10/13/08 Joint Statement from Bishop Kevin Farrell and Bishop Kevin Vann  2/13/08 Statement concerning the appearance of Senator Hillary Clinton at St. Mary’s University 10/08/07     Texas Bishops Respond to Amnesty International  4/15/07  End-of-life Decisions Require Respect for Human Life Catholic Bishops Statement on the HPV Vaccine Mandate Texas Bishops Statement on Coal Fired Plants  1/26/06 Pastoral Statement by the Catholic Bishops of Texas on Immigration Reform Legislation  9/29/05 Statement by the Catholic Bishops of Texas on Proposition 2  5/23/05 Statement by the Catholic Bishops of Texas On Human Embryos and Human Cloning 12/07/04 Pastoral Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Texas on Access to Health Care OCTOBER 13, 2008 Joint Statement from Bishop Kevin Farrell and Bishop Kevin Vann Bishop Kevin Farrell of the Diocese of Dallas and Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Fort Worth have written a joint letter to the Faithful of their Dioceses. Click here to read the statement in English or click here to read the statement in Spanish. ........................................ FEBRUARY 13, 2008 Archbishop José H. Gomez, with the support of Bishop Patrick J. Zurek and Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan (retired) issued a statement in response to the appearance of Senator Hillary Clinton at St. Mary’s University. Statement concerning the appearance of Senator Hillary Clinton at St. Mary’s University   I was surprised to learn of Senator Hillary Clinton’s appearance at St. Mary’s University. I was neither advised nor consulted by the university before the decision was made to have Senator Clinton speak at the university. Catholic institutions are obliged to teach and promote Catholic values in all instances. This is especially important when people look to our Catholic universities and colleges to provide leadership and clarity to the often complicated and conflicting political discourse.   It is clear that the records of Senator Clinton and some of the other candidates for president on important life issues are not consistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church.   It is not my intention to tell people for whom to vote. However, I encourage Catholics to understand the teachings of the church on the broad spectrum of public issues that are of great concern today. I urge the faculty and the ministry staff at St. Mary’s University to continue to carry out their responsibility to educate their students in their political duty in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.   The Catholic bishops of the United States, in their 2004 document “Catholics in Political Life,” affirmed that when dealing with political candidates and public office holders, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”   In a statement distributed by St. Mary’s University, they wrote, “As a Catholic tax-exempt university, St. Mary’s does not endorse political candidates or their positions on issues and acknowledges the fundamental differences between those of the presidential candidates and the Catholic Church.”   Our Catholic institutions must promote the clear understanding of our deep moral convictions on an issue like abortion, an act that the church calls “an unspeakable crime” and a non-negotiable issue. Download this Statement: English Español ........................................ Texas Bishops Respond to Amnesty International October 8, 2007 We, the Bishops of Texas, are instructing all parish and diocesan staff and other Catholic organizations to no longer support financially or through publicity, or participate in joint projects or events sponsored by the organization known as Amnesty International. This instruction is based on Amnesty International’s decision to limit its human rights agenda by promoting abortion as a way to curb violence against women, especially women in developing countries. In promoting abortion, Amnesty International divides its own members, many of whom are Catholics, and others who defend the rights of unborn children and jeopardizes its support by people in many nations, cultures and religions who share a consistent commitment to all human rights. Our assessment is that Amnesty International is now violating its original mission to protect human rights worldwide and has lost its moral credibility. While no human rights organization should turn away from the suffering that women face daily in the form of sexual violence, it should not prioritize a mother’s life above that of her unborn child. It is better to advocate advancing her educational and economic standing in society and resist all forms of violence and stigmatization against her and her child. Abortion is an act of violence against both the child and its mother. Any organization truly committed to women’s rights must put itself in solidarity with women and their unborn children. Discontinuing participation with Amnesty International does not mean the Catholic Church in Texas will cease to protect human life and promote human dignity in all circumstances. We will continue to oppose the use of the death penalty, unjust incarceration and the crushing effects of dehumanizing poverty in our state. We will continue to stand with refugees, migrants, and other oppressed peoples. But, we will seek to do so in authentic ways, working most closely with organizations who do not oppose the fundamental right to life from conception until natural death. Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, stated that individuals and Catholic organizations must withdraw their support for Amnesty International if it continues with this new policy, because, in deciding to promote abortion rights, Amnesty International has betrayed its mission. This statement has been supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. We, therefore, call upon Amnesty International to act in accord with its noblest principles, reconsider its error, and reverse its policy on abortion. Until then, parishes, diocesan staffs, and other Catholic organizations should no longer work with Amnesty International. We also encourage the lay faithful to examine their consciences and prayerfully consider their personal involvement with Amnesty International. For more information, visit www.TXcatholic.org. Click here for PDF of this document. Click here for a PDF of this document En Español End-of-life Decisions Require Respect for Human Life Bishop Gregory Aymond Diocese of Austin April 15, 2007 The heart-wrenching situation regarding Emilio Gonzales, a 17-month-old child at Children’s Hospital, has garnered national attention. Beside the heavy emotions, the issue of determining the use of extraordinary medical treatment in the face of such difficult situations is not a new dilemma. In my own family, I have been part of making end-of-life decisions for both of my parents and for my 24-year-old nephew, who was involved in a traumatic vehicle accident a few months ago. I empathize with Emilio’s mother as she attempts to do what is best for her child and I remember her in prayer daily...click here to read more... Click here for a PDF of this document.   Catholic Bishops Statement on the HPV Vaccine Mandate On Friday, February 2 Governor Perry issued an executive order requiring the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules requiring the new Gardasil vaccine for girls entering sixth grade as of September 2008. The vaccine is designed to protect girls against some strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, that cause most forms of cervical cancer...click here to read more... Click here for a PDF of this document Click here for a PDF of this document En Español Texas Bishops Statement on Coal Fired Plants The Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas seek to offer a constructive contribution to the current and important state debate regarding coal-fired plants. We participate neither as climate experts nor as scientists, but rather as pastors and teachers who are concerned that the moral and human dimensions of these decisions could be overwhelmed by political, economic or ideological pressures.As the population of Texas increases and our reliance on energy grows, it is becoming increasingly clear that our state may need to reduce total energy consumption while adopting alternative energy sources and technologies that are more environmentally sound. Texas is already home to five of the ten top mercury-emitting power plants in the country and the current debate over the proposals to build multiple coal-fired plants in our state has heightened awareness to the human and environmental impact of such plants. We hope this will be a time for our state to come together across partisan, ideological and interest groups lines to address the moral, human and environmental challenges facing our entire community. We ask Texas leaders to adopt policy measures that reflect a framework of principles drawn from four major themes of Catholic Social Teaching and our pastoral experience: ...Click here to read more Click here for a PDF of this document. Click here for a PDF of this document en Español. Pastoral Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Texas on Access to Health Care Catholic Bishops of Texas call legislators’ attention to health care crisis AUSTIN — The Catholic Bishops of the 15 dioceses of Texas have issued a joint pastoral statement on access to health care, especially for the uninsured and underinsured people in Texas, and are asking legislators to address what the Bishops call “a worsening crisis.” ...click here to read more... Click here for a PDF of this document. Statement by the Catholic Bishops of Texas On Human Embryos and Human Cloning May 23, 2005 The State of Texas has been one of many states in the forefront regarding the debate of human cloning and human embryo research. The Catholic Bishops of this state share the belief of most Texans that all human life, regardless of development, is made in the image and likeness of our Creator. As such, it is imperative that Texans not waver, even for the noblest of goals, from the commitment to protect every innocent human being. The fact is that human life is sacred and to intentionally destroy innocent human life for medical research purposes is ethically unacceptable. ...Click here to read more Statement by the Catholic Bishops of Texas on Proposition 2 September 29, 2005 On November 8, 2005 Texans will be asked to vote on an amendment to the Texas Constitution that will prohibit the legalization of same-sex unions in Texas. The Catholic Bishops of this state share the conviction with most Texans that marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman. This relationship is unique among creation in so far as it is established by God. This fundamental truth ought to be recognized as such in law. Pastoral Statement by the Catholic Bishops of Texas on Immigration Reform Legislation (H.R. 4437) January 23, 2006 We are strongly opposed to legislation which was recently passed by the United States House of Representatives, H.R. 4437 the so called Border Protection Antiterrorism, Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. This extremely punitive and shameful legislation will not solve the problems facing our nation regarding security along the U.S.-Mexican Border. We are greatly dismayed that many Texas Representatives voted for this bill. We urge the members of the United States Senate especially our two senators, Senator John Cornyn and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to reject this legislation if it is considered when the Congress reconvenes. About the Catholic Health Association of Texas: The Austin-based Catholic Health Association of Texas is the statewide leadership organization representing Catholic health ministry. CHA of Texas represents Catholic health care sponsors, systems, hospitals, and related organizations. For more information about CHA of Texas, please call 512-465-1521 or go to www.chatexas.org. About the Texas Catholic Conference: Established in 1963, the Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas. The Conference is the public policy arm of the Bishops of Texas before the Texas legislature, the Texas delegation in Congress, and state agencies. For more information about the Texas Catholic Conference, please call 512-339-9882 or go to www.txcatholic.org.