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 – … Read more

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 … Read more

Governmental policy and legislation report No. 20

Do no harm. The Biden administration has proposed regulations under the Affordable Care Act which will interfere with health care services provided by Catholic organizations and other faith based ministries. See the flyer that can share the alert.  Ask the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to act in a way that provides non-discriminatory … Read more

Governmental policy and legislation report No. 19

Pray with Pope Francis. Every month, Pope Francis asks prayers for a specific intention. The Georgia Catholic Conference in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Disabilities Ministry and Georgia Catholics Against the Death Penalty has supported bills in the Georgia General Assembly to end the death penalty in Georgia or, at least, restrict its application. See for … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

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 … Read more