None of us - neither laity nor clergy - should fear sharing the light that the Church brings to the darkness of our time. We should not be afraid to share alerts from the USCCB* and/or the Pa Catholic Conference from the pulpit, in parish bulletins, and on parish bulletin boards....Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?
Christ Jesus it is who died or, rather, was raised—
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us. (Rom 8: 31b-34)
The USCCB* and/or the Pa Catholic Conference facilitate requests for leaders in Washington, to....
- Oppose the so-called Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act (S 2578)
- Support the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (S 946)
- Support the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (HR 940).
- Support the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act
- Support the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36).
- Support "just and compassionate immigration reform" (Tell Pres. Obama to Oppose use of "family detention." Ask our member of the U.S. House to Support “a path to citizenship and to oppose repealing or undoing laws that protect vulnerable children, families and refugees.”)
- Support the Marriage Protection Amendment (HJ Res 32). In light of Archbishop Cordileone's support of a Marriage Protection Amendment in the last Congress, it is anticipated that there will soon be a USCCB alert for a Marriage Amendment.. Until then, you can use http://www.capwiz.com/nationformarriage/issues/alert/?alertid=63432731
- Support the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act. In light of the USCCB's past support, it is anticipated that there will soon be a USCCB alert for the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act. Until then, you can use: http://www.capwiz.com/nationformarriage/issues/alert/?alertid=64032671&type=CO
- Support the State Marriage Defense Act of 2015 (HR 824, S 435). – In light of Archbishop Cordileone strong letters of support to the House and Senate, it is anticipated that there will soon be an alert for HR 824/ S 435. Let us not hesitate to tell Rep. Fitzpatrick, Sen. Casey, and Sen. Toomey that co-sponsorship / support of the State Marriage Defense Act is imperative!
"The March for Marriage is set for Saturday, April 25th [at 10 a.m, near the Capital in DC] which is within days of when the Supreme Court is expected to hear oral argument on the cases before them that will decide the legal status of marriage. This case could prove to be the Roe of marriage, or it could be a great win for us" (Brian Brown, National Organization for Marriage).If the Archdiocese does not organize buses to the March (It has done so for the first two Marches. Keep an eye on www.phillycatholiclife.org.), keep in mind that Amtrak can take you from Trenton to DC's Union Station in 2.5 hours (about $52, each way).
*In addition to "ALERTS CENTRAL" the USCCB notes that "Action alerts for pro-life issues can also be found through our partner organization, the National Committee for the Human Life Amendment" and "Action alerts for issues related to immigration reform can be found through the USCCB-led Catholic coalition, Justice for Immigrants."
On a state level, the Pa Catholic Conference facilitates requests for our leaders in Harrisburg, to....
- Support equal education funding
- Oppose the death penalty (Thank the governor for the death penalty moratorium.)
- Oppose HB 300 / SB 300 (As the Pa Catholic Conference explains, “In other states, this law has shuttered Catholic adoption agencies and trampled religious liberty….Simply put, this legislation is intolerant and prejudiced against people of faith.")
- "Urge Your State Lawmakers Not to Co-Sponsor Assisted Suicide Bills" (i.e., Rep. Mark Rozzi's so-called CARE Act and Senator Daylin Leach's so-called Death with Dignity Act).
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