The following comes from an April 25 Catholic Voice article by Michele Jurich:
Catholics from around California converged on Sacramento to visit their elected representatives and advocate for legislation on Catholic Advocacy Day.
The issues they discussed on April 19 ranged from additions to the assisted-suicide legislation passed last year, and matters of restorative justice, human trafficking and tax relief for teachers.
In scheduled meetings with Assembly members and state senators, or in some cases, members of their staffs, the diocesan representatives expressed their opposition to two actions under consideration: the establishment of a state-funded 800 telephone number to provide information on the end-of-life option and another that would provide state funds to Medi-Cal recipients to end their own lives.
Before heading to the Capitol, the California Catholics attended a prayer service, led by Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto, in the hall of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
Ned Dolejsi of the California Catholic Conference told the 100 assembled participants about the busy day ahead of them, offering brief descriptions of the legislation on the table, and reminding them that they are the “voices of many.”
“I don’t think we changed any legislators’ minds on the issue of assisted suicide,” Gwen Watson said after visits at three offices. “But I felt we made the aides we spoke with better informed on the matter of the toll-free phone number.
Irene Alonso-Perez said she has been active in her parish’s family-to-family program with Catholic Charities, and is now involved in efforts to fight human trafficking.
Jaime Perez, her husband, said the issue of the tax relief for teachers hit home. The Catholic group is advocating for a tax credit for teachers who, within five years after receiving their credential, must complete continuing education that can cost about $2,500.
Regarding the Catholic Advocacy Day agenda, notice the absence of abortion and parental notification. God does….
The Government is my shepherd, I shall not want ……..
These human issues are not unimportant, but they do not stimulate a person of deep faith in Jesus and eternal life to sacrifice time and money to promote them. Don Guillermo is right. Where are the 5 non negotiables: Life from conception to natural death, created sexuality and traditional marriage, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and euthanasia? The legislative or judicial branches have trashed all of these. Catholics have given up, and are followers in comfort issues instead of leaders on Christian issues.
Thank you, Richard. Indeed, these other issues do not stimulate one to give time and money to promote them. They really are “comfort issues,” as you say. My first prayer every morning is for courageous, holy, and faithful Catholic leaders. In their ecclesial absence, it may well be lay Catholics like us who will have to lead.
Take the lead Don Guillermo. No priest is ordained a bishop now a days unless he surrenders his faith in the next life for the secular agenda of this life. The church leaders are not leading with Jesus. They are following the secular leaders of the world.
Father…That’s a pretty sweeping condemnation of the episcopate. Are you really saying that, for instance, newly appointed Bishop Barron in LA is unfaithful?
With all due respect, that is a pretty strong condemnation of all Bishops. I have only known three or four and worked with three in an advisory group, but all three were highly devoted to bringing Christ to the people and to changing society for the better. That doesn’t mean they were great administrators or managers, but all were dedicated to Christ. It might be possible that the Church is moving a lot slower than the popular culture and that they haven’t kept up with the changes so they look like they aren’t preaching the word. But, I think they all mean well.
” I have only known three or four and worked with three in an advisory group,” = Liberal birds of a feather, work in advisory groups together.
“but all three were highly devoted to bringing Christ to the people and to changing society for the better.” = Three, highly motivated, St. John Vianneys, would not have society on bullet trains to hell.
“But, I think they all mean well.” = Our Lord said, “It would have been better if Judas had not been born.” Pope Francis and Bob One enlighten Our Lord, by saying, “Poor, misjudged Judas, he meant well.”
With all due respect….”The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Fr. R.P., You are right. There are a few exceptions. Bishop Barron, Bishop Olmsted, ArchBishop Chaput, come to mind. Overall, the USCCB is very ‘busy’ but not with the hard work of unrelenting opposition to the advancement of intrinsic evils in this country, the secular agenda. Recent appointments follow the pattern you outlined. Ex. — with the death of good Cardinal George, Chicago received the progressive ArchBishop Cupich (spelling?). A good reminder to pray for the episcopate. Thank you for your honesty.
Father, I appreciate your encouragement to “take the lead,” which is a sign to me from the Holy Ghost. What is not so clear to me is HOW to take the lead, but I am praying for guidance. It seems to me also that nowadays bishops overwhelmingly are political rather than prophetic. The conspicuous lack of the “non-negotiables” in the Catholic Advocacy Day agenda, is but one indication of this. Do we offer a pinch of incense to Caesar’s gods, or do we offer a sign of contradiction for Jesus?
I wonder if any of these Bishops would be willing to face martyrdom….because a persecution is coming