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“In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.”
– Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, U.S. Catholic Bishops (November 2007)
News & Events 2012
General Assembly 2012 is in regular session through March 10th.
See the Conference's 2012 Legislative Agenda.
Catholic Advocacy Day
Catholic Advocacy Day in Richmond is Thursday, January 26, 2012, Time is running out to register online. SIgn up now and join our Bishops and other Catholics from around the state and advocate for the protection of life, the poor, immigrants, marriage, parental choice in education, religious freedom and other critical issues. See the issue sheets (also in Spanish). Get more details about advocacy day (also in Spanish). New this year: bus transportation from Roanoke, Charlottesville, as well as the Tidewater and Northern Virginia!
School Choice Rally at the State Capitol
Join the Conference, the Family Foundation, and others to rally for parental choice in education. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 11 AM - noon. Gov. Bob McDonnell is keynote speaker.See details.
U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Contraceptive Mandate
Bishops decry ruling that mandates most Catholic organizations provide contraception, sterilization and abortifacient coverage. Says USCCB President, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, ruling means, in effect, "we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences." See the Bishops' statement.
A Closer Look at Some Issues
Support Ethical Stem Cell Research-- Ban LIfe Destroying Research
This session, Virginia should pave the way to a robust biotech sector by supporting ethical medical research and banning that which destroys human lives. Here's the truth about stem cell research: lives have already been saved, and cures and treatments discovered through adult ---not embryonic---stem cell research. Act now to urge a ban on embryonic stem cell research.
Further reading:
- USCCB: Adult Stem Cells proven therapeutic success
- USCCB: "Practical Problems with Embryonic Stem Cell Research"
- Former DIrector of NIH: "Why Embryonic Stem Cells are Obsolete"
- "Dolly" scientist urges researchers to abandon embryonic research
- Geron shuts down world's first embryonic stem cell trials
- Stem cell scorecard
Stop Death Penalty Expansion
In A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death, the U.S. Catholic Bishops state that, "no matter how heinous the crime, if society can protect itself without ending a human life, it should do so." In Virginia, the availability of life-without-parole sentences and maximum security prisons make the use of the death penalty unnecessary and unjustified in our time and place. Ask your Senator to oppose a bill expanding use of the death penalty now. Take action here.
Lowering Economic Barriers to Education
Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit would enable more parents to select the best school for their child.
Stay tuned to learn more about the issues in the upcoming General Assembly Session.
Join Us!
The Virginia Catholic Conference E-mail Advocacy Network is for parishioners, Catholic school parents, and others interested in advocacy based on Catholic social teaching. Learn more and join.