Urge lawmakers to oppose the Equality Act! (USCCB, 3/28/19)

On Mar 28, 2019 2:04 PM, USCCB Religious Liberty <usccbweb@usccb.org> wrote:

Free to Serve: March 2019 Newsletter

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Non datur libertas sine veritate. Vol. V, No. 2 Dear brothers and sisters,   May the blessings of this holy season of Lent be with you!   In recent weeks, the Speaker of the House has made the so-called Equality Act a top priority for Congress. I am deeply concerned about this legislation.  Bishop Frank Dewane, Bishop James Conley, and I sent a letter to congressional leaders laying out our concerns . We agree in opposing unjust discrimination. The Church must uphold the dignity of each and every human being. But the Equality Act is a blunt instrument that would have devastating effects on the Church's ministries, on religious liberty, and on legal protections for women. I urge you to join me in calling on lawmakers to oppose this misguided legislation.   As we approach Easter, may we be strengthened by our hope in the Lord who makes all things new.   With prayerful best wishes, I am Sincerely yours in the Lord, Most Reverend Joseph Kurtz Archbishop of Louisville Chair, Committee for Religious Liberty Archbishop Kurtz, Bishop Dewane, and Bishop Conley Announce Opposition to Equality Act in Letter to Congress (CNS Photo/Tyler Orsburn) Rather than offering meaningful protections for individuals, however, the Equality Act would impose sweeping regulations to the detriment of society as a whole.  Read more. Urge Lawmakers to Oppose the So-Called Equality Act! The designers of the Equality Act claim that this legislation protects people from discrimination.  In reality, the Equality Act retracts religious freedom, endangers privacy, regulates speech, hinders quality health care, and threatens charitable organizations and those whom they serve. Contact your senators and representative today and urge them to oppose the Equality Act! Diverse Faith Leaders and Religious Nonprofits Renew Call to Repeal the "Parking Lot Tax" (CNS Photo/Tyler Orsburn) This provision effectively creates an income tax on churches for the first time in U.S. history.  We urge Congress to swiftly pass a bipartisan, full repeal of Section 512(a)(7) before taxes are due this year.  Read more. Urge Lawmakers to Support the LIFT for Charities Act! The Lessening Impediments From Taxes (LIFT) for Charities Act of 2019 (H.R. 1545/S. 632) is bipartisan legislation that would repeal Internal Revenue Code Section 512(a)(7), more commonly known as the "parking lot tax."  Contact your senators and representative today and ask them to support the LIFT for Charities Act! More Action Action Alerts Tell the Senate to reject religious tests for judicial nominees!   Recent nominees to the federal judiciary have endured pointed questions about their faith during confirmation hearings and in written questionnaires.  It is time for these discriminatory, anti-Catholic questions to stop.  Contact your senators today! Support the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act The federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (H.R. 897 / S. 274) would prevent government discrimination against faith-based child welfare service providers, including adoption and foster care agencies.  Contact your senators and representative today and ask them to co-sponsor and support the federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act! New Video!  Religious Freedom Week 2019 - Strength in Hope Religious Freedom Week takes place June 22 - 29.   In the face of our country's challenges, and challenges within the Church herself, Catholics find strength in the hope of Jesus Christ. We want to share that hope with everyone.  Check it out! God's Servant First: Religious Freedom: The Mission of Our Latter-Day Francis By Dan Philpott In early February, Pope Francis became the first pope to travel to the Arabian Peninsula, where he visited Abu Dhabi. Friendship between Catholics and Muslims was the purpose of the voyage. The Vatican announced the theme, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," evoking St. Francis of Assisi's journey to Egypt and his encounter with the Sultan. Legend has it that Francis sought and failed to convert the Sultan and ended up conducting a dialogue with him.  Read more. First Freedom Podcast Episode 22 - Dan Philpott talks with us about his book on religious liberty in the Muslim world. Episode 23 - USCCB Acting Director of Government Relations, Lauren McCormack, talks about hope and advocacy on Capitol Hill in 2019. Follow us on Twitter! For up-to-date religious freedom news, follow @USCCBFreedom today! www.usccb.org/freedom