Author Archives: Julie Gutierrez

Despite Support for Policies Uplifting Common Good, Abortion Funding in Build Back Better Act Must be Remedied

WASHINGTON - As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to consider the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act, six bishop chairmen of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have written a letter to Congress on the legislation.

Read more...https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/despite-support-policies-uplifting-common-good-abortion-funding-build-back-better-act

October 14th Pray for Dobbs Information Webinar

USCCB Webinar: Court case that could overturn Roe

Abortion takes the lives of over 600,000 babies per year in the United States. The upcoming Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is our greatest opportunity in a generation to change that.

Join with Christians across the country – Catholic and Protestant – uniting in prayer and fasting for a just decision in the Dobbs case.

At this webinar, you will hear from legal experts and national faith leaders like the the USCCB pro-life committee's chair, Archbishop Naumann, on:

• Why Dobbs is important – from both a legal and faith perspective;
• Why Christians across the country are uniting in prayer and fasting; and
• How you can get involved and get others involved.

All registrants will receive the recording and periodic updates on the initiative. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Registration Link

A Dark Day in America: Your action needed more than ever!

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Action Center:  Email Congress

Last Friday was a very dark day as the House of Representatives voted to pass the most radical abortion bill ever. The so-called Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 3755, would:

  • Allow abortion on demand nationwide throughout EVERY STAGE of pregnancy
  • BAN pro-life laws in every state and local government 
  • Force Americans to support abortions with their tax dollars
  • Likely eliminate conscience protections for doctors—among other extreme actions

Of those present, all but one House Democrat voted for the bill and all House Republicans voted against. The single House Democrat to vote against the bill was Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas. You can see how your representative voted here.

In his statement responding to this vote, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called this bill “the most extreme pro-abortion bill our nation has ever seen.”

Please contact your Representative today either to thank him/her for voting against H.R. 3755 or to express strong, but respectful, disagreement with their vote for the bill while urging him/her to reconsider support for this radical bill.

In addition, we believe it is likely that the Senate will also vote on this bill in the very near future. So, please also contact your two Senators to strongly urge their opposition to the Senate version of this bill (S. 1975) when it comes up for a vote.

As always, we are grateful for any action you can take on this matter and for all you do to proclaim the Gospel of Life. Please also join us in praying that our nation and its leaders will fully embrace this Gospel.

Further background:

Archbishop Naumann’s letter to Congress urging opposition to this bill

This fact sheet explaining the radical nature of this bill.

 

U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Responds to House Vote on Bill that Imposes Radical “Abortion on Demand Until Birth”

U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Responds to House Vote on Bill that Imposes Radical “Abortion on Demand Until Birth”

SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 3755. This bill would impose abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy through federal statute and would eliminate pro-life laws at every level of government -- including parental notification for minor girls, informed consent, and health or safety protections specific to abortion facilities. H.R. 3755 also would compel all Americans to support abortions here and abroad with their tax dollars and would also likely force health care providers and professionals to perform, assist in, and/or refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as force employers and insurers to cover or pay for abortion.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following statement:

“This deceptively-named bill is the most extreme pro-abortion bill our nation has ever seen. H.R. 3755 is not about the health of women, but only about eliminating any and all protections for unborn children - including baby girls. It would lead to the deliberate destruction of millions of unborn lives, leaving countless women with physical, emotional, and spiritual scars.

“This bill assumes that abortion can be the only, or best, solution to a crisis pregnancy. H.R. 3755 is built on a false and despairing narrative that utterly fails women. In treating abortion as the moral equivalent to the removal of an appendix, this proposal is radically out of step with the American public. As a nation built on the recognition that every human being is endowed by its Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, this bill is a complete injustice. Congress should embrace public policy that respects the rights of mothers, their children, and the consciences of all Americans, not advance a radical ‘abortion on demand until birth’ policy that is completely out of step with our country’s principles.”

Link to statement:  https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/us-bishops-pro-life-chairman-responds-house-vote-bill-imposes-radical-abortion-demand

2021 Respect for Life Month Statement

2021 Respect for Life Month Statement

Statement of Respect for Life Month from Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Chairman U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities

The month of October brings with it our annual observance of Respect Life Month. As part of the Year of St. Joseph declared by Pope Francis, this year’s celebration highlights the example of that great saint.

As the faithful protector of both Jesus and Mary, we find in St. Joseph a profound reminder of our own call to welcome, safeguard, and defend God’s precious gift of human life.

Despite the mysterious circumstances surrounding Mary’s pregnancy, St. Joseph took her into his home at the word of the angel. He guided their journey to Bethlehem, found shelter, and welcomed the infant Jesus as his son. When Herod threatened the life of the Christ Child, St. Joseph left his homeland behind and fled with Jesus and Mary to Egypt.

Like St. Joseph, we are also called to care for those God has entrusted to us–especially vulnerable mothers and children. We can follow in the footsteps of St. Joseph as protector by advocating against taxpayer-funded abortion, which targets the lives of millions of poor children and their mothers here in the United States. We can imitate his care and provision by helping to start Walking with Moms in Need at our parishes, "walking in the shoes" of mothers experiencing a difficult pregnancy, especially low-income mothers in our communities.

At times, we may feel uncertain of our ability to answer the Lord’s call. But He invites us to faithfully respond, despite our own fears or weaknesses: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).

May we imitate St. Joseph’s faithful trust and courage as we work to uphold the dignity of every human life. St. Joseph, defender of life, pray for us!

To learn more about preventing taxpayer-funded abortion, visit www.notaxpayerabortion.com . To walk with moms in need through your local parish, go to www.walkingwithmoms.com.To join in prayer for the intercession of St. Joseph, defender of life, visit www.respectlife.org/prayer-to-st-joseph .

Link to statement:  https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/2021-respect-life-month-statement

NOURISH NY Action Needed

The New York State Legislature voted to make NOURISH NEW YORK (NYS Senate Bill S4892A), the state’s farm to food bank/pantry initiative, a permanent state program.  This pandemic-initiative provides funding to New York’s food banks and emergency food providers (such as Catholic parish food pantries and other community food pantries) for the direct purchase of New York-produced fruit, vegetables and dairy products to feed those in need.   To-date, food banks have purchased and passed through to food pantries, 21 million pounds of agricultural products from New York farms which fed 1.3 million food-insecure families across the state.  NOURISH NEW YORK invests in a statewide food system that expands market opportunities for farmers, eliminates food waste, and makes sure no New Yorker goes hungry.   

Our advocacy on Diocesan Public Policy Weekend (February 2021) helped make the NOURISH NEW YORK program permanent, but legislative leaders never sent the bill to the Governor for signature!

Nourish NY action needed

 

Act Now to Stop Most Extreme Abortion Bill Ever

Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

September 20, 2021

Congress is about to vote on the most radical abortion bill of all time. The so-called “Women’s Health Protection Act” (H.R. 3755/S. 1975) would impose abortion on demand, at any stage of pregnancy. It would apply nationwide—even in states that don’t want it.

Even modest and popular pro-life laws at every level of government—the federal, state, and local level—would be on the chopping block. This includes parental notification for minor girls, informed consent, and health or safety protections for abortion facilities.

It would force Americans to pay for abortions here and abroad with their tax dollars.

It would also likely force health care professionals like doctors and nurses to perform, assist in, and/or refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs. Employers and insurers would be forced to cover or pay for abortion.

We need to tell the House NOW that this horrible bill must never be enacted. 

Join Archbishop Naumann in demanding the House oppose H.R. 3755/S.1975.

Check out the Archbishop’s letter and this fact sheet to learn more about what can be done to STOP this bill from becoming law.

Action Center

 

U.S. Bishop Chairmen Statement on Abortion Funding in Build Back Better Act

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021  Full Statement:  https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/us-bishop-chairmen-statement-abortion-funding-build-back-better-act

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced portions of the reconciliation bill without removing abortion funding provisions or including the Hyde Amendment to prohibit taxpayer funding of abortion. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement following markup of the Build Back Better Act by the two House committees.

“Catholic bishops have been strong advocates for proposals at both the federal and state level that ensure all people will have access to affordable healthcare, including Medicaid expansion proposals. We are encouraged by several healthcare provisions in portions of the Build Back Better Act that will improve healthcare coverage for those in need, including enhanced postpartum coverage and other investments to address the high rates of preventable maternal deaths in the United States, expanded access to in-home care for family members, support for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and pre-release Medicaid coverage for returning citizens.

“However, the legislative text advanced by the two House committees also funds abortion, the deliberate destruction of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters - those in the womb. This cannot be included. Congress can, and must, turn back from including taxpayer funding of abortion, in the Build Back Better Act. We urge all members of Congress and the Administration to work in good faith to advance important and life-saving healthcare provisions without forcing Americans to pay for the deliberate destruction of unborn human life.”

On September 7, five USCCB chairmen wrote to Congress outlining their priorities for the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Reconciliation bill. In this letter, the bishops reiterated that if this bill expands taxpayer funding of abortion the USCCB would oppose it.

January 15, 2022 Catholic Conversations: Death With True Dignity

The Finger Lakes Guild of the Catholic Medical Association invites you to attend "Catholic Conversations: Death with True Dignity" either in-person at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry or virtually via Zoom. This special event is geared towards community members, health care providers, hospice workers, and ministers and will highlight Catholic teaching on end-of-life care.

To register, click here

Informational flyer:  click here

Topics will include:

Advance directives
Pain control
Ventilators and morphine use
Hospice vs. hospital vs. home care
And more
Break-out discussion groups by topic interest will occur both on site and via Zoom. Registration is free, but advance registration is required. Reserve your space now!

When: Saturday, January 15th, 2022

Where: St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry, 120 French Road, Rochester, NY, 14618, or online via Zoom
Schedule
7:30 AM Mass(in person only)
8:00 AM Registration
8:30 AM Greetings
8:45 AM Catholic Teaching
9:15 AM Advance Directives
9:45 AM Pain/Syx Control
10:15 AM Hospice and CCH
10:45 AM Breakout Session 1
11:45 AM Breakout Session 2
12:45 PM Lunch(in person only)

Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Heading to Senate

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the Hyde and Helms Amendments. If the Senate agrees with these repeals, your tax dollars would pay for abortions in the United States and overseas.

We can still stop taxpayer-funded abortion. But we have to fight even harder now. The Senate needs to hear from many, many more people.

So far, over 145,000 people have signed the petition! Think of the impact if everyone who signed the petition got even just one more person to sign it.

Will you help?

Simply copy, paste, and post this text on your social media: Don’t let our government make you pay for the deaths of innocent babies. Sign the petition at www.notaxpayerabortion.com!