Dear Parishioner
This week I will be away at the Annual Summer Meeting of the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors in Avon, Colorado. This meeting will be our first in-person gathering in two years, with almost forty states represented. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to interact with State Catholic Conference Directors. They advocate on public policy issues on behalf of the Church in nearly every statehouse in the nation. Also, it's a chance to get updated on public policy issues and advocacy strategies from colleagues and experts.
The meeting agenda includes advocacy strategies in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Like our R.I. statehouse, many statehouses have been closed to the public and in-person advocacy. Such closures to the public often present challenges due to the lack of personal interaction with elected officials. In addition, it means testimony is done remotely by phone or Zoom, leading to less effective advocacy.
Also to be discussed are the threats to religious liberty and the sanctity of human life. The U.S. Congress, with the support of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, is advancing an appropriations bill that eliminates the Hyde Amendment and other bipartisan provisions, including the Weldon Amendment. These provisions have ensured for over forty years that tax dollars cannot fund abortions. Eliminating these provisions would force taxpayers to pay for elective abortions and force health care providers and professionals to perform and refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as force employers and insurers to cover and pay for abortion.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, chairman of the USCCB’s Pro-Life Committee issued the following statement:
"This is the most extreme pro-abortion appropriations bill that we have seen, effectively mandating healthcare professionals to participate in abortion, and forcing American citizens to pay for abortion with their tax dollars. By eliminating the Hyde Amendment, and other Hyde-like policies, the financial fruits of Americans' labor would advance the destruction of the smallest, most vulnerable humans. Abortion is not healthcare nor a 'human service' to anyone. Rather, abortion is inhumane. Americans' tax dollars should be used for the common good and welfare of all, not to finance abortion or force Americans to violate deeply-held beliefs.”
There will also be a presentation on how the Church can more effectively support pregnant mothers, especially those who live in poverty. Additionally, the U.S.C.C.B. staff will offer updates on immigration reform and refugee resettlement programs, Catholic Education and school choice initiatives, and review Supreme Court cases.
We are lucky enough to have a fine young Dominican Friar, Father Justin Brophy, OP, speaking to the group. He is a Professor of Political Science at Providence College. He will speak on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on advocacy and politics in light of Fratelli Tutti, ("On Fraternity and Social Responsibility"), the third encyclical of Pope Francis pontificate. In this encyclical, the Holy Father suggests that the world response to the Covid-19 pandemic was a failure in global cooperation and he calls for more human fraternity and greater solidarity. He also pleas for a rejection of war.
Of course, the Rocky Mountains are sure to be quite spectacular. The three-day meeting includes free time to explore the area. It should be a fruitful time of valuable updates and information. It will be great to be with friends in person for the first time in two years!
Last weekend's heat and humidity didn't present a problem for our Church air conditioning as It seems to be working very well! Thank God! Also, we hope to have the bids for the Church door project funded by the capital campaign in the coming weeks. I will keep you posted as the project progresses.
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless. Enjoy the summer! Stay Cool! Go Sox!