A one-hour national briefing about the Equality Act brought to you by the Archdioceses of Los Angeles and New York, the Dioceses of Arlington and Green Bay together with the Catholic Conferences of Colorado and Virginia and in collaboration with Catholic dioceses throughout the country.

To view the recording click here.

On March 10, 2021 US Court of Appeals (Second Circuit) gave a decision in a case brought by New York’s Attorney General against pro-life sidewalk counselors/protestors in Queens. The full decision by the Court is here, and Mr. Ed Mechmann, Director of Public Policy for the Archdiocese of New York, wrote a memo on the ruling. As Mr. Mechmann makes clear, this precedent-setting decision applies to federal, state and local “clinic access” laws, and holds sidewalk counselors to very rigorous standards. Conduct outside clinics which seems inconsequential, even accidental, may be held to be a violation. Please take a moment to read through this helpful memo!

Clinic_Access_Second_Circuit_Memo

Statement of USCCB President and Bishop Chairmen in Response to Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act

Archbishop Gomez’s full statement follows:

“Our nation needs to heal, come together, and help one another. The American Rescue Plan is an important step in the right direction. It should provide much needed assistance for American families and businesses hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

“However, we are deeply concerned that this important legislation, as written, risks creating new divisions by abandoning a longstanding bipartisan compromise that respects the consciences of millions of Americans.

“For 45 years, the United States Congress – whether controlled by Democrats or Republicans – has maintained that taxpayers should not be forced against their conscience to pay for abortions. Abandoning this compromise in a time of national emergency only serves to divide people in the very moment we should be united. Please, let us instead focus on delivering the COVID relief so desperately needed.

“We urge President Biden and the leadership on Capitol Hill not to force upon Americans the wrenching moral decision whether to preserve the lives and health of the born or unborn, all of whom are our vulnerable neighbors in need. We ask that our leaders please not pit people against one another in such a way. We ask all Members of Congress to include the same protections against abortion funding that have been present in every COVID relief bill to date, and every annual spending bill for almost half a century.”