Welcome to the Texas Catholic Conference, the Official Public Policy Voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas.
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.
Pro-Life Day in Austin brought hundreds together to pray, learn, and actively promote respect for human life from conception until natural death.
The Day's activities began at 7 a.m. with a prayer vigil at an abortion clinic in downtown Austin. Despite the brisk air, organizers estimated that there were approximately 90 people in attendance, including Dr. Alveda King, niece of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.
After the vigil, hundreds gathered at San Jose parish in Austin for a pro-life rosary and Mass, celebrated by Bishop Aymond.
Click the image above to see our Pro Life day video which includes pictures, excerpts from Bishop Aymond's homily and Dr. Alveda King's speech
"God’s dream is that all human life will be respected,” stated Bishop Aymond during his homily. "We have a dream not just for the unborn but for all human life. We have a dream that the terminally ill will not be in danger of losing their lives. We have a dream that those on death row will be given a chance to repent, instead of taking their life from them. We have a dream that the poor and the homeless and the hungry will be invited to someone’s table….”
Also present at the Mass were diocesan priests and seminarians, the Knights of Columbus, the Guadalupanas, and youth groups from the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Juan Diego High School, and other nearby parishes.
The next leg of the day began at Republic Square, where a large crowd gathered to begin the march to the Capitol for the Texas Rally for Life. Rally organizers passed out balloons and signs with the Rally's theme: Protect Every Heart. As marchers walked through the streets of Austin, they chanted, "Hey Hey Ho Ho Roe v Wade has got to go." Others holding "Honk if you're pro-life" signs received audible support from cars waiting for the marchers to pass.
The Texas Rally for Life program began with the Catholic African American Mass Choir from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Bishop Aymond led the crowd in prayer, and Alveda King gave a heartfelt speech on her history of civil rights advocacy, her own experiences with abortion, and her optimism regarding the pro-life movement.
"This is not a battle based on one ethnic group or another, one denomination or another,” stated King. "This is for all people fighting for the civil rights of the weakest and it is certainly a violation of a person’s civil right, when they are innocent, to kill them.”
After the Rally, many headed to the University Catholic Center for the Party for Life, hosted by Catholic Longhorns for Life. Those under 35 received t-shirts stating "I am a Survivor” and all in attendance were able to enjoy pizza, donuts, and good company.
2008 marks the second year that the Texas Catholic Conference participated in the Texas Rally for Life as a member of the Steering Committee. The Texas Catholic Conference is the statewide association of the Roman Catholic dioceses in Texas. One of the Conference’s functions 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 social teachings.
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Statewide Roe v. Wade Commemoration
"Seven members of the Supreme Court took the issue of abortion out of the hands of the American people and their duly elected lawmakers. In doing so, they declared that the tiniest human beings have no claim on life and that, therefore, their lives can be terminated. In doing so, those seven did more than write new laws; they invented a constitutional concept that had never been envisioned; in doing so, they contravened two of our nation’s most precious values: the recognition of a God-given, inalienable right to life, and the promise of equal protection under law. All this, increasing numbers of Americans are coming to understand, and there is hope in this.”
-Cardinal William H. Keeler, homily at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C, January 23, 2005
Click hereto learn about statewide events commemorating the 35th anniversary of Roe v Wade
Click hereto test your knowledge of Roe v Wade and related issues
'From Many, One Family of God' is the theme for this year's National Migration Week, sponsored by Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB/MRS), and to be observed January 6-12. The message is one of assurance of the providence of God as well as a reminder that His abundance is meant to be shared with all people.
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, new chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, said that this year's theme "reminds us that though we come from many cultures and places, we are all part of one human family and members of the one Body of Christ. Sadly, rather than embracing newcomers to our land whose circumstances have compelled them to seek new lives among us, we too often respond in fear and harbor attitudes of resentment and suspicion."
"The miracle of the loaves and fishes is God's promise not only to the disciples but to us as well. If we fail to minister to the needs of these newcomers, we fail our Lord himself," Bishop Wester said. "National Migration Week 2008 is a celebration of the diversity and richness of the family of God…When we set aside our concerns and share our resources, God's blessings extend to all of us."
After failure by the U.S. Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform last summer, the Catholic Bishops have vowed to continue raising their "prophetic voice calling the faithful and all people of goodwill to reach out in love and understanding to our migrant brothers and sisters. We must learn of the realities that cause them to leave all that is precious behind for an uncertain future, learn the truth about the many contributions they make and gifts they bring to our society, and work to reform our immigration laws that cause family disintegration and strife within communities," the bishops say.
The Migration and Refugee Services of the USCCB has made several materials available to facilitate the observance of National Migration Week 2008. These materials include a prayer for migrants and refugees, bulletin inserts explaining the meaning and purpose of the celebration, a bilingual poster and a calendar for reflection for each day during the week of observance. Each day is devoted to one particular topic and contains a Scripture passage and suggestions for action.
Information and materials for National Migration Week 2008 can be found at www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw.shtml.
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All Souls' Day Border Mass
Out in the desert on Friday, Nov. 2, approximately 500 people attended the binational All Souls’ Day Mass at the border of Sunland Park, N.M. and Anapra, Mexico. Bishops Armando X. Ochoa, of El Paso,and Ricardo Ramirez, of Las Cruces, and Bishop Renato Ascensio Leon of Juarez concelebrated the Mass on both sides of the tall chain link fence. The altars were simple folding tables covered with white cloths. Bright paper flowers adorned the fence. Small wooden crosses were displayed in memory of the many who died crossing the border in past years.
"The Mass is a tradition on the border and is meant for the living as much as for the dead. We gather together to remember those who have lost their lives and to challenge the living to do what we can to look for comprehensive immigration law," said Bishop Ochoa.
Las Cruces Bishop Ramirez and Juarez BishopLeon took turns leading the worship, each one on his side of the fence.
Bishop Ramirez sees the annual Border Mass as, "…one of the newest traditions and gets more attention. We celebrate on both sides and this unites us."
During the sharing of peace men, women and children reached fingers out to each other through the openings on both sides of the fence. Just before the Mass ended red, white and blue balloons were released into the air accompanied by Mexico’s green and red balloons. They billowed out floating together.
A special collection was taken up for the Tabasco, Mexico flood victims.The crowd of religious and laity included locals and travelers from other parts of the U.S. and even Europe. Two Annunciation House volunteers were pleased they had the opportunity to participate in the event. Susanna Schechinger, from Bavaria in Munich, related, "There’s a lot of injustice, but I am happy to see people celebrate Mass as a sign of unity. This brings us together and makes us all equal."
Article by Mary Ann Herman-Bogle. Picture and article reprinted from the Rio Grande Catholic
Pope Accepts Resignation Of Amarillo Bishop John Yanta, Names San Antonio Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Zurek To Succeed Him
Bishop John Yanta
Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop John W. Yanta, 76, as bishop of Amarillo, Texas, and named San Antonio Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, 59, to succeed him.
Bishop Patrick Zurek
"I wish to express my gratitude to our present Holy Father Benedict XVI for his confidence in me continuing as Diocesan Bishop these 15 months after my 75th birthday," stated Bishop Yanta. "I have loved and enjoyed my tenure as Bishop of Amarillo."
"Your new Diocesan Bishop has been a bishop for ten years, speaks Spanish fluently and has great experience in evangelizing, shepherding, teaching, sanctifying, and serving the People of God," continued Bishop Yanta. "He has many years of fruitful experience in mission work in Honduras in a joint collaboration with the Diocese of Amarillo. Both as a priest and a bishop, your new diocesan pastor has been committed to Pro-Life ministry. Your new shepherd has earned through experience a reputation for his respected ecclesial and pastoral relationship with all."
Archbishop José Gomez of the Archdiocese of San Antonio also praised Bishop Zurek, stating, "Bishop Patrick Zurek has been a blessing in many ways to me personally and to all the people of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. All who have worked alongside him will miss a good friend and a talented and dedicated bishop. However, I am happy that the Diocese of Amarillo will now benefit from his inspired leadership and dedication. For nearly a decade Bishop Zurek ministered effectively in a variety of areas throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio. His ability to work with a collaborative spirit enriched the implementation of the Archdiocesan Synod, ACTS Missions, Assumption Seminary, CTSA and many other ministries and initiatives."
Bishop Zurek, a native of Wallis, Texas, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Austin, Texas, in 1975. He was ordained a bishop in 1998.
Patrick Zurek was born on August 17, 1948. He attended local elementary and secondary schools and received his bachelor's degree in mathematics and chemistry from the University of Houston. He also attended the Seminary of St. Mary, studying philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, Houston, and the North American College, Rome, studying theology at the Angelicum University. Subsequently he earned a licentiate in moral theology at the Alphonsian Academy, Rome.
After several parochial assignments, Bishop Zurek served as pastor of St. Thomas Church, College Station, Texas, and pastor of St. John Neumann Church, Austin, and as diocesan director of vocations. He also served as vice president and president of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors.
As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Zurek served on the Committee on the North American College and the Ad Hoc Committee for the Spanish Language Bible. His installation will be on Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. in Amarillo.
The Amarillo Diocese has 26 counties and 25,800 square miles, and includes the part of Texas known as the Panhandle. The total population of the diocese is estimated at 422,428 people, with 41,692 of them Catholic.
Bishops praise New Jersey lawmakers for vote to abolish death penalty
Congratulations to Archbishop Fiorenza
Archbishop Fiorenza will be honored on January 26th for his commitment to abolishing the death penalty in Texas by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The Texas Catholic Conference applauds Archbishop Fiorenza, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of this life issue.
Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston stated that New Jersey's recent abolition of the death penalty is "a great step forward."
"I hope it is a harbinger of things to come and that people will realize, like New Jersey, that the death penalty is no longer necessary in order to properly deter horrendous crimes,” said the Archbishop. "The use of the death penalty usurps God's absolute dominion over human life. That’s what states do when they put someone to death. They are usurping God’s power over all human life.”
The governor of New Jersey, Jon Corzine, approved the measure on December 17 and also issued an order to commute the sentences of the eight men on the state's death row to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
He thanked advocacy groups, naming the New Jersey Catholic Conference and the American Civil Liberties Union among others, for their efforts "that put pressure on those of us in public service to stand up and do the right thing."
He also noted that the state Legislature "showed courageous leadership" with its decision.
Bishop Smith of Trenton, N.J., who testified before state lawmakers to oppose capital punishment, likewise said the legislators showed "a great deal of courage" to take an unpopular position against the death penalty.
In a phone interview with Catholic News Service, he said the state will not be the first to abolish the death penalty, but the first to stop its use since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976 after a three-year suspension. The practice was reinstated in New Jersey in 1982, but no one has been executed by the state since 1963.
Currently 37 states have capital punishment.
Bishop Smith told CNS he hoped the state's decision to repeal the death penalty and replace it with life in prison would encourage other states to pass similar measures.
He credited the combined efforts of lawmakers and a coalition of lobbyists -- including law enforcement officials and representatives of religious groups who testified against capital punishment -- with helping the measure secure the necessary votes for passage.
The bishop noted that many people who testified were family members of victims of "horrible murders." Family members were on both sides of the issue, he said; some felt the death penalty was justified, and others said the appeals process for the convicted murderer involved them in so much litigation they could never resume normal lives and did not experience the closure they sought.
Bishop Smith said he was pleased to be in the coalition speaking up against the death penalty, noting that "there is confusion in the church" over this issue.
He said the U.S. Catholic bishops have been actively campaigning against the death penalty since 2005. Since then, New Jersey's Catholic bishops have issued three statements opposing it. He said the statements mainly tried to get across the message that the death penalty "takes human life and should be abolished."
In a Dec. 10 statement Bishop Smith delivered to the General Assembly, he said the Catholic Church is guided by its belief "that every person has an inalienable right to life."
The bishop, quoting a statement released by the New Jersey Catholic Conference in Trenton and signed by the state's bishops, described capital punishment as "controversial, emotional and not an easy matter to address," particularly for victims' families, who "suffer with their loss through the years."
While he affirms the state's duty to "punish criminals and to prevent the repetition or occurrence of crime," he said he also believes "greater efforts must be made to bring the criminal to repentance and rehabilitation."
Elsewhere in the country in 2007, bills to abolish the death penalty failed to get enough votes in Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska and Colorado, according to the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington.
In 2005, New Jersey enacted a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty while a commission examined the justice system for fairness and accuracy.
First Texas Cardinal receives praise from Governor Perry
Austin, Texas—"Honor is given to me but I say that honor is given to the dynamic Catholic presence here in the state of Texas,” said Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who was honored on December 12, at a luncheon hosted by Governor Rick Perry.
"Our state’s faith tradition is a strong one, continued by the millions of people who daily live out their faith by obeying the law, loving one another, and helping the less fortunate," said Governor Perry. "Cardinal DiNardo embodies the example of a life lived by faith. He understands the unique culture of our state and is living proof that the Roman Catholic faith is alive and well and thriving in Texas."
Cardinal DiNardo and TCC staff
Cardinal "I think what the Holy Father and the Holy See are saying is that the whole south and southwestern part of the United States with its variety of people, obviously a major portion of whom are Hispanic, is a noteworthy and beautiful addition for the Catholic Church in the United States and they wanted to recognize that,” Cardinal DiNardo said.
Bishop Gregory Aymond of the Diocese of Austin agreed, stating that the elevation "is a clear indication of Pope Benedict XVI’s awareness of the growth of the Catholic Church in Texas.”
Cardinal DiNardo celebrates his elevation with his brother bishop Gregory Aymond
of the Diocese of Austin, as well as Austin seminarian Kevin Jackson and Jason Bonifazi, a seminarian from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Texas’ Catholic roots date as far back as the 1520s when the first Europeans arrived.[i]Spanish explorer Juan de O
Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo), ca. 1860-1868.
Following the Texas War of Independence in 1836, Catholics found themselves cut off from Church authorities in Mexico and appealed to Rome for assistance.
In response to these appeals, Pope Gregory XVI designated Texas as an Apostolic Prefecture in 1839 with Father John Timon, C.M. as Prefect Apostolic. Father Jean Marie Odin, C.M., was named the Vice Prefect. When Father Odin arrived in Texas in 1840, there were five parishes for the entire state serving 12,000 Catholics. Recognizing the growth of Catholics in Texas, Pope Gregory XVI raised the Prefecture of Texas to the level of a Vicariate Apostolic in 1842, and Father Odin, C.M. was ordained a bishop to care for the Vicariate.[v]
Father Odin
Five years later in 1847, Pope Pius IX created the Diocese of Galveston, which included the entire state of Texas, and selected Father Odin as the first bishop.[vi]
In 1849 Bishop Odin brought the Oblates of Mary Immaculate to Texas to aid in ministering to Catholics in the diocese. The sisters began the horseback ministry, visiting more than 100 ranchos and communities located along the Rio Grande river.[vii]
The Church in Texas continued to grow and in 1874 the Vicariate Apostolic of Brownsville was established.[viii]The Vicariate was home to between 30,000 and 40,000 Catholics, the majority of whom could trace their heritage to settlers brought in the mid-eighteenth century by José de Escandón, known as the "father of the Rio Grande Valley” for his colonization efforts.[ix]
Oblate Missionaries were often known as the "Cavalry of Christ.” Here the missionaries are accompanied by Bishop Ledvina of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, 1920s.
By the end of the 1840s, Texas’ Catholics included native Hispanics as well as Catholics from France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland and other parts of Europe and the United States. For the next 50 years, dozens of Texas towns would be created by these groups of Catholic settlers.[x]
Two hundred Irish Catholic families from New York established the town of San Patricio de Hibernia by 1834.[xi]As early as the 1840s, Czech and German Catholics settled Texas towns including Dubina, Warrenton, West and Ammansville. Czechs who settled Hostyn established the first Czech Catholic school in Texas in 1868.[xii]
Today there are approximately 7.4 million Catholics in Texas including over 5,000 priests, deacons, and religious.[xiii] More than 1.9 million of Texas’ Catholics are Hispanic and studies predict that by the second decade of the 21st century, over 50% of U.S. Catholics will likely be Hispanic.[xiv]Other Catholic ethnic groups in Texas also continue to grow. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Ethnic ministry department has offices for Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Korean, Nigerian, and Vietnamese Catholics in addition to offices for African American and Hispanic Catholics.
2007 marks 25 years of a Culture of death in Texas
Austin, Texas—"Many of us say that we live in a culture of death,” stated Bishop Gregory Aymond during a press conference at the State Capitol.
Click the picture above to play the video
Click hereto read a transcript of Bishop Aymond’s remarks.
Bishop Aymond, speaking on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference, reiterated Catholic Teaching on the death penalty, stating, "We do not believe as people who believe in Jesus, that it is right to continue this cycle of death. Even if someone has experienced or committed the terrible, egregious crime of taking the life of another, does that give us the right to take their life?”
This year, which marks Texas’ 25th year of the use of the death penalty, the state accounted for 62% of all executions that took place in the United States this year, according to a new report from the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP).Baze>Luckily, the number of new death sentences in Texas have declined by 50% over the last five years, mirroring national trends. Seven inmates scheduled for execution this year have received last-minute stays, due to concerns about their possible innocence, the fairness of their trial, or issues related to lethal injection. Texas also commuted the death sentence of Kenneth Foster to life in prison. The Texas Catholic Conference, along with numerous other groups around the state, actively vied for this commutation. Click here to read the Bishops’ letter requesting clemency for Kenneth Foster. "Jesus seems to have been pretty clear when he said it’s not an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth but it is rather compassion and justice and mercy,” stated Bishop Aymond. "Jesus himself has said [he does] not desire the death of a sinner but rather that he or she be converted and live.”
Concluding his remarks, the Bishop reiterated, "We must become a voice for life.”
Click hereto read a transcript of Bishop Aymond’s remarks.
Click herefor the TCC death penalty resources page.
Click here to sign up for the TCC email newsletter.
Bishop Aymond's Remarks
We live, unfortunately, in a culture today, throughout our country and all across the world as well, that is not a culture that respects the dignity and the reverence of human life. And that’s why many of us say that we live in a culture of death. And I suggest that there is a great deal of evidence around us that suggests that we do live in a culture that encourages death. We do not believe as people who believe in Jesus, that it is right to continue this cycle of death. Even if someone has experienced or committed the terrible, egregious crime of taking the life of another, does that give us the right to take their life. And so we as Christians, and certainly as Catholics, stand very, very strongly, and I represent not just myself, but the Catholic Church and all the Catholic bishops of Texas, in saying that we are concerned. And we appreciate you being here today. We appreciate you listening to this and carrying the message forward. We must become a voice for life.
Spe salvi (Saved by hope), the second encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, offers inspiration to all believers, said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Pope Benedict calls us personally and as a community to a hope rooted in Jesus,” he said. Cardinal George made his remarks November 30, the day the encyclical was released at the Vatican.
Spe Salvi instructs readers that the Christian message is not only "informative” but also "performative,” that is, "the Gospel is not merely a communication of things that can be known – it is one that makes things happen and is life-changing,” Pope Benedict says. It is in receiving God through Jesus Christ that we receive hope. He illustrates this point narrating the life of the African slave, St. Josephine Bakhita.
The Pope outlines the concept of faith-based hope in the New Testament and early church and says that Christianity did not bring to the Roman world a hopeful message of social revolution. Jesus, who died on a cross, brought a totally different kind of hope. He made possible an encounter with "the Lord of all lords, an encounter with the living God and thus an encounter with a hope stronger than sufferings of slavery,” which therefore transformed life.
This hope exceeds the physical laws of nature and evolution. It is ultimately not these laws that govern the world and mankind and have the final say; a personal God governs the universe – "reason, will, love – a Person,” Pope Benedict says.
For the Pope, Christian hope is not individualistic. It is community oriented – all of us are becoming the people of God – the body of Christ, he says. Because our hope is a hope that incorporates all men and women, this hope spurs us not only to obtain eternal life, but to also manifest this hope of eternal life here on earth. We do this by striving to make our life on earth a heavenly life – a life of productivity, justice, peace, and goodness – a positive world order that prospers.
The Holy Father also notes the importance of Christian faith-hope in the modern age. In the encyclical letter, Pope Benedict analyzes the false utopian dreams of the modern age and points out the untold suffering they have caused human beings. From this point of view, redemption is no longer through faith in God’s saving action but from what human beings can achieve through the application of technical knowledge to all of society’s problems. A praxis-oriented science draws on an understanding of progress as the overcoming of all dependency to make room for a "kingdom” in which God is no longer at the center. Pope Benedict reflects that when reason renounces faith in revelation or the moral wisdom of the great religions, it has led to scientific developments which in some cases evoke fear among our contemporaries. Just as man needs God in order to sustain hope, reason needs faith to make the world a more human place. "Reason needs faith to be completely itself,” the pope says.
Pope Benedict also observes that prayer leads to hope. "A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. . . . When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God,” he says.
He adds that action and suffering are also settings for learning hope. "We can try to limit suffering, to fight against it, but we cannot eliminate it,” he says. "It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love.”
A person "cannot accept another's suffering unless he personally is able to find meaning in suffering, a path of purification and growth in maturity, a journey of hope. Indeed, to accept the ‘other’ who suffers, means that I take up his suffering in such a way that it becomes mine also. Because it has now become a shared suffering, though, in which another person is present, this suffering is penetrated by the light of love,” he says also.
Pope Benedict highlights the practice of praying for the dead saying it reveals another important element of the Christian concept of hope. "As Christians we should never limit ourselves to asking: how can I save myself? We should also ask: what can I do in order that others may be saved and that for them too the star of hope may rise? Then I will have done my utmost for my own personal salvation as well,” he says.
Spe salvi is the second encyclical of Pope Benedict. His first, "Deus caritas est,” (God is love) explored the meaning of Christian love and how it is expressed in everyday life. He issued it December 25, 2005.
Click here to read the encyclical. Click here to download the encyclical.
Stem cell breakthrough advances science without "ethical landmines," says Cardinal
"Studies published this week in the journals Cell and Science offer new hope for advancing stem cell research and therapies while fully respecting the dignity of human life.
"Scientists in Japan and Wisconsin used four genes to ‘reprogram’ ordinary adult human cells, creating ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ (iPS cells). James Thomson, head of the Wisconsin team and the founder of human embryonic stem cell research, says these cells ‘meet the defining criteria’ for pluripotent human embryonic stem cells, ‘with the significant exception that the iPS cells are not derived from embryos.’
"Thus the goal sought for years through failed attempts at human cloning – the production of ‘pluripotent’ stem cells that are an exact genetic match to a patient – has been brought within reach by an ethical procedure. This technology avoids the many ethical landmines associated with embryonic stem cell research: it does not clone or destroy human embryos, does not harm or exploit women for their eggs, and does not blur the line between human beings and other species through desperate efforts to make human embryos using animal eggs. Ian Wilmut, head of the team that cloned ‘Dolly’ the sheep, now says he is abandoning efforts at human ‘therapeutic cloning’ to pursue this adult cell reprogramming avenue instead, because it is technically superior as well as ‘easier to accept socially.’
"I am grateful today for scientists who took up the challenge of finding morally acceptable ways to pursue stem cell research, and for government leaders who have encouraged and funded such avenues. This advance reminds us once again that medical progress and respect for human life are not in conflict; they can and should support and enrich one another for the good of all.”
Ralph McCloud, Texas Social Ministry Leader, Named To Head Catholic Campaign for Human Development
TCC congratulates Ralph McCloud, leader of the Diocese of Fort Worth’s Department for Community and Pastoral Services, for being named head of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). CCHD is the bishops’ anti-poverty program which funds community organizing and economic development projects that address root causes of poverty in the United States.
CCHD is part of the Human Development, Justice and Peace Department of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In his new position, McCloud will lead and coordinate on a national level CCHD’s grant-making and the promotion and integration of CCHD’s domestic anti-poverty work.
McCloud has coordinated the peace and justice ministry in the Fort Worth Diocese and directed CCHD in the diocese since 1995. He has headed the diocese’s African American ministries since 1990. He also serves as a board member of the Roundtable, the National Association of Diocesan Social Ministry Directors.
Bishop Kevin Vann of Fort Worth has praised the appointment saying, "Ralph has served the Diocese of Fort Worth for 14 years, assisting faithfully both the late Bishop Joseph Delaney and myself. He will be a great asset at the USCCB.”
US Bishops speak on War in Iraq
During their November 2007 meeting, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling for Bipartisan Cooperation on a Responsible Transition in Iraq, as well as FAQs on the War in Iraq. Click hereto read these documents.
Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States
Respect for the dignity of every human being is a foundation for Catholic teaching about "faithful citizenship.” The statement explains the necessity of opposing actions that are intrinsically wrong, such as abortion and euthanasia, because these actions involve directly and intentionally ending an innocent human life. It also affirms the obligation to promote the common good by combating such threats to human life and dignity as hunger, poverty, racism, unjust immigration policies, and unjust war. "Both opposing evil and doing good are essential obligations.”
The bishops warn of two temptations for Catholics in public life. "The first is a moral equivalence that makes no ethical distinctions between different kinds of issues involving human life and dignity. The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life…is always wrong and is not just one issue among many. It must always be opposed.” A second temptation involves "dismissing or ignoring other serious threats to human life and dignity. Racism and other unjust discrimination, torture, the use of the death penalty, resorting to unjust war, war crimes, the failure to respond to those who are suffering from hunger or lack health care, or unjust immigration policies are all serious moral issues that challenge our consciences and require us to act.”
The bishops call Catholics to a different kind of political engagement shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the protection of the weak and the vulnerable.” They add, "Participation in political life in light of fundamental moral principles is an essential duty for every Catholic and all people of good will.”
The bishops also acknowledge the challenges faced by Catholic voters. "Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised sensing that no party and too few candidates fully share the Church’s comprehensive commitment to the dignity of the human person.” They add, "As Catholics we are not single issues voters. A candidate’s position on a single issue is not sufficient to guarantee a voter’s support. Yet a candidate’s position on a single issue that involves an intrinsic evil, such as support for legal abortion or the promotion of racism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support.”
Despite these challenges, the statement urges Catholics "to become more involved: running for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials.” It suggests that Catholics should be "guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group.” As they prepare for the elections, the statement says "Catholic voters should use Catholic teaching to examine candidates’ positions on issues and should consider candidates’ integrity, philosophy, and performance.”
The twofold purpose of punishment is to encourage the re-insertion of the condemned person into society and also to foster a justice that reconciles, a justice capable of restoring harmony in social relationships disrupted by the criminal act committed (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #402 and #403).
The Act provides funding for many different programs that assist in reintegration including:
DemonstrationGrants and Mentoring Grants.Provides grants to promote the safe and successful re-integration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated.
Offender Reentry Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Drug Treatment Program. Creates grants to improve the availability of drug treatment to offenders and their families.
Federal Reentry Initiative, Reentry Research, National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center. Authorizes research on re-entry. The Act has passed through the House and its Senate committee, so now is the time to contact our Senators in support of it.
Clickhereto contact Senator Hutchison. Clickhereto contact Senator Cornyn.
Sample Message:
I am asking you to please support the Second Chance Act which eases the transition from prison or jail into the community. As a Catholic, I believe that public authority must exercise the right and the duty to inflict punishment but I also believe that punishment is an instrument for the correction of the offender and an opportunity for rehabilitation that ideally leads to re-insertion of the condemned person into society. The Second Chance Act will help with rehabilitation and re-insertion by funding mentoring, drug treatment programs, and research on re-entry. This Act is a great opportunity to fulfill the mission of the Texas criminal justice system to promote positive change in offender behavior and to reintegrate offenders into society.
Again, I urge you to please support the Second Chance Act. Thank you for your time.
Support the Mexico City Policy
Urge your US House Representative and Senators to support the Mexico City Policy today! Click here for a sample message and legislator contact information.
The Mexico City Policy specifies that federal funds for family planning are not available to non-governmental organizations that perform and promote abortion as a method of family planning in other countries. Abortion, according to our Catholic Teaching, is an unspeakable crime.
"Procured abortion is the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence, extending from conception to birth.
The unborn child is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying him or her in the womb. And yet sometimes it is precisely the mother herself who makes the decision and asks for the child to be eliminated, and who then goes about having it done. It is true that the decision to have an abortion is often tragic and painful for the mother, insofar as the decision to rid herself of the fruit of conception is not made for purely selfish reasons or out of convenience, but out of a desire to protect certain important values such as her own health or a decent standard of living for the other members of the family. Sometimes it is feared that the child to be born would live in such conditions that it would be better if the birth did not take place. Nevertheless, these reasons and others like them, however serious and tragic, can never justify the deliberate killing of an innocent human being (Evangelium Vitae, 58).”
Cardinal Rigali, Chairman for the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life activities, wrote a letter earlier this year asking for support of the Mexico City Policy, stating,
"The Mexico City Policy was promulgated by President Reagan in 1984 and has continued in law since then, except for an eight-year gap during the Clinton administration. It was first announced at the 1984 United Nations International Conference on Population in Mexico City, where member nations approved the following policy in their final report: " Governments are urged…to take appropriate steps to help women avoid abortion, which in no case should be promoted as a method of family planning, and whenever possible, provide for the humane treatment and counseling of women who have had recourse to abortion.” (To read Cardinal Rigali’s full letter, click here)
Contact your US Senators and Representative today!
To contact your House Representative, clickhere. Click hereto contact Senator Hutchison. Click hereto contact Senator Cornyn.
Sample Message:
I am writing to urge you to support the Mexico City Policy which prohibits non-governmental organizations that perform and promote abortion from receiving federal funds for family planning. As a Catholic I believe that abortion is always wrong because it violates the dignity of the unborn human life. I also believe that abortion is a false "answer” to family planning.
Again, I urge you to support the Mexico City Policy. Thank you for your time.
Support SCHIP and the Unborn Child Rule The Senate is expected to vote on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill this week. The SCHIP program is now in the process of being reauthorized. Temporary funding for SCHIP has been included in the Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 52) that will keep the government running to November 16, 2007. A first bill (H.R. 976) was vetoed by the president, and the veto was sustained. A revised bill (H.R. 3963) was passed by the House on October 25, 2007 by a vote of 265-142. This is not a veto proof majority. It is expected that the Senate will act on the legislation during this week. The president has threatened to veto the revised bill in its current form.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated:
"[We have] worked persistently to support and strengthen the nation’s vital efforts to provide adequate and affordable health care, especially to the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. We have joined with Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA to encourage Congress to strengthen, expand and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We urge the Congress not to turn away from this essential national priority, but to renew its efforts to enact a strong, effective and improved national investment in the health of our children.
Catholic teaching affirms the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being. We insist that access to adequate health care is a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care." Please call your Senators and tell them to support a State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill that includes codifying the unborn child rule. See below for a sample message and contact information for Senators Cornyn and Hutchison.
For more information on the unborn child rule click here.
To see a copy of at letter from USCCB to the Senators, click here.
Sample Message:
Dear Senator, please help Congress improve the SCHIP bill and garner strong bipartisan support. The bill can be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP by making the regulation providing states the option to enroll the unborn child in their SCHIP programs permanent.
A final SCHIP reauthorization should codify the unborn child rule, so states are secure in being able to choose life-affirming health services for needy children and their mothers without involvement in abortion. Without the unborn child option, the only way states could provide prenatal care would be by defining the pregnant woman as the patient in need of "child health assistance," which would trigger funding for abortion. Also, many children born as U.S. citizens would not receive needed prenatal care because of their mother’s immigration status.
The legislation should also maintain and expand coverage, reduce enrollment barriers, and expand outreach. Sufficient funding should be included in order to provide health care coverage to an additional four million more low-income children, reducing the number of uninsured children by nearly half.
DREAM Act 10/24/2007 The US Senate is expected to vote on the DREAM act today, Wednesday, October 24. Bishop Wenski of the Diocese of Orlando is a vocal supporter of the DREAM act has stated:
"The DREAM act, which stands for the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would allow immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S., graduated from high school here, and can demonstrate good moral character to qualify for "conditional lawful permanent resident" status, which would normally last for six years. During the conditional period, the immigrant would be required to go to college, join the military, or work a significant number of hours of community service. At the end of the conditional period, those who meet at least one of these requirements would be eligible for regular lawful permanent-resident status.
If enacted, the Dream Act would have a life-changing impact on the students who qualify. And not only on the qualifying students, but all of American society would benefit as the success stories of earlier generations of child immigrants -- like the Cuban children of the 1960s Operation "Pedro Pan" have amply demonstrated. These children talk like Americans -- in perfect U.S. accents; they think like Americans -- sometimes to the consternation of their parents; they certainly eat like Americans." (Quoted from an opinion submitted to the Orlando Sentinal).
TCC is requesting that you contact Senators Cornyn and Hutchisontoday to state your support for the Dream Act.
A sample message is:Please vote FOR the DREAM Act (S. 774), a bipartisan piece of legislation sponsored by Senators Durbin (D-IL), Hagel (R-NE), and Lugar (R-IN). The DREAM Act provides a 6-year path to legal status for individuals who were brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented children and who have stayed in school and out of trouble. This year, about 65,000 of these young people will graduate from high school. These graduates cannot put their lives on hold while Congress debates, so the DREAM Act must pass now, not next year or the year after that. So please SUPPORT this important legislation.
To contact Senator Cornyn call (202) 224-2934 or click hereto find a local phone number. To email him, click here.
To contact Senator Hutchison call (202) 224-5922 or click
hereand scroll to the bottom of the page to find a local phone number. To email her, click here.
For more information on the DREAM ACT go to the Justice for Immigrants action site here.
Congratulations to Cardinal-designate Daniel DiNardo! The Texas Catholic Conference congratulates Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo, who was recently named Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI. He will be installed at the Vatican on November 24, 2007, along with 22 others. A Cardinal is appointed by the Pope to serve as one of his key advisers. The College of Cardinals is also the body that elects new popes. "This appointment is wonderful news,” stated Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza, also of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. "Archbishop DiNardo is a hardworking wonderful bishop who is greatly appreciated both here in his diocese and in Rome. This appointment is a recognition of his wonderful priestly qualities, and is an important recognition by the Vatican of the Church of Galveston-Houston, of the South and of the Southwest.” Cardinal-designate DiNardo, currently Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, will be the state’s first Cardinal. He was appointed Archbishop of Galveston-Houston in February, 2006, making him the pastoral leader of 1.3 million Catholics in the Archdiocese. Texas has over 7 million Catholics.
"Archbishop DiNardo’s appointment is a particular joy to Texas, a state rich in Catholic history and presence,” stated Bishop James Tamayo of the Diocese of Laredo, who is the previous chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Hispanic Affairs.
In addition, Bishop Tamayo recognizes the importance of this appointment for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, an area with the second largest population of Hispanics in the United States. "I am delighted that we are acknowledged by the Holy Father for our years of fidelity to the Church and the continued growth of the Church in the Southwest. I think it is distinct honor for the Southwest part of the United States to have a Cardinal within our territory.”
Attesting to his personal experiences with Cardinal-designate DiNardo, Bishop Tamayo stated, "Having served as an auxiliary bishop in the community of Galveston-Houston, I am delighted that Archbishop DiNardo’s care and concern for the multicultural communities of that Archdiocese are recognized by Rome, bestowing honor not only upon himself, but also the multicultural church in Galveston-Houston.”
Cardinal-designate DiNardo currently serves on the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He also serves as the USCCB Advisor to the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and the National Catholic Partnership for Persons with Disabilities, Washington, D.C.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI named 23 new cardinals, including U.S. Archbishop John P. Foley, grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, and U.S. Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, the first cardinal from a Texas diocese.
The pope announced the names at the end of his weekly general audience Oct. 17 and said he would formally install the cardinals during a special consistory at the Vatican Nov. 24.
Cardinal-designate Foley was in St. Peter's Square when the announcement was made; he told Catholic News Servicehe had gone into the square, wading into the midst of the crowd, after going to a doctor's appointment.
While rumors were running strong that the pope would name cardinals at the end of the audience and his nomination was almost a given, Cardinal-designate Foley said he was shocked to be the second name announced by the pope. The order in which the cardinals are announced determines their seniority with the College of Cardinals, which has little practical effect except in liturgical processions.
Naming 18 cardinals under the age of 80, the age limit set for voting in a papal conclave, Pope Benedict said he was setting aside the limit of 120 potential papal electors established by Pope Paul VI and confirmed by Pope John Paul II.
After the new cardinals are installed in late November, there will be 121 potential voters.
The 23 new cardinals will bring the total membership of the College of Cardinals to 202.
The nomination of Cardinals-designate Foley and DiNardo brings to 17 the number of U.S. cardinals; after the consistory, the U.S. contingent will include 13 potential papal electors.
The November ceremony will mark the second time Pope Benedict has created cardinals since his election in April 2005. At a March 2006 consistory, he created 15 new cardinals.
The new cardinals represent 15 countries on five continents. Eight of the new cardinals are current or retired Vatican officials, 13 are current or retired heads of archdioceses around the world and two are former rectors of the main pontifical universities in Rome.
The Texas Catholic Conference has issued a statement regarding Amnesty International's new policy change. 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.
"It is a day for celebration for the Catholic Church as Pope Benedict XVI has named twenty-three new cardinals, including 2 from the United States. We especially send our prayers and congratulations to Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese. He will be the first cardinal from the state of Texas to serve the Church. His integrity and unselfish service to God’s people has been a blessing. I look forward to continuing to work with him on issues important to the life of the Church in Texas.”
-Archbishop José H. Gomez, S.T.D., Archdiocese of San Antonio
--- "This is a first-ever in the great state of Texas, and we need to celebrate this wonderful event. Congratulations, dear Cardinal DiNardo. May God pour out many blessings upon you."
–Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI Diocese of San Angelo --- "This is indeed a great honor for Texas.The Holy Father has chosen a great person who I know will represent Texas and the United States at the highest level.We are pleased not only for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston but for all Catholics in Texas.”
-Bishop Kevin Farrell, Diocese of Dallas --- "Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has honored the South and especially the Church in Texas by elevating Archbishop DiNardo to the level of Cardinal."
-Bishop Edmond Carmody, Diocese of Corpus Christi --- "Pope Benedict XVI has accorded great honor to this deserving man and to the Texas see of Galveston-Houston. The Diocese of Galveston was an ancient see, the mother diocese of all the dioceses in the State of Texas today. From that one small community missionaries went out into the wilderness to preach the good news of the Gospel and from that somewhat larger faith community today, the pope has selected a good and holy man to become a cardinal.
Cardinal-designate DiNardo is a man of wide experience, a man of great intelligence, a man of infectious enthusiasm. He will be for us a symbol of the growth of our faith over the centuries and a light into the future. He will receive his red hat in a November 24 consistory at the Vatican,just two days after the American Thanksgiving. That Saturday will be a day of great rejoicing in Texas."
-Bishop Álvaro Corrada, SJ, Diocese of Tyler --- "As the senior bishop in the Metropolitan Province of Galveston-Houston, I have congratulated Cardinal-designate Daniel DiNardo with great joy. The well deserved honor bestowed upon our Archbishop speaks to his exceptional leadership ability as well as to the rich Catholic heritage in the State of Texas."
-Bishop Raymundo J. Peña, Diocese of Brownsville --- "The naming of Archbishop DiNardo as a Cardinal is a great blessing for the South and a laudable recognition of the steadfastness and vitality of the Catholic Church in Texas. Since the start of my days in the seminary in 1946, I have witnessed the creation of 9 new dioceses in Texas (of the present 15).
I had the privilege of knowing Cardinal-Elect DiNardo in 1987 when he was one of my professors in Rome for a Continuing Education course for priests. He is an experienced, highly capable shepherd.
The Diocese of Amarillo and I congratulate Cardinal-Elect DiNardo and praise God for his new position as a Prince of the Church!"
-Bishop John W. Yanta, Diocese of Amarillo
---
"The elevation of Archbishop Daniel DiNardoto cardinal is cause for great joy and celebration in Texas. It is a clear indication of Pope Benedict XVI’s awareness of the growth of the Catholic Church in Texas. Archbishop DiNardo has been a tireless co-worker in the vineyard of the Lord and I have enjoyed sharing ministry with him. The people of the Diocese of Austin offer congratulations and prayers to him.”
-Bishop Gregory Aymond, Diocese ofAustin
September 18, 2007
Zambia: An Emerging Democracy Jennifer Carr, Associate Director
Zambia won its independence from Britain in 1964 and its first draft transitional constitution was developed in 1973. The President and Parliament of Zambia are beginning to form a constitutional assembly to create a constitution that will stand the test of time. Staff from JCTR are heavily involved in this process. Simpson, an analyst at the center, provided the non-governmental organization position on the draft constitution at the UN General Assembly. Their analysis is that the first draft only contains human and civil rights and is missing economic, social, and religious rights. The current debate centers around who gets a place at the assembly.
These people have the passion of our forefathers—they are fighting for a bill of rights and a balance of powers among their president, parliament, and the people. But the entire process is a peaceful democratic process. Development is succeeding in Zambia as people are moving from less human conditions to more human conditions.
After all of our site visits and travels through the country on deep sand roads, this meeting cemented the reality of life in a community without infrastructure or a safety net. Previously the safety net had been the villages. But the people of Zambia are facing the loss of that safety net due to HIV/AIDS and food insecurity. The newly developed national government is struggling to keep up. ..read more..
I have to admit that I didn’t fully understand what this term meant until listening to the people of Zambia tell their stories. In the past, most villages lived off of subsistence farming and local fish or livestock. In the meetings we had in the Diocese of Mongu and the Diocese of Livingstone, we learned that the fish of the Zambezi river are toxic and can no longer be eaten. Some villages have lost entire herds of cattle to foot-and-mouth disease. With climate change, the past ten years have been a struggle for survival as Zambia has bounced from severe droughts to massive floods, both of which destroy the local harvest. When a whole season’s crop fails, the fish in the river are poisoned, and all the cattle die, the people in the villages are left without food to eat or sell. We drove for a hundred miles at a time without seeing any sign of a store or market to buy food. Those in the villages have not yet adapted to the climate change in Zambia that will force them to learn to grow different crops which are more secure in times of drought or famine. Catholic Relief Services’ food security program assists farmers with the equipment and seed to farm more stable crops.
What Can You Do?
Participate in our democracy—though we can all get fed up with the politics at times, the process is a gift. Texans know the value and importance of fish, livestock, and agriculture. Congress will be considering food security issues in fall—stay tuned to TCC’s website and CRS action alerts for ways that you can advocate for programs that provide a safety net both at home and abroad..
September 17, 2007
Today’s Zambia Reflection is by Father Juan Molina, CRS Southwest Regional Office.
Diocese of Livingstone-South of Western Province and Southern Province I have traveled in Africa several times before but the last two days have once again given me a new perspective to the African experience. We traveled for over six hours on sandy roads (with absolutely no pavement--yes, not even a little tarmac whatsoever-- to reach the Mission Hospital in the town of Sichili. The days have gone so far that the experiences of today, Saturday, are already fading—but the contrasts between yesterday and today are startling as are the contrasts between the richest and the poorest areas of the world, even the developing world.
I have been reflecting not only on the difference urbanization and medical systems make on people’s lives, but also on those who built those systems.
Sichili Mission Hospital
Many people in the United States say that much of the medical and school systems were built by the missionary nuns and brothers of old. The same seems to be true in Africa, just with a modern turn. Sichili Mission hospital was built a long time ago by an Irish congregation of women Religious. They built what must have been at the time a state-of-the-art mission hospital. But now, about fifty years later, the hospital is showing its age and the sisters are no longer here. In addition, HIV and AIDS are ravaging this region and the hospital serves a good number of those on Anti-retroviral therapy. The hospital also lacks 24-hour electricity and much of the major equipment to run a modern day hospital. We saw many patients whose blood counts (especially the CD-4 counts) cannot be performed because the hospital can only afford about 1-2 hours of electricity in the evening. In a town that has no electricity system at all and the hospital has to purchase fuel for a generator from a gas station 128 miles away. They use limited solar panel electricity during day light hours. The little electricity the hospital can afford is vital.
The Missionary Call
ut more vital are the three Indian sisters that now serve this hospital. CRS helps these Sisters carry on the work of healing the poorest of the poor. Given the decline of vocations in the western world, it is the missionaries from the developing world that are now stepping up to the call of God to serve the poorest of the poor. I met the three sisters from India who take care of the hospital in Sichili. I was particularly impressed by Sister Cruz, a young woman from the state of Tamil Nadu in India, who is the hospital administrator. Besides holiness, she exuded such love for the people of Sichili. Such was her love that she even went with us to a village celebration involving much traditional dance. In many ways I wish I had the holiness and dedication Sister Cruz has. All I could do for her was celebrate Mass for her community and give her a blessing on her feastday—the Triumph of the Cross.
But another interesting reflection that ensued in my mind from meeting these sisters was to meditate on the work many Irish and American missionaries did in the past. They left many buildings and many faithful Catholics in these lands. With their diminishing numbers, these mission places are now crumbling, if you will, and so is some of the funding that these missionaries could raise back in their home countries. The challenge for those of us still dedicated to the work of the church is to find new ways to partner with the new missionaries.
Diocese of Livingstone
Food program
We left Sichili early by 7 am and visited on Saturday a food program funded by the U.S. government entitled C-FAARM, supported by US Public Law 480. The program was interesting to me in that it is not only designed to relieve food insecurity in the area but also because it is designed to promote long-term self-reliance among the villagers. This is so because the program can be extended in several ways. The people who cannot work (the aged, the handicapped, and the like) receive food from the generosity of the American people for free. The second group of people who gets food work in building "community assets” (like a school or a clinic) in exchange for food. The reason why the program was established is because the southern part of the western province of Zambia and the Southern Province are drought prone and thus it is common for the people in the area to have years in which they are not able to grow enough sustenance food on their own. There is also a problem with water conservation and irrigation. And so CRS and USAID step in to help those most in need.
United Church of Zambia Hospital in Mwandi.
In the afternoon we visited the Hospital in Mwandi under the Sponsorship of the United Church of Zambia. This hospital, being in a larger city and thus having the amenities of a modern developing world city, has 24-hour electricity and more modern machines than the Mission Hospital in Sichili. But, what struck me the most in this hospital was the collaboration among the Christian communities. The hospital was originally built by the Presbyterian church. But, now CRS funds their Antiretroviral Therapy Program. Working together to fight the HIV/AIDS disease is extremely important for the Christian churches, especially in Southern Africa. And for me the reason is simple: we can unite our hearts, our minds, and our efforts to bring Christ’s healing to those in need.
A message from Paul Macek, CRS Zambia Country Representative:
What you can do? In solidarity with the poor and suffering in Zambia, try to skip a meal tomorrow. During lent, Christ calls us abstain from something we usually enjoy. Some avoid chocolate, some give up TV. If you skip a meal, you can for a fleeting moment reflect on the powerful experience of having an empty stomach. Please think now about trying to take a power heavy drug on an empty stomach. If you get this far, you can now visualize what many of the 14,000 patients on life-saving drugs experience every day. Why is this important? I’ve heard every day I’ve been here that food is the best medicine and medicine that sadly many people lack. We’ve got to figure out a way to ensure that people who are now living longer and hopefully healthy lives are capable caring for their families, putting a meal on the table, and getting their children to school. The poor must be at the heart of the church and we need to uplift them. Try forgetting one meal tomorrow and just for moment think about what we’ve seen these past couple days. These people—the poorest of the poor in Zambia—do not eat many a meal, not just during lent but many days throughout the day.
What you can do
Please sign up at the CRS legislative Center to get updates on how CRS works with the U.S. Government and the Catholic community to bring help to those in Zambia (http://actioncenter.crs.org/)
September 15, 2007
We are back in Lusaka after three days of very difficult travel on sand roads through hills and rough terrain. We visited some of the poorest parts of Zambia and stayed at a mission hospital with only solar power during the day and no electricity during the night. All is well and we hope you enjoy the next post which will be brought to you by Father Juan Molina of Catholic Relief Services.
September 12, 2007
Diocese of Mongu—Western Province of Zambia
Days here seem are so full that it’s difficult to have the discipline to sit down and write the nightly reflections. I know that if I don’t write it out each evening, then my memories of the individual dioceses and people will be blurred.
Last night was our first night to sleep in beds since Saturday so we all started today much more refreshed and ready. We began our day with a seven hour drive to the Diocese of Mongu. We were pleased that we had a "tar” road for the entire journey and about 160 miles of the journey was through the Kanju National Park where we saw our first wildlife—elephants, impalas, warthogs, monkeys, and giant birds.
Derek was today’s driver and his smile and joy matched Limba’s. He has also been with CRS for about three years. He told us that since working for CRS he has learned so much about helping people from talking with the delegations that he drives. Derek and his mother themselves take care of have four orphans—his cousins—whom he provides with education, clothing, and shelter. He is hopeful that his cousins will be educated through at least 8th grade so that they can learn enough get good jobs to help pay for the needs of their younger siblings who are still staying in the villages.
Marriage and Community:
On our journey we also learned from Derek and Sonia, (CRS Zambia staff) about the traditional wedding ceremonies and rituals practiced in Zambia. Derek was recently the best man in his best friend’s wedding and he had the experience of participating in a traditional "Kitchen Party.” It’s somewhat similar to a wedding shower that Americans have, but more of the focus is on mentoring and educating the bride and groom on married life. The married men take the groom into a room and provide guidance and mentorship on women and being married and the woman do the same for the bride. Then, the groomsmen and elder married man arrive at the home of the bride bearing gifts. The groom is empty handed, but the other men bring a fruit basket of sweet fruits, fresh flowers, and a cake. Derek shared with us, "We show up all together with these gifts to remind the bride that the groom was not born alone. He came into the world with others and the gifts of others are to be part of the support of the marriage.” Each of the gifts symbolizes an important aspect of married life: to have sweet things (the cake), to eat nutritious food, (the fruit) and to cherish each other with gifts of affection (the flowers).
Mongu Diocesan Briefing:
Finally, we arrived at the Mongu diocesan offices for a briefing with Bishop Paul Duffy, OMI, and his staff about the roles of CRS programs in his diocese. Bishop Duffy said that the major difference between CRS and other development and aid organizations is that CRS is committed in the long-term. He shared with us that many other groups "fly by night”; they come in for a short one-day visit. That is in contrast to CRS, who has remained a consistent presence. See the video coming soon for more from Bishop Duffy.
The diocese of Mongu is the newest of the 10 dioceses of Zambia and was established in 1997. It began as a diocese with only 2 priests and 11 parishes and in the last ten years has grown to 13 priests and 13 parishes. This June they ordained four new priests, the largest number ordained at once in the whole region. The population of the diocese of 600,000 and it is about 55,000 square miles, roughly the size of the state of New York. Like many U.S. dioceses, they struggle with having enough priests, catechists, and staff to carry out evangelization efforts throughout the diocese. Small Christian Communities have been set up throughout the diocese and have assisted in the evangelization efforts. The diocese owns one of the only two radio stations in the region, Oblate Radio. In addition, there are three diocesan schools, one of them is the only one that allows girls to attend secondary school because the government secondary school is only for boys. In addition, the diocese operates a teacher training college, a homecraft center, one mission hospital, and two homes for the handicapped.
CRS Programs in Diocese of Mongu:
Home Based Care:
The social ministry of the diocese began with the founding of the Home Based Care program as a result of the high prevalence of HIV in the diocese (1 in 5 people is HIV+). Many people were terminally ill and could not provide for their families and health clinics were not adequate to accommodate the number of people in need. The program began in 1997 with 10 patients at the Cathedral. Today, there are more than 2000 on the register. Volunteer care givers go out to the homes to care for the patients and now with the more widespread distribution of AIDS medications, very few patients are found in bed when the volunteers arrive. They are able to be up and taking care of the family.
Orphans and Vulnerable Children:
Because of the high rate of HIV/AIDS deaths, children are being orphaned and left vulnerable and alone. CRS operates a program for these children to help find family members to place the orphans for care. Some guardians in the program are caring for 10 or more orphans in their homes. The CRS program assists the children by paying school fees, exam fees, providing shelter over their heads to sleep at night. They teach the guardians how to make knitting and weaving crafts to sell in order to become self-sufficient. As you can see, our delegation was happy to help by shopping among the local crafts for our souvenirs to take home!
Talking with the children themselves was a treat. While their pain was sometimes evident in their eyes, they still had much joy to share. Several of the young ladies shared their dreams with us. One even hoped to become a journalist to tell the stories of her friends and their lives.
Food Security:
The diocese of Mongu is prone to extreme weather. Some years are marked by terrible and prolonged droughts while others years there are floods. This poses particular problems for food security. Derek shared with us on the trip that he is always grateful after a rainy season because then the children can pick mangos and other fruit as they walk the 7 miles to school each day. When the rain doesn’t come, the fruit doesn’t come and the children don’t have as much to eat.
Because of the Zambezi river runs through it, Mongu is known for having the best fish in Zambia—that was until this July. Suddenly in July the fish started having sores and blisters all over them. This condition is believed to be viral but the cause of the virus is unknown. Some speculate that the condition is a result of pollution from a new diamond mine that started using the Zambezi to harvest diamonds this year. Regardless of its source, the illness means that the people of the region have lost a major source of both food and industry because the fish from the river are diseased and cannot be eaten. So far, there have been no reports of similar issues or symptoms among the people who use the Zambezi river waters.
The Food Security program was established to bring families into self-sufficiency by providing them with seeds for food. After a family has completed the harvest of these seeds, they are then to pass on seeds to another family in the village to provide similar assistance.
Diocesan Lobby Efforts:
Originally, the AIDS medication program had a cost-share component which was required by the Zambian government but was still out of reach of most of the patients in care. Through advocacy and lobby efforts, the diocese put pressure on the government which led to the program operating for free. The Catholic Commission for Justice Peace is the branch of the diocese that does the advocacy education and lobbying. They help the people to understand what is expected from the government and how to get involved in the process.
These programs are a vital source of life for the community. The vast majority of the recipients of the assistance are not Catholic. As were leaving the meeting, Bishop Duffy reminded us all that we don’t assist people because they are Catholic. He reflected: "As Catholics, we are at the service of humanity. We help them because they are in need.”
September 11, 2007
Reflections from Lusaka, Zambia
We arrived into Lusaka this morning to a spectacular African sunrise. After filing through customs we were greeted by several CRS local Zambian staff members whose amazing smiles made us forget the second night of sleeping on a plane. Several of us piled into one of the CRS standard issue Land Rovers with a quiet, but happy driver named Limba.
Limba is from the Western Province of Zambia (the Diocese of Mongu or Livingstone) but got the job with CRS in Lusaka as a driver and a mechanic.
I was surprised to learn that CRS Zambia has a fleet of over 80 vehicles. Zambia is about the size of Texas and although 60% of the countries residents reside in the cities, most of the country is rural and there are very few actual highways. In order to serve the country’s most poor and underserved rural areas, vehicles are needed that can make the roadless journeys across the country. Limba’s smile and joy are so infectious that I have stuck with him as my driver so far today and it has been nice. He and the other 3 drivers will be with us throughout the trip.
We had a slight change to today’s schedule; our meeting with the Zambian Episcopal Conference was rescheduled until Monday. It turned out to be a nice break because our exhaustion really set in during the afternoon hours when we were scheduled to meet with the Archbishop. We hope that on Monday we are better rested and ready for that meeting.
Our briefing at the CRS office was intense. In the coming days as we visit each of the CRS projects, I’ll be sharing a little bit about the goals of each of the projects from today’s briefing. Dr. Sylvester, director of the CRS AIDS Relief project shared with us why he left government work to come work for CRS. See my interview with him here
The resounding message we heard loud and clear from all staff at today’s briefing was the critical importance of a continuous commitment to long-term development and HIV/AIDS care. In the global fight against AIDS, people’s lives are at stake—now that we have started AIDS treatment here, we cannot walk away. Share this message with your member of Congress when you call him/her to request an increase in the PEPFAR funding for global HIV/AIDS.
U.S. Embassy Visit to Ambassador Martinez
Our meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia was open and informative. Ambassador Martinez first shared with our delegation how clearly she understands that America can’t walk away from the PEPFAR funding—even if the program changes names. She recognizes that our commitment to those on AIDS treatment must continue but that our role should clearly include looking for local sustainability to continue the program. Our meeting also included discussions on the need for Zambia to renegotiate the Copper royalties and to assess the environmental impacts of women working in copper mines—particularly the risks to their unborn children.
September 11 Reflection
About a half an hour into our meeting with the Ambassador she asked us to take a little break and join her in the embassy courtyard for a moment of remembrance for 9-11-01. At all U.S. embassies around the world, the moment when the planes hit the tower were marked with the reading of a proclamation and a few moments of silence. I was struck that we were here in Lusaka at a U.S. Embassy in silent prayer with our fellow Americans around the world. But not just our fellow Americans. The Zambia staff also joined us outside at the half-mast flag and bowed their heads with the same fervor that we did. In many developing countries the relationships of the U.S. as a donor country and the locals can be strained and sometimes resentful. We saw solidarity in action today as our Zambian brothers and sisters were united with us in this moment of prayer. That is the message of our whole trip…that we really are all connected—we are one world.
Tomorrow:
Tomorrow morning we’re off around 7:00 a.m. for the six or seven hour trek to the Diocese of Mongu. We will likely see our first true wildlife on tomorrow’s drive. I’m told that this will be one of our tougher locations because Mongu is a flood plane for the Zambezi river so the mosquitoes will be much heavier—which means not only sleeping under nets, but sleeping doused in insect repellant! However, the bright spot in the visit will be a visit with Bishop Paul Duffy, OMI, who is familiar to many in Texas and from the same Oblate community as our own Bishop Pfeifer, OMI of the Diocese of San Angelo.
September 10, 2007
Jennifer Carr from London:
So far our trip is going well. We landed here in London this morning at 10:00 and were fortunate enough to get off the plane and walk around London for a few hours to stretch our legs before our ten hour flight to Lusaka this evening.
This part of the trip has been great for getting to know one another. Our delegation of 16 includes several CRS staff members and diocesan directors of social action. We have diverse backgrounds and will likely learn much from each other. Please keep the rest of our journey in your prayers--the real adventure begins tomorrow morning when we arrive in Lusaka. God Bless!
September 8, 2007
The Journey to Zambia: Jennifer Carr, Associate Director
I leave tomorrow, Sunday, for the journey to Zambia. One of our goals of this trip is to share the experience virtually. Catholic Relief Services has done a tremendous job of briefing the delegation in preparation for the journey.
After two days of travel from Austin to Zambia’s capitol city, Lusaka, our delegation will hit the ground running on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Our first official meeting is with Archbishop Mpundu, Fr. Joe Koma Koma and Sam Mulafulafu at the Zambian Episcopal Conference (ZEC). (The use of the term "Episcopal” by the Catholic Church usually refers to the Bishops of the Church rather than the Episcopal or Anglican denomination.) The ZEC is the Zambian version of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Texas Catholic Conference is the U.S. state level of the ZEC. One of the beauties and comforts of our Church is that we are universal. Despite the fact that I will be a world away from home, I have a clear context for the roles and relationships abroad.
After the meeting with Archbishop and staff at the Zambian Episcopal Conference, we’ll be meeting with the U.S. Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy. Again, I find comfort in the familiar on this trip. The Texas Catholic Conference reaches out to our state government leaders in the same ways that the Zambian Conference reaches out to their government leaders. Why do we do this? Because our faith compels it. The Gospel makes clear our relationship as brothers and sisters and our prophetic role in seeking greater respect for the life and dignity of the human person.
From the Catholic Relief Services Briefing Book: The Catholic Church in Zambia
The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) is the college of Catholic Bishops in Zambia and is headed by the President Archbishop Telespore George Mpundu, Coadjutor for Lusaka Archdiocese and Apostolic Administrator for Mpika Diocese.
Currently there are more than an estimated 2.5 million Catholics in Zambia, a country of 10 million people. With approximately 25 percent of the total population in the country Catholic, the country has more than 400 parishes and 2,300 priests and religious men and women. The country is divided in 10 Ecclesiastical territories commonly known as Catholic Dioceses.
In terms of social intervention, the early pastoral work of the Church in Zambia was basically one of giving service. The missionaries were seen as the service providers of, among other things, moral guidance, health, and education. The indigenous people largely remained as recipients of these services. The model of evangelization, as practiced by the early Catholic missionaries, was one that centered on catechesis and the sacramental life of the church. In line with this approach, a lot of church buildings were constructed.
This approach was accompanied by early efforts to provide education and healthcare to a population of Africans that was largely ignored by the colonial government. Mission schools and hospitals (or health centers and clinics) sprang up around the country, laying a foundation of education and healthcare that is still in place today, albeit greatly modified and diminished in many ways. This, for instance, would account for the fact that approximately 60 percent of the healthcare provision in rural Zambia today is church-related (Catholic as well as Protestant).
In responding to the needs of the people, the Church in Zambia has mirrored the universal Church in the development of various models and approaches. The significant shift especially in the area of development work was greatly influenced by Pope Paul VI’s seminal encyclical letter entitled Populorum Progresio (on the development of Peoples). The encyclical emphasized a development model with people at the centre and as the subject of all forms of development. It stressed participation and empowerment. The widely used concept of integral development came from this model.
Often in earlier years, development meant that an expatriate missionary could bring into an area resources and personnel that assisted the people in a variety of ways, for example, in agricultural projects, water projects, etc. This approach was heavily dependent on outside. The local people tended to be treated as objects rather than subjects of their own development. Cooperation with other Churches and non-church organizations, or governmental efforts, was minimal. This was an approach that was not integrated into an overall development plan, nationally or locally.
In the 1970s and 1980s, a new approach began to emerge and grow rapidly throughout the dioceses. Emphasis was put on participation of the local people in the initial identification of problems, the eventual design of solutions, as well as working on projects together, through self-management and evaluation. This had a positive consequence of empowerment that enabled people to learn skills that could be utilized in other spheres of life. This is apparent in the staffing pattern of Catholic Relief Services in Zambia—there are only 12 international staff and there are 84 Zambian staff members.
This approach linked well with two important movements that characterized the universal church and came to play a defining role in the church in Zambia. The first was the "option for the poor” which means a preferential emphasis on the poorer sector of the population. The second was the commitment to justice and peace. Through this approach the profile of the Church’s involvement in social issues has greatly been raised. The Church has played a pivotal role in socioeconomic and political transformation in Zambia.
Closing Reflection from Jennifer Carr:
The option for the poor and the commitment to justice and peace is clearly mirrored in the social policy of the bishops of Texas. This is evident in reviewing our local legislative priorities to improve the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), seek justice for immigrants, increase access to affordable housing, assure parental choice in education for all socio-economic levels, and reforms in the criminal justice system. The starting point and foundation for these commitments is the protection of human life and human dignity. For us, it is not abstract—our Church is on the ground in Texas and around the world, providing this practical care through Catholic Charitiesat home and Catholic Relief Servicesabroad. It is deeply connected to what it means to be Church.
In my next post to you, I’ll likely already be on the other side of the world, upside down from Texas, and in a whole other season…but my Church will be there and will be the same.
August 30, 2007
The TCC is proud to announce that Governor Perry, under the recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles, has commuted Kenneth Foster's death sentence. Foster was scheduled to be executed on Thursday, August 30. Clickhere for Governor Perry's press release or here for Archbishops DiNardo's letter requesting clemency.
August 27, 2007 Click here to read Archbishop DiNardo's letter requesting clemency for Kenneth Foster. Bishop DiMarzio of Brooklyn, Chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee of the USCCB, recently released a statement entitled: Labor Day 2007: A Time to Remember; A Time to Recommit. Click here to learn more…
August 21, 2007
In partnership with Catholic Relief Services, The Texas Catholic Conference will highlight the international impacts of our choices here in the Texas. This is the second post in an ongoing series of international issues that we will cover in our blog and on the event page of our web site. In September, the TCC Associate Director, Jennifer Carr, will be traveling to Zambia with a Catholic Relief Services advocacy delegation. We hope to post regularly during the trip to share the experience with our website readers.
Connections of Catholic Relief Services and Texas Catholic Conference:
What does CRS have to do with TCC? There are thousands of organizations who use the term "Catholic" in their name. Some use the term because of their personal faith and others because of their direct connection to the structure of the Roman Catholic Church. CRS and TCC are both directly connected to the Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. TCC is the public policy arm of the Texas Bishops and CRS is the relief arm of the U.S. Bishops, including those from Texas. So, both the TCC and CRS work at the request of the Bishops. It is quite natural that we would engage in such a partnership to increase awareness to Catholics in Texas about both the lives of our brothers and sisters overseas and the relief efforts of the Bishops through CRS.
International Issues: Solidarity
Why is the TCC doing this international project? What does Zambia have to do with us in Texas? A great deal. As the Body of Christ, we are all connected. Despite the fact that people in Zambia live a world away, they, too, are our brothers and sisters in Christ. CRS staff reports that visitors often speak of the tremendous generosity and hospitality that they receive when visiting communities in the developing world. They find themselves in the paradoxical position of being wildly rich in comparison with their hosts, yet receiving food, shelter, and assistance from them in a thousand little daily things with which they are not familiar. Being the guest of the poor can involve uncomfortable accommodations and daily activities that are unfamiliar and can even seem threatening. The situations that can make us most uncomfortable overseas can be those that highlight the disparity in our income, lifestyle, or opportunities. Sometimes these disparities affect us much more than difficulties arising from translation, an extreme climate, or strange food.
Reflection: Jennifer Carr, Associate Director of the Texas Catholic Conference
I am excited about joining Father Juan Molina, Advocacy Coordinator for the CRS Southwest region, and the other diocesan and regional advocacy delegates to on the CRS trip to Zambia. For me, it is the next step in a journey I began after college. I worked in HIV/AIDS ministry for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. As a part of my work there, I worked with people living with HIV/AIDS as well as providing HIV/AIDS and chastity education throughout the Archdiocese. It was a challenging and uplifting ministry. On my second day of work I came up with an idea for creating a "Chastity” teddy bear as an educational tool and fundraiser. Because of the connections of my supervisor at the time, Sister Mary Brenda, OP, we were able to use the funds raised by the bear to purchase medication for pregnant HIV+ women at a Dominican clinic in Zambia. This medication prevented the spread of HIV from a mother to her infant during birth. Through our project, we prevented the spread of HIV to more than 2500 infants.
One of the mothers at the clinic made me a copper plate depicting her walking miles to the clinic to get medication. She carries an infant on her back, a basket on her head and is heavily pregnant. For me, the three people in this picture--mother, infant, and unborn--answer the questions: Why am I participating in this international project? What does Zambia have to do with me? I pray for this woman and her children daily. I don’t know if she is even still alive, but every day at work, I look at her plate and remember my brothers and sisters in Africa. After all, we’re all connected.
August 14, 2007
New Staff
We are pleased to announce that we have hired Maria Frederick as our new Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator. She will be revamping and improving our web site as well as working with the departments of the TCC and assisting with legislative issues. Check out her bio on ourStaff page.
International Issues:
In partnership with Catholic Relief Services The Texas Catholic Conference will highlight the international impacts of our choices here in the Texas. This is the first in an on-going series of international issues that we will cover in our blog and on this page of our website. In September, the TCC Associate Director will be traveling to Zambia with a Catholic Relief Services advocacy delegation. We hope to post regularly during the trip to share the experience with our website readers.
International Policy Issue: Fair Trade
In April, Catholic Relief Services announced that Elizabeth Cole, a parishioner at St. Austin Parish in the diocese of Austin won the CRS "Raise Money Right” Fair Trade Chocolate curriculum contest. Elizabeth’s prize is a trip to Ghana to visit the Kuapa, Kokoo cocoa cooperative that grows the cocoa that becomes "Divine Chocolate”. Elizabeth’s collaborators, Sarah Yanes and Laura Duca, both students at U.T. will join Elizabeth as will Barbara Budde, the diocesan director of Catholic Relief Services for the diocese of Austin. "I am thrilled that Austin has a whole delegation going with Elizabeth. Through the generosity of Bishop Aymond and St. Austin parish, Sarah and Laura who contributed a great deal to the success of this winning curriculum will be able to share this great journey with Elizabeth. It is wonderful that all three are able to go – and that I can join them”, said Barbara Budde.Fair Trade means that the farmers are guaranteed a fair price for their crop, no exploitative child labor is allowed, and women’s rights and democracy are supported. Plus the members of Kuapa Kokoo own almost 50% of The Day Chocolate Company, the business that makes Divine Chocolate. As owners, Kuapa's farmers get a share of the profits. Fair trade is a way out of desperate poverty for many in developing countries. CRS supports a number of fair trade products including chocolate, coffee and crafts, through their "Work of Human Hands” project. Others on this trip include Steven White of Miami, the student who won the CRS contest for selling the most fair trade chocolate and his mother Diane, Martha Gaynoe, Serena Sato and Jackie DeCarlo of CRS.
What Can You Do?Did you know that you can order fair trade coffee at many local coffee shops and grocery stores? Don’t forget to ask next time you’re buying coffee. Visit the CRS websitefor more information or check out the CRS fair trade website.
July 23, 2007
Children's Health Care
The Texas Catholic Conference is very concerned about the uninsured in Texas, children in particular. Texas leads the nation in the number of uninsured. Despite the recent improvments to CHIP in the 80th Legislature, there remains a threat to this important program. With critical action pending in the U.S. Senate on S-CHIP, now is a good time to share a new resource that we, along with our parnters at The Catholic Health Association of Texas are recommending for parish and family use. We hope that you will help us make the Prayer Tent for Children’s Healthcare an effective tool for achieving our goal by using it and advocating for health care reform.
Answering the Call—Two Layers of Justice Finding a solution begins with learning more about the plight of our nation’s healthcare and thinking about how we have met other national challenges.
Short-term justice of rescue: By reaching out to help local children obtain health coverage, we will respond with Samaritan care. Contact a local hospital or clinic to hold a fair to enroll children in CHIP at your church or school.
Long-term system building: By focusing attention on this issue and promoting respectful discussions, we will respond with justice. Tell elected officials we need a better system. Children’s healthcare is the place to start.
For more information on using the Prayer Tent for Children's Health in your parish, Visit our Resources Page.Starting in August we will have a series of blogs about international policy, focusing on HIV/AIDS and food security issues in Zambia as Jennifer Carr, our Associate Director prepares to serve as a advocacy delegate in an upcoming trip to Zambia with Catholic Relief Services.
July 2, 2007
Summer Plans at the Texas Catholic Conference
Now that session is all over (see how we did) we at the TCC are gearing up for our next exciting round of events. During the summer, staff will be attending Catholic conferences and gatherings to explore further the Church's teachings on key issues like end of life decisions and care for God's creation. In addition, we have a seminarian intern from the Diocese of Austin, Kevin Jackson, who is assisting us in developing a series of fact sheets on Church teaching on each of our policy priorities. Starting in August we will have a series of blogs about international policy, focusing on HIV/AIDS and food security issues in Zambia as our Associate Director prepares to serve as a advocacy delegate in an upcoming trip to Zambia with Catholic Relief Services.
June 18, 2007
The 80th legislative session marked a change in the order of business at the Texas Catholic Conference. It was the first regular session after a changing of the guard of leadership at the conference. The lobby team for this legislative session was expanded to include: Andy Rivas, Executive Director, Jennifer Carr, Associate Director, and Margaret McGettrick, Director of Education. Even Marsha Solana, Associate Director of Education, and our intern, Maria Frederick got into the action and testified on critical bills. Texas Catholic Conference actively monitored 260 bills and took positions on 115 individual bills (63 Support, 52 Oppose) during the 80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. Some of these bills were the identical companion bills filed in the House and Senate. We took positions on 108 different pieces of legislation throughout the session. Bills are enrolled when they pass both the House and Senate, but have not yet been signed by the Governor. Here’s how we did:
June 11, 2007
The Honorable Rick PerryGovernor’s Office
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas
78711
Dear Governor Perry:
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and on behalf of the Diocese of Austin, we urge you to recommend clemency for Cathy Henderson who is scheduled to be executed on June 13, 2007. Ms. Henderson was sentenced to death in 1995 for the murder of a three-and-a-half-month-old baby, Brandon Baugh. ...click here to read more
June 8, 2007: Call on Governor Perry to VETO HB 1385
During the final days of the session it often happens that well intentioned legislation is amended in a way that can have negative consequences. We believe this is the case with HB 1385. The original intent of this bill was to provide licensing oversight for employer based child care, an important goal. However, an amendment was placed on the bill that would require additional licensing for any accredited private school which provides after school care in counties with populations larger than 25,000. Our network of accredited Catholic Schools often provides needed after school care to students whose families are working during the after school hours. These schools are already subject to stringent accreditation standards and don't have the staff or resources to repeat the process all over again with another state agency. If HB 1385 were to pass, we fear it could result in a loss of care for thousands of kids currently served by such programs. Therefore, we urge Governor Perry to Veto HB 1385 and ask you to contact his office (512-463-2000) to encourage this veto.
May 29, 2007: The Session's Over...In our preliminary review, the TCC actively mointored over 250 bills this session, of which only 21 passed the legislature as legislation. It will take us some more time to fully review the session as we review how some of our bills may have been amended into others or changed significantly. In the coming days we will begin to update our review of what passed and how we move forward. Thanks for all of those who have joined us in our work this session. Here's the short version of how our agenda fared:
Life Issues: We are disappointed that there are no major successes in terms of pro-life legislation this session. Efforts to improve reporting and informed consent for abortion were defeated and the clock ran out on the bill that would have substantially improved our state's Advance Directives statute. We remain hopeful that hospitals will implement the ideas in SB 439 during interim. We are pleased to report that legislation (HB 709) passed which will improve education on the benefits of adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood. In addition, the budget includes funding for alternatives to abortion and adult stem cells research.
Immigration:The session started with multiple anti-immigrant bills that were able to be defeated by and large. This was a defensive session on the immigration issue at the state level. We look forward to continued efforts by the U.S. Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform which will bring our immigrant brothers and sisters out of the shadows and improve our nation's security.
Health and Human Services:CHIP restoration, foster care system improvements, long-term care insurance improvements, wage and training enhancements for elder care attendants, increase in the personal needs allowance for seniors in nursing care, and legislation aimed at reducing human trafficking in Texas are among the many successful Health and Human Service initiatives of the session.
Education:Pre-Kindergarten for foster care kids was added to other education bills and child care reimbursement rates were improved. At first review, it does not appear that initiatives to improve parental choice in education had any major outcomes in this session.
Criminal Justice:Criminal Justice reform was a major highlight of the session with system-wide improvements for treatment alternatives to incarceration. The scandals of the Texas Youth Commission led to needed reforms in the juvenile justice system. We remain deeply disappointed in the passage of "Jessica's Law" which for the first time allows the death penalty in Texas when the convicted did not actually kill someone.
May 25, 2007: Session Wrap-Up
At this point in the session, most of the advocacy efforts are complete and we are just waiting to see what happens in conference committees. In our preliminary review, the TCC actively monitored over 250 bills this session. In the coming days we will begin to post our review of what passed and how we move forward. Thanks for all of those who have joined us in our work this session. We will continue to be in touch through our blog after the session concludes on Monday.
May 23, 2007: Oppose Treatment Pending Transfer
TCC has worked on the Texas Advance Directives Act for more than two years with our partners in Catholic Healthcare and respects all of those of who have worked to address these issues. We want to be clear with members of the Texas Legislature and our Catholic lay faithful that the Bishops of Texas oppose all efforts to amend any legislation to allow for treatment pending transfer. As Catholics, rather than seek a definitive answer as to whether patients, families or doctors have absolute autonomy, we encourage everyone intimately involved to make the decisions that are best for each patient. We seek a dignified life and a dignified death that recognizes the end of one’s human existence and respects the person’s spiritual nature. Death occurs without human intervention. A dignified death is one that recognizes that man comes from God at the beginning of his existence and returns to him at the end. The individual dies, as far as possible, in possession of his or her faculties surrounded by loved ones, comforted and aided by the spiritual and sacramental gifts of faith. Death is only dignified when it respects the essential dignity of the person as someone created by God.The following FAQs outline the Church's teaching on these issues:What does the Church teach on euthanasia?What does the Church teach about end-of-life-issues? Is it ever right to stop treatment?For more information, please also see the Bishops’ testimony on advance directives.
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCC) has consistently advocated that the U.S. Congress pass a just and comprehensive immigration reform bill. The Senate is about to begin debate today on a compromise immigration proposal. While the TCC is not totally happy with the Senate compromise we are supportive of the compromise and we believe it is important that the legislative process move forward. We will also continue to support amendments that will improve the compromise.
Specifically, let our Texas Senators know that any final Senate legislation must contain:
·a legalization program that includes family unity and a fair and realistic path to citizenship,
·a new worker program which provides a meaningful opportunity to obtain permanent residency, and the preservation of family unity as an integral part of the U.S. immigration system.
Urge our Senators to ensure that the regular legislative process is honored, and that amendments to improve the legislation be permitted and given due consideration.
Immigration is an important domestic issue facing our country. Congress can no longer wait to repair our seriously flawed immigration system and they must act now. We look forward to working with our elected officials in Congress to enact a law which both protects the basic human rights and dignity of persons and serves our national interest.
Sen. Cornyn 202-224-2934
Sen. Hutchison 202-224-5922
May 17, 2007: Support HB 109: CHIP
On Friday HB 109will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee. We fully support this bill which restores CHIP and provides health coverage for thousands of Texas children. We encourage people to call members of the committee to express their support of HB 109.
Support SB 785: Abortion Reporting
This bill is set on the House Calendar for Friday, May 18 and would require abortion providers to submit a report for every abortion performed. The TCC supports this bill because it would serve as a way to record the number of abortions in Texas which would help the state compile more accurate statistics about abortion.
Support SB 920: Ultra Sounds Prior to Abortions
This bill is also set on the House Calendar for Friday, May 18 and it would require that women who wish to have an abortion receive an ultrasound of the unborn child. The TCC supports this bill because it provides the mother with more information about her unborn child and may help the mother realize the humanity of her unborn child and choose life.
Support SB 439: Advance Directives
We have worked hard with members of the legislature and our partners in Catholic healthcare and pro-life ministries to improve the Texas Advance Directives Act. The House Public Health Committee has passed out a new version of SB 439and we continue to support this bill. Please let your House Memberknow that this bill improves the current law and protects patients, families, and physicans.
May 15, 2007
We are pleased to share the news that SB 439 on Advance Directives passed the Senate unanimously yesteray. We anticipate that it will be in the House Public Health committee this week and look forward to its smooth passage out of the House. This bill has been the result of two years of work by advocates on all sides of this issue and we support those who have worked hard to make this legislation better.
May 9, 2007
In order to further clarify the Church Teaching on end-of-life issues, we have put together a document that discusses the dignity of dying, appropriate medical treatment, physician responsibility, and modern society and technology. To view this resource on Teaching on End-of-Life issues, click here.We are also pleased to report that Senator Deuell and Representative Delisi have come together on Advance Directives. Senator Deuell has substituted Representative Delisi's CSHB 3474 for his SB 439 and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted out Senator Deuell's CSSB 439 with no dissenting votes. We are now supporting both CSSB 439 and CSHB 3474, and we look forward to both bills moving out of their respective chambers! This topic is complex and emotional for everyone because it requires us all to face our own mortality and that of our loved ones. Some may not understand the medical and ethical issues involved. Dr. Marcella Colbert, Director of Respect Life Officeof the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houstonpublished an article several years ago outlining the issues. We encourage the lay faithful to read it to better understand the position of the Bishops.
May 1, 2007
We are disappointed that the following bills were voted out of the House State Affairs committee on Monday night: HB 904, HB 905, HB 1604, and HB 2998. We feel that these bills inappropriately shift the burden of immigration enforcement to local law enforcement whose resources are already limited and should be focused on public safety. The best solution to today’s illegal immigration is for the federal government to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Harsh enforcement with no path to legalization will only push illegal immigrants further underground. We support a balance of humane enforcement and pathways to legalization.
April 20, 2007
On April 19 the Texas Catholic Conference and the Catholic Health Association of Texas delivered letters to all members of the Texas Legislature with our new endorsement of Rep. Delisi's HB 3474 on Advance Directives. We support the extension of days for transfer to 21 days and appreciate the work that Chairwoman Delisi has done to assure that patients in Texas are afforded a natural death with dignity. In addition to this letter, we are pleased to recommend the new book on end of life issues, A Will to Live: Clear Answers on End of Life Issues, written by Archbishop José H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Soon the Senate will vote on HB 8, commonly known as Jessica's Law. The TCC also delivered letters to all Senators asking them to strike the provision in the bill that allows the death penalty for repeat offenders. The Catholic Church's teaching opposing the use of the death penaltyhas been clear and consistant for many years. We hope that the Senate will protect human life by striking this provision. We also have been working on immigration issues this week by supporting HB 456 to place wage protections for day laborers and opposing several bills that would deny basic rights to immigrants.
April 12, 2007
Father Joseph Howard from Houston testified before the House State Affairscommittee regarding bio-tech research on stem cells and human cloning. His testimony, which can be found here, expressed our support for adult stem cell research and opposition to embryonic stem cell research. Some of the billsclaim to be bans on human cloning, but actually allow for the creation, but not the implantation, of a cloned embryo, therefore requiring the destruction, freezing or research on the human embryo. The TCC opposes all such bills because they do not respect the dignity of human life, which begins at the moment of conception.
April 3, 2007
On Monday, April 2, Bishop Vann came to testify in the House State Affairs Committee on the right to life. Click hereto read his testimony.
During the last week of March, Archbishop Gomez, Bishop Aymond, and TCC staff testified on school choice in the Senate Education Committee. Click herefor Archbishop Gomez's testimony. Bishop James Tamayo also testified before the joint hearing of the State Affairs and Border and International Affairs committees on behalf of the 15 bishops of Texas, check out his testimony here. In addition, Bishop Tamayo participated in a press conference with the Houston Rescue and Restore Campaign to raise awareness for the tragic crime of human trafficking. TCC staff also testified in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on billsthat would help to identify trafficking victims; you can find this testimony on our Testimony & Letters page.
As legislators begin the debate on the advance directives statute, we are offering the teachings of the Catholic Church as guidance on this important life issue. We bring not only our moral authority to the issue, but also our practical experience in Catholic healthcare facilities throughout the state. Therefore, we are issuing a joint letterfrom The Texas Catholic Conference and the Catholic Health Association of Texas. In addition to this letter, we are pleased to recommend the new book on end of life issues, A Will to Live: Clear Answers on End of Life Issues, written by Archbishop José H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Check out the letter on our public policy tab under Testimony and Letters.
March 20, 2007CS109--CHIP IS NOT DEAD!
Monday when the Texas House of Representativesheard CS109, there was a point of order on the language that changes from gross income to net income. The bill analysis was missing the word "family." Some perceived this as killing the bill and ending hope for these vital CHIP restorations. However, the House Human Services Committeemet Monday evening to correct the language and pass the bill back to the House. It will come up for vote again soon, possibly as early as Wednesday...stay tuned for the new date of the floor vote.
March 19, 2007
On Monday, March 19 the Texas House of Representativeswill be voting on CS109, which will improve the Children's Health Insurance Program.The TCC supports this bill and encourages people to call members of the House to urge it's passage. Dozens of bills have been filed this session to help enroll every eligible child in CHIP and we salute the efforts of all of the bill authors who care about this important legislation. CS 109 is a compromise bill that will:
Extend coverage from 6 to 12 months
Include child-care expenses in calculating family income
Eliminate the current 90-day delay in coverage
Increase family assets from $5,000 to $10,000
Increase the family vehicle allowance from $15,000 to $18,000 for the first vehicle and $4,650 to $7,500 for the second
March 9, 2007
This week hundreds of Catholics joined us at the capitol to advocate for greater resepect for human life. Advicates met with legislative staff to discuss our support of bills that repeal or limit abortions in Texas as well as bills that oppose embryonic stem cell research. A key part of the Church's support of life is our support of adult stem cell research. Many people may be unaware of the success of adult stem cells and the Church's support of ethical forms of such research. Check out our FAQ pagefor more information on the topic. TCC has taken a position on a number of bills related to respect for life. We oppose the use of the death penalty because of our respect life teachings and we include our bills on the death penalty in our Criminal Justiceportion of our legislative agenda. March 1, 2007This week there are important hearings on the Children's Health Insurance Program and Children's Medicaid. The TCC will be submitting written testimony in today's CHIP hearing. Watch for it on our Public Testimonypage. February 20, 2007The Bishops of Texas issued two important statements on the Human Pappaloma Virus and Coal Fired Plants. Check them out of the Bishops Statementspage. We also sent a letter of support for Elder Careto several committee chairmen. February 15, 2007Andrew Rivas and Jennifer Carr are led the Texas delegation in congressional visits in Washington D.C. as a part of the Annual Social Ministry Gathering of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). We met with staff from Senators Hutchison and Cornyn to discuss the USCCB policy issues: the farm bill, comprehensive immigration reform, peace in the Middle East, including Iraq and Israel/Palestine, Global HIV and AIDS (Foreign Aid, PEPFAR--President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).
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The Day's activities began at 7 a.m. with a prayer vigil at an abortion clinic in downtown Austin. Despite the brisk air, organizers estimated that there were approximately 90 people in attendance, including Dr. Alveda King, niece of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King. 
Also present at the Mass were diocesan priests and seminarians, the Knights of Columbus, the Guadalupanas, and youth groups from the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Juan Diego High School, and other nearby parishes. 
The Texas Rally for Life program began with the Catholic African American Mass Choir from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Bishop Aymond led the crowd in prayer, and Alveda King gave a heartfelt speech on her history of civil rights advocacy, her own experiences with abortion, and her optimism regarding the pro-life movement.
After the Rally, many headed to the University Catholic Center for the Party for Life, hosted by Catholic Longhorns for Life. Those under 35 received t-shirts stating "I am a Survivor” and all in attendance were able to enjoy pizza, donuts, and good company. 
Zambia: An Emerging Democracyfront.jpg "Simpson holding the draft constitution")
Zambia won its independence from Britain in 1964 and its first draft transitional constitution was developed in 1973. The President and Parliament of Zambia are beginning to form a constitutional assembly to create a constitution that will stand the test of time. Staff from JCTR are heavily involved in this process. Simpson, an analyst at the center, provided the non-governmental organization position on the draft constitution at the UN General Assembly. Their analysis is that the first draft only contains human and civil rights and is missing economic, social, and religious rights. The current debate centers around who gets a place at the assembly. 
Diocese of Livingstone-South of Western Province and Southern Province
We arrived into Lusaka this morning to a spectacular African sunrise. After filing through customs we were greeted by several CRS local Zambian staff members whose amazing smiles made us forget the second night of sleeping on a plane. Several of us piled into one of the CRS standard issue Land Rovers with a quiet, but happy driver named Limba. 
