Tips for Effective AdvocacyWe all have opportunities to advocate locally and with state and national legislative bodies. Our success rate can improve whether by phone, using mail/e-mail, or in person by using these tried-and-true methods. How To Advocate In Any SituationDownload Document How to Legislatively AdvocateDownload Document |
 In "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," the U.S. Catholic Bishops remind us: "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do...." (#13).
Approved by U.S. Bishops at November 2015 General Meeting. Download Document The Living Justice Advocate: - helps promote the Church's positions on legislative issues
- organizes visits to elected officials
- sponsors an e-mail legislative alert system
JFI Webinar: SCOTUS Ruling on DACA/DAPA and What's Next On June 23, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 4-4 decision in U.S. v. Texas let stand a Fifth Circuit of Appeals' ruling blocking an Obama Administration executive order expanding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).
The webinar reviews the Supreme Court's ruling in U.S. v. Texas and looks at what to do now. The webinar includes a Q&A session with Justice for Immigrants (JFI) and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) answering questions about DACA, DAPA and extended DACA. Watch the WebinarWebinar Link
Bishops Urge Catholics: Tell Congress, Your Governor to Welcome Syrian Refugees In response to the shock of the Paris attacks, many U.S. governors announced they want to stop their states from resettling Syrian refugees. Some members of Congress have introduced legislation to stop refugee resettlement altogether.
Syrians are rigorously screened for 18-24 months by refugee and security professionals through multiple interviews and multiple security checks, including biometric checks, forensic testing, medical screenings and in-person interviews, by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Department of Defense and multiple intelligence agencies. The U.S. government accepts for U.S. resettlement only those who pass the screening procedure. It is critical that public officials hear from their constituents NOW when decisions are being made that could drastically impact the lives of Syrian refugees and refugee resettlement in the United States. More Information
Urge Congress to Protect Human Dignity and Combat Human Trafficking! CRS Offers Help for Those in NeedIn poor villages in India, human traffickers often target young people who have dropped out of school to earn money for their families, promising them good jobs in the city. But sometimes they're sold into forced labor or prostitution. Thanks to a CRS program, young people in small villages are getting back into school and out of harm's way. |
 The Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act of 2015 would require companies to make public information about their products' supply chains to ensure that child and forced labor, slavery and human trafficking are not used in production.
Thanks to growing awareness, education and outreach, more companies are aware of the possible use of modern-day slavery in their global operations and supply chains. As U.S. Catholics we work to fight human trafficking as an affront to the lives and dignity of our brothers and sisters -- its victims. Take Action!U.S. Bishops and Catholic Relief Services Letter to Congress: The U.S. Bishops and Catholic Relief Services wrote to Congress to urge passage of the bill to help curb human trafficking. Download Letter Call your members of Congress today and ask them to cosponsor and support the Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act of 2015 toll-free number at 866-596-7030. Download Talking Points Email your members of Congress today and ask them to cosponsor and support the Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act of 2015 through our action center. Email Your Members of Congress More InformationThe United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has been a national leader in the fight against sex and labor trafficking for more than a decade. USCCB and its partners have provided intensive case management services to victims of human trafficking, assisting more than 2,232 survivors and more than 500 of their family members. USCCB Website Catholic Relief Services has implemented more than 100 programs in more than 35 countries to reduce human trafficking and, through public-private initiatives, has recently engaged the corporate sector to help eradicate the worst forms of slave labor. CRS Website Pope Francis Speaks Out"Businesses have a duty to ensure dignified working conditions and adequate salaries for their employees, but they must also be vigilant that forms of subjugation or human trafficking do not find their way into the distribution chain. Together with the social responsibility of businesses, there is also the social responsibility of consumers. Every person ought to have the awareness that 'purchasing is always a moral -- and not simply an economic -- act.'"
USCCB, National Committee for a Human Life Amendment Ask Repeal of 2 DC ActsThe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, Inc. have called on Congress to stop two dangerous pieces of legislation recently passed by the Council of the District of Columbia and signed by the mayor. Congress has 30 legislative days to block these acts by passing resolutions of disapproval of the "Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act" (RHNDA) and the "Human Rights Amendment Act" (HRAA). The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, Inc., has issued an Action Alert for individuals to e-mail Congress asking that these acts be blocked. Email Your Members of Congress Today
Wisconsin Catholic Conference Testimony on Senate Right to Work BillDownload Document
Protecting Vulnerable Central American Children Entering the U.S.Learn about the issues and the need to: - provide adequate funding to protect unaccompanied children arriving in the U.S. and respond to their basic needs, including legal representation while their immigration case is pending;
- sddress the root causes that compel children to flee their homes by providing robust funding for targeted development programs in Central America and Mexico and a comprehensive regional plan to address this issue; and,
- enable the safe, orderly return and reintegration of deported children to their home communities.
Download Resources Kit Prayers for Vulnerable Migrants
Justice for Immigrants Action AlertsJustice for Immigrants has issued an Action Alert asking for e-mails to protect vulnerable unaccompanied children and restore critical funding for refugees and other vulnerable populations. Email Your Members of Congress Today Justice for Immigrants has issued an Action Alert to ask Senators to make no changes to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 and pass a clean 2014 supplemental appropriations bill. E-mail Your Senators Today Letter Sent to CongressSeattle Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, has sent letters to U.S. House and Senate members expressing the Catholic bishops' concerns and views regarding supplemental appropriations funding bills in their respective chambers.
E-mail Alert SystemWisconsin Catholic Conference Electronic Advocacy NetworkSubscribe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Action Alerts on Upcoming LegislationSubscribe |
Parishes: Called to be Holy, Fully Engaged, Fully Alive CLICK HERE for special website to help parishes fully implement Bishop David L. Ricken's pastoral letter and its six pastoral focus areas. Includes:
• The pastoral letter
• Best Practices
• Articles
• Blogs
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