Catholics called to see faith in action at Advocacy Day
February 24, 2015
AUSTIN - On Tuesday, March 24, Catholics from across the Lone Star State will unite for the Texas Catholic Conference (TCC) 2015 Texas Catholic Faith In Action Advocacy Day.
This bi-annual rally is hosted by the Texas bishops, including Galveston-Houston’s Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop George A. Sheltz, to promote the Church’s values of life, justice, charity and religious freedom to members of the 84th Texas Legislature.
The bishops and event participants will address a broad range of diverse issues including advance directives reform, school choice tax credit scholarships, payday lending, Medicaid expansion and abortion facilities regulation.
The centerpiece of the day is when Texas bishops and participants join together in a massive rally at 11:30 a.m. on the south steps of the historic Texas State Capitol. In addition, a chicken lunch will be served on the great lawn of the Capitol grounds. Throughout the day, participants will make visits to their state senators and representatives. Media from across Texas will also be on hand to chronicle this historic event.
All Texas Catholics are urged to get involved and support the bishop’s legislative agenda by praying Texas legislators will hear the voice of Catholics throughout the state and sign up for action alerts through the Texas Catholic Network.
All Catholic faithful are invited to meet at the steps of the Texas Capitol and are asked to wear royal blue clothing in a sign of unity.
The TCC encourages everyone to promote the Advocacy Day in their home parishes; to call state and national representatives about supporting the Catholic bishops, to become educated and learn about current legislation and why Catholics are supporting or opposing certain bills.
Inspired by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI writing that “The Church is called to transform the face of the earth, the heart of the people and establish the kingdom of God,” San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller wrote, “Together, we are the Church, and you, the lay faithful have been chosen to take these eternal values into the public arena without fear, for the Holy Spirit is beside us. Jesus has called each of us by name to stand with all people of good will, united by an honorable purpose.”
The TCC advocates on behalf of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas for policies and programs that support the life and dignity of every human person from conception through natural death.
The TCC Legislative Agenda is the result of a rigorous process of reflection and consultation. Under the guidance of the Texas bishops, the TCC staff conducts policy assessments — with the input of diocesan departments, ministries and agencies — to evaluate public policy needs and opportunities across the state.
The bishops extensively review and discuss the proposals before setting the legislative priorities for each session.
Because of that, public policy positions are based in Catholic social and moral teaching to uphold the sanctity of life, help the poor and vulnerable and promote the common good.
The TCC is primarily focused on six areas of public policy, including: protecting human life; children and families; health and human services; justice for immigrants; protecting the poor and vulnerable; and criminal justice.
The TCC was established as the fifth State Catholic Conference in 1963 during the Second Vatican Council in Rome. The TCC relates to all of the programs and institutions operated under the jurisdiction of the Church of Texas.
For more details or to be a part of the 2015 Texas Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day, visit www.txcatholic.org or contact Alicia M. Vinklarek at the Office of Justice and Peace at avinklarek@archgh.org or 713-741-8769.