CONTACT: Maria Huemmer, TCC Communication Director, 512-339-9882

AUSTIN -  The Texas Catholic Conference (TCC) has announced that it is amplifying its role as the policy voice of the bishops of Texas by reviving its podcast series on public issues affecting Catholics across the state.

The TCC Policy Podcast Series marked its return with an address by Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville on “Violence on The Border: Consequences & Pastoral Responses” at  a recent Immigration Symposium hosted by the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) in San Antonio.

“Bishop Flores' address provided a tremendous opportunity for re-launching the podcast series," said Jeffery R. Patterson, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference.  "One of our goals at the Catholic Conference is to expand understanding and dialogue--among Catholics and non-Catholics alike--on the most pressing public issues that affect our faith and the Church in Texas.  Bishop Flores' address exemplifies the importance and frankness of the dialogue that we want to share."

Patterson said the new podcasts would be posted regularly, and will include policy updates, guest interviews, commentaries, and other featured addresses and presentations from dioceses from across the state.  Each podcast will be posted to the Texas Catholic Conference's iTunes podcast, and can also be downloaded from the TCC Audio Archive web page.

In his speech on border violence, Bishop Flores' not only expressed a pastoral urgency as a shepherd on the border, but also a personal urgency for people on both sides of the Rio Grande who are dealing with the effects of criminal narcotics, weapons, and human trafficking all along the U.S.-Mexico border.

You can listen to Bishop Flores’ keynote address on the Texas Catholic Conference iTunes podcast.

The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas and is the official public policy voice of the Bishops of Texas. For more information on the Texas Catholic Conference, visit www.TXCatholic.org.

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