the use of abortion-inducing drugs which may now be administered without professional medical supervision. The bill would require that a qualified physician examine the pregnant woman in person. No abortion pills or chemical could be delivered by courier, delivery or mail…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.3
How to help refugees from Afghanistan. Catholic Charities Atlanta is actively engaged in resettling refugees from Afghanistan. Resettlement needs include financial contribution, donations of household items and volunteers. Get more information here. Also, read the Justice for Immigrants resource page for up to date information.Religious worker application backlog. Religious workers from other countries can enter…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No. 2
Human trafficking and COVID. Human trafficking is still with us and only made worse by the COVID pandemic. Learn about the impact of COVID on human trafficking in a free webinar offered by Catholic Hospital Association, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking. Register for Wednesday, February…
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Governmental policy and legislation report No.1
Welcome to change. The focus of this report over the last several years has been public policy changes and advocacy directly related to our immigrant and refugee brothers and sisters. It is now time to broaden our focus and report on governmental policy and legislation that affect the common good of all, including immigrants, refugees…