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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)
Critical Alert: threat to religious liberty
The Truth about HHS Sterilization, Abortifacient and Contraceptive Mandate
- Feb. 10: U.S. Bishops says revised mandate requires moral analysis; renew call for legislative action protecting religious liberty. See statement.
- Bishops' bulletin Insert about urgent need for legislative protections for religious liberty
- Read our Alert and take action by urging your federal legislators to support Respect for RIghts of Conscience Act today.
- Feb. 13: Six more things everyone should know about the HHS mandate.
- Feb. 6: Six things everyone should know about the HHS sterilization, abortifacient and contraception mandate (and in Spanish), from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- Bishop DiLorenzo and Bishop Loverde's letter to the faithful (and in Spanish), declares the HHS contraception mandate as an attack on the constitutional right of religious liberty.
- See the video. USCCB President and Cardinal-designate TImothy Dolan: "We can't afford to strike out on this one."
News & Events 2012
General Assembly 2012 is in regular session through March 10th.
See the Conference's 2012 Legislative Agenda.
School Choice: Education Improvement Scholarships
The Senate passed legislation that would allow low-income parents more opportunity to pick the best school for their children by offfering tax credits to businesses and individuals who contribute to Education Improvement Scholarships. The vote was 20-20, with Lt. Gov. Bolling casting the tie-breaking vote. See our victory alert!
Conscience Protections for Private and Faith-based Child-Placing Agencies
The full Senate passed HB 189, (conscience clause for private and faith-based agenies), by a 22-18 vote and the legislation now moves to the Governor's desk.
The legislation doesn't change current adoption or foster care law. It simply codifies and clarifies conscience protections for private child-placing agencies, allowing these private agencies---like Catholic Charities--to continue the great work they’re doing without governmental intrusion into them following their beliefs.
Ultrasound requirement prior to abortions
Coming soon: The full House is expected to vote on SB 484, which would update Virginia's informed consent law to require that an ultrasound be performed prior to a woman receiving an abortion, and allow her the option of viewing it.
Ban on State Medicaid Funding for Certain Abortions
The Senate Education and Health Committee approved HB 62 by a vote of 8-7. The bill, which previously passed the House 64-35, would prohibit state Medicaid funding of abortions performed in cases of an unborn child’s “physical deformity” or “mental deficiency.” The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee (where there will be further debate).
Stop Death Penalty Expansion
Upcoming: HB389, a bill that would eliminate the so-called "triggerman rule" and allow accomplices in the second degree to be sentenced to death, has passed out of the House and is headed to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. A Senate version of the bill failed there earlier this session on a 7-7-1 vote. The Conference opposes expanding the death penalty.
Catholic Advocacy Day
Catholic Advocacy Day We hosted our most successful Catholic Advocacy Day yet when a record 266 advocates came to Richmond January 26th to urge their representatives to cast votes for the protection of life, the poor, immigrants, marriage, parental choice in education, religious freedom and other critical issues. See the issue sheets we advocated on. (also in Spanish).
A Closer Look at Some Issues
Lowering Economic Barriers to Education
Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit would enable more parents to select the best school for their child.
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
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.