Public Policy

A Word on Faithful Citizenship...

" Worship pleasing to God can never be a purely private matter, without consequences for our relationships with others: it demands a public witness to our faith. "

Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, no. 83

Texas' 82nd Legislative Session begins in...

Public Policy Home

The Texas Catholic Conference is the Official Public Policy Voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas.The official position of the Texas Catholic Conference is determined by a vote of the regular members of the Board of Directors. Public policy statements may be initiated by the Board members or by any delegate to the General Assembly.

The public policy issues addressed by the Conference include institutional concerns of the Catholic Church and issues related to Catholic social teachings. Use the links below to learn more about our public policy priorities and work.

Texas Legislative Session Tools

82nd Session Legislative Agenda - The Texas Catholic Conference Agenda includes (but is not limited to) the 51 priorities listed on our Legislative Agenda. In September, we will have updated policy papers for each agenda item. The policy papers are 2-page resources that that contain Church teaching and relevant factual information on the legislative priority.
Current Legislation (Bill Reports) - Throughout the Legislative Session, the Texas Catholic Conference tracks bills relating to our legislative priorities. This page provides a comprehensive bill report of all bills that we are publicly supporting or opposing.
Action Alert Archive - Here you can view a listing of all of our action alerts. You can sign up to receive action alerts from us here.
Testimony and Letters - This page lists public testimony and letters presented by the Texas Catholic Conference during the 82nd Legislative Session.
Previous Legislative Sessions - Here you can view information from previous legislative sessions.

General

Forming Consciences on Faithful Citizenship - Click here to learn more about Church teaching on how to be a Faithful Citizen and why it is vital to our faith.
Guidelines for Pastors and Parishes on Advocacy and Political Participation - Guidelines from the Texas Bishops on Advocacy.
Register for the Texas Catholic Voice - Join the Texas Catholic Conference and thousands of Texans to work for justice in our society.
Resources - This page provides a portal through which you can learn more about our advocacy issues.

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Our Mission The primary purpose of the Conference is to encourage and foster cooperation and communication among the dioceses and the ministries of the Catholic Church of Texas. A major function of the Conference is to be the public policy arm of the Conference's Board of Directors, the bishops of Texas, before the Texas legislature, the Texas delegation in Congress, and state agencies. The public policy issues addressed by the Conference include institutional concerns of the Catholic Church as well as issues related to Catholic moral and social teachings. Learn more about us.