One of the most attractive virtues of the church is our conviction to keep the word of Christ alive and relevant to our issues today. One of the most controversial virtues of the church is our conviction to keep the word of Christ alive and relevant to our issues today. Brace yourselves Catholics of Austin, your Bishops want you to be alive and relevant on the issues of today.
On April 9th the Texas Conference of Bishops will be hosting a rally at the State Capital to promote the churches values of Life, Justice, and Charity to the 83rd Texas legislature.
The catholic church holds some very controversial convictions and they cut across party lines. I guess you could say our work is cut out for us. And let me be clear, when I say we, I mean we. If Catholic Advocacy Day is going to be effective we includes you. It is no secret that when the church asks people to put their politics where their faith is many of us fall out of our comfort zones. So its understandable if some of you are looking around and telling yourself I must be looking for someone else. I assure you I am not. The public policy voice for the Catholic Bishops of Texas is the Texas Catholic Conference. If you take the time to study their website you will find eight very persuasive reasons I am talking to you. I am talking to you because-
- You believe the life and dignity of all human persons is sacred. You want to end abortion, prevent euthanasia, stop destruction of human embryos, and prevent cloning.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature] - You care for the poor and vulnerable. You believe our state budget must adequately support public services they rely on.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature] - You believe in the importance of family. You want our laws to promote strong, stable and healthy families.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature] - You care for Texas children. You want to insure a parent’s address or income level will not determine their child’s educational or child care opportunities.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature] - You care for immigrants. You want to reform our immigration system to make it more merciful, charitable, and compassionate to those who have come working for a better life.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature] - You care for the sick. You believe justice demands that medical and behavioral health care be easily available for all.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature] - You believe in religious freedom. You want to insure that the availability of health care never threatens life itself or places restrictions on the right to exercise one’s conscience.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature] - You have mercy on the imprisoned. You want to bring fiscal and moral reform to our criminal justice system that supports successful rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners and ends the death penalty.
[What the Bishops say] [Whats in the 83rd Legislature]
If you agree with these statements, then you agree with the bishops of Texas, and they need your representatives to hear that. This is easier than you might think. It will only take a couple steps.
Before the rally begins April 9th we need our representatives to start hearing from catholic voters. The best way to have an impact on your representative is with a hand written letter but you can also use a phone call or email. Your representatives contact information can be easily found here. The Diocese would prefer you state that you support the entire agenda of the bishops of Texas but if there are only specific issues you are passionate about then you may concentrate on those. The bills the concern the bishops can be found in the links above. Please also sign up for Action Alerts with the TCC so you will be made aware of high priority bills as they come up.
The day of April 9th a few brave parishioners recruited by the Diocese will meet directly with assigned representatives. I have been recruited to speak to Rep. Eddie Rodriguez of District 51. What would you like for us to talk to the representatives about? Please let me know in the comments section below. Everyone should come to the rally to show your support of Catholic values.
After the rally April 9th fallow up with your representative. I will be let you all know (in blog form) what Rep. Rodriguez said. The TCC will keep you up to date on how the bills we care about are progressing in the legislature. The Diocese would like for you to write your letters or make your phone calls one more time to let your representatives know you are still paying attention and you expect them to fallow through.
And Pray, pray now and often. Pray for your country. Pray for your state. Pray for your leaders. Pray that the Catholics of Texas have the courage to raise our voices. Pray that our voices ring out in spirit and in truth. And I would request you say a special prayer for me. This year will be my first foray into Catholic lobbying, which just goes to prove anyone is qualified for this. I will need your prayers to help me be effective.
I think I have given you plenty of challenges this post. Pray about your convictions. What do you believe? What do you want your representatives to believe? If we raise our voice united as one they will hear us and they will have to listen. If your voice is missing our voice will never sound complete.
