Advocacy Needed on Life and Family Issues

faithfulinthe8th.blogspot.com/

• Pa Family.org, 2019 Election Center

• Call your [Pa State] Senator to oppose assisted suicide (Pa Pro Life Federation, 4/2/19)

• Please Urge Lawmakers to support an increase in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/26/19)

• Please urge your [Pa] Representative or Senator to support or co-sponsor Down Syndrome Protection Legislation (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/13/19) 

• Please ask your State Representative to Co-Sponsor the "Heart-Beat Bill" proposed by Stephanie Borowicz (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/11/19)

• Urge your State Senator to co-sponsor Sen. Judy Ward's bill on Keystone Scholarship Program (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/8/19)

• Urge your lawmakers to support [Pa] House Bill 51 which helps individuals looking to receive nursing care (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/4/19)

• [Pa] Lawmakers want to take away our right to vote for judges (Pa Pro Life Federation, 1/28/19 email)
• Action needed to oppose Pa HB 111 (4/24/19)
• HB 111 update (re: 4/29/19 Pa Pro Life email)

• NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed assisted suicide into NJ law. To express your outrage, Murphy can be reached at 609-292-6000 or https://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact."

• Ask Legislators to Increase Non Public School Funding (NJ Catholic Conference)

• Protect Viable [New Jersey] Babies in the Womb – Equal rights for children who can survive outside the womb (http://protectviablebabies.com/).

 

• Born-Alive Legislation Deserves a Vote in the People's House (USCCB) (HLA)
• The Discharge Petition to bring the Born Alive Survivors Protection Act to a vote in the House 
• Further Action Needed to Save Babies Born Alive! (USCCB)

• Support the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (USCCB)
  
• While Pennsylvania should be proud that Rep Mike Kelly is the primary sponsor of the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act in the House (HR 897), only two fellow Pennsylvanians (i.e., Schmucker and Reschenthaler) and one New Jersey representative (i.e., Smith) are joining him! No one from Pa or Jersey is a co-sponsor of S 274 in the Senate!

• Contact your senators and representative today and urge them to oppose the [so-called] Equality Act! (USCCB)
  • In the U.S. Senate, Robert Casey is a cosponsor of the so-called Equality Act (S.788), as are Booker and Menendez from New Jersey!
  • "If the [so-called] Equality Act reaches a full vote in either chamber of Congress, it will mark the first time the bill — which has been introduced in various forms since 1974 — has done so. A similar bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, passed the Senate in 2013. Four currently serving Republican senators voted in favor of that bill: Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Patrick Toomey, R-Pa." (NBCNews, 3/11/19).  
  • In the U.S. House, Brian Fitzpatrick is one of three Republican co-sponsors of the so-called Equality Act (H.R. 5).  

• Save the Hyde Amendment (March for Life Action)

• Life at Conception Act Petition (National Pro Life Alliance) 

• Contact your U.S. senators and representatives today and ask them to support the LIFT for Charities Act! (USCCB)

• "Senator Lindsay Graham...[has] introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a nationwide ban on abortion after 20 weeks....Senator Graham has introduced this bill or one similar every year since 2013. Although it has never received the 60 votes necessary for cloture, there is some hope that if enacted, it could now be upheld in an inevitable legal challenge due to the majority conservative Supreme Court (Live Action News, 4/11/19).
• I Cherish Life: I call on Congress to ban late term abortions when babies feel pain!(Family Policy Alliance)
  

• Tell the Senate to Reject Religion Tests for Judicial Nominees (USCCB)

• Ask the Department of Homeland Security to Rescind the "Remain in Mexico" Policy and Support Asylum Seekers by Following Existing Law (USCCB)  

• Stop Taxpayer Funding of Abortion (Click for Pa Pro Life Federation petition)

• Sign the Petition to Repeal the Abortion Law (NYS Catholic Conf)

• The New ERA....It Attacks Life and Women's Privacy -- Act Now to Stop It (Family Policy Alliance)

On the right side of the home page, you will find links to email Church leadership about "Catholic" health care, Bucks country representation in DC, Bucks County representation in Harrisburg, Central NJ representation in DC and Central NJ in Trenton.

"We Must Obey God Rather Than Men."

• re: Made for Love (MUR e-news) May 2019 
• re: USCCB Religious Freedom Newsletter
• Re: SEIA Newsletter - April 2019 

Re: SEIA Newsletter - April 2019

Ecumenical and Interreligious Newsletter

In today's world, we are constantly confronted with news and information. We are here to see that ecumenical and interreligious initiatives at the US Conference of Bishops and the broader Catholic world are brought to you. Today, we bring you the most recent updates from the previous month, including USCCB dialogues, Vatican news, and a spotlight on local initiatives through our partners at CADEIO (Catholic Associations of Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers). We welcome you to explore the following items of interest related to the Catholic bishops' mission to pursue Christian unity and mutual understanding with members of all faiths.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Releases Statement on Synagogue Shooting in Poway, CA
Rev. Walter Kedjierski of the Diocese of Rockville Centre Named USCCB SEIA Executive Director
Dialogue Debriefs: National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue; National Workshop on Christian Unity; Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Consultation in the USA
Pope Francis: "We must not be afraid of difference"
Hundreds Gather in Silver Spring, MD to Hold Interfaith Vigil for Sri Lankan Victims

Volume I | April 30 2019 Ecumenical and Interreligious Newsletter In today's world, we are constantly confronted with news and information. We are here to see that ecumenical and interreligious initiatives at the US Conference of Bishops and the broader Catholic world are brought to you. Today, we bring you the most recent updates from the previous month, including USCCB dialogues, Vatican news, and a spotlight on local initiatives through our partners at CADEIO (Catholic Associations of Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers). We welcome you to explore the following items of interest related to the Catholic bishops' mission to pursue Christian unity and mutual understanding with members of all faiths.  EIA Updates Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Releases Statement on Synagogue Shooting in Poway, CA Rev. Walter Kedjierski of the Diocese of Rockville Centre Named USCCB SEIA Executive Director Dialogue Debriefs: National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue; National Workshop on Christian Unity; Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Consultation in the USA News from Rome Pope Francis in Morocco: Religion builds bridges Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI Appeal for Jerusalem as the Holy City Pope Francis Addresses the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Morocco Pope Francis: "We must not be afraid of difference" Local Spotlight Hundreds Gather in Silver Spring, MD to Hold Interfaith Vigil for Sri Lankan Victims If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, contact our office at: seiareceptionist@usccb.org Visit our Website

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re: Made for Love (MUR e-news) May 2019

May 2019 May 2019 Continuing the U.S. Bishops' work of promoting and defending marriage. Visit our Website Made for Love Podcast Last month's "Made for Love" topics were: -- When it's All Too Much: Suicide and the Family Catholic families are not immune from tragedy. Made for Love addresses the heartbreaking reality of suicide. The episode features Chris Miller, Tommy Tighe, and Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE.  -- A Friend is Another Self There are quotes galore on the joys of friends, and what they bring to our lives. They are "the family we choose for ourselves," for example. How can a Catholic better learn and live the virtues required to be a good friend? How can married couples cultivate friendships, both as individuals and as a couple? This episode features Bishop Caggiano of Bridgeport, Fr. Paul Scalia, Dr. John Cuddeback, James and Danielle Dill, and Mary Warren. In May, Made for Love will have two episodes exploring the experiences and challenges of being an adult child of divorce. Bishop Olmsted at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast The National Catholic Prayer Breakfast was held in Washington, D.C. on April 23, 2019. Bishop Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix spoke on the need for Catholics to continue to preach the good news of God's plan for marriage and the family. He spoke about gender ideology, among other topics, noting, "Any rejection of bodiliness will immediately target two beautiful but demanding and sometimes inconvenient realities: marriage and the child."  Read his full address here. The USCCB Opposes the Equality Act On March 13th, Democrats in both houses of Congress reintroduced the "Equality Act." This legislation would redefine "sex" in federal law to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," and insert it throughout nondiscrimination and civil rights laws. This is a priority of the Democrats and, for the first time after years of introductions, is likely to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives; but it poses many problems, especially for women and girls, healthcare providers, and religious charities, which were elaborated upon in a letter sent by USCCB chairmen on March 20th. The bishops wrote, in part: "Rather than offering meaningful protections for individuals, however, the Equality Act would impose sweeping regulations to the detriment of society as a whole." Here is the media release about the USCCB's opposition.  USCCB Action Center All the USCCB's action alerts for legislative priorities are available at one website. There you can contact your representatives and make your voice heard. Check it out! Legal/ Policy Updates U.S. Supreme Court – On April 22, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear three long-awaited cases to determine whether the word "sex" in Title VII employment anti-discrimination law includes "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." The cases will be decided next term. Equality Act – The House of Representatives is moving full steam ahead with its "Equality Act" (H.R. 5) to insert "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" into all manner of public life via federal nondiscrimination laws, while shrinking long-standing religious protections. Two hearings on the bill were held last month, in the Judiciary Committee on April 2 and in the Education & Labor subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services on April 9. Military Update – On April 12, with the Supreme Court having earlier cleared away lower courts' injunctions pending further appeals, the US military's renewed prohibition on service outside of birth sex went into effect, at least temporarily. Adoption and Foster Care – St. Vincent Catholic Charities in Michigan sued state and federal governments on April 15 to save its foster care and adoption services after the new governor abandoned a state law protecting faith-based providers and began to work against them. In Philadelphia on April 22, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled against Catholic Social Services whose foster care work the city has effectively shut down for not working with same-sex couples.

re: USCCB Religious Freedom Newsletter

Non datur libertas sine veritate. Vol. V, No. 3 Dear sisters and brothers, May the peace of the Risen Christ be with you! In the earliest days of Holy Week, we watched in horror as the roof of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was engulfed in flames. That horror was far surpassed by the Easter terror attacks on our Christian brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. Indeed, in many parts of the world, Christians deal with the threat of violent persecution on a daily basis, while we in Europe and North America face an increasingly intolerant secularism, which threatens our ministries and institutions. These challenges remind us of the importance of religious freedom for civic peace and the common good. Religious Freedom Week, June 22-29, is a time when all of us can take a few moments to promote our first freedom through prayer and action. In the midst of our trials, we must look to Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Our Lord strengthens us as we work together to bear witness to the kingdom of God. With prayerful best wishes, I am Sincerely yours in the Lord, Most Reverend Joseph Kurtz Archbishop of Louisville Chair, Committee for Religious Liberty 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.  Find out more at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek! President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Issues Statement on Terrorist Attacks at Multiple Churches and Hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday (CNS Photo/Paul Haring) This evil cannot overcome the hope found in our Savior's Resurrection. May the God of hope who has raised his Son, fill all hearts with the desire for peace. Read more. Broad Coalition of Faith Leaders Urge Trump and Other U.S. Leaders to Uphold Religious Liberty In an April 4 letter, more than 140 religious leaders, including the chairmen of three U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' committees, called on President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and congressional leaders to uphold principles of religious freedom following a series of attacks on people of faith, clergy and houses of worship. Full text and signatories Urge Lawmakers to Oppose the So-Called Equality Act! (CNS Photo/Tyler Orsburn) 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! God's Servant First: Freedom of the Church and the Equality Act By Aaron M. Weldon Part of the push for the Equality Act is driven by a real sense of compassion for people who have been victims of unjust discrimination.  But the Act threatens the freedom of the Church to engage in her mission. Many Catholic institutions would not survive the Equality Act. Read more. First Freedom Podcast On Episode 24, USCCB staffers Mary McClusky, Todd Scribner, and Aaron Weldon talk about polarization in the Church.  Check it out! Action Alerts 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! 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! Follow us on Twitter! For up-to-date religious freedom news, follow @USCCBFreedom today! www.usccb.org/freedom