2018 statement on death penalty final We speak in opposition to the use of the death penalty in any form and to its possible reinstatement in Iowa. Marking the 25th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church last fall, Pope Francis said the death penalty is, in itself, “contrary to the Gospel, because a [...]
The Catholic bishops of Iowa have contacted Iowa’s congressional delegation in support of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) youth and the Dream Act of 2017. You are encouraged to contact our members of Congress on the issue as well at https://votervoice.net/ICC/home. The text of the Iowa Catholic Conference letter is as follows: The Iowa Catholic Conference supports [...]
As Catholics, our cause is the defense of human life and dignity and the protection of the weak and vulnerable … the principles of Catholic social teaching – dignity of the human person, subsidiarity and solidarity, freedom, participation, the common good, and care for the poor and most vulnerable among us – must define our [...]
Nov. 17, 2015 The recent movement of 27 governors in the United States to apparently oppose entrance to Syrian refugees to their respective states (CNN, 11/16/2015) revives an embarrassing experience in our country’s history. During World War II, those of Japanese nationality in the United States were rounded up and placed in confinement. In the [...]
June 29, 2015 The US Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage saddens us. To make something legal does not mean that it is true or good. Take, for example, the ruling that legalized abortion. Notwithstanding this ruling, we will continue to lead people to live under the Gospel, which requires us to be humble and loving [...]
June 19, 2015 We are disappointed by the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a rule prohibiting abortions by telemedicine. In 2013 the Iowa Board of Medicine approved a rule that required a physician to be physically present when abortion drugs are being provided, rather than pushing a button following a remote video consultation. [...]
January 2015 Parents are the ones primarily responsible for the education of their children. We believe Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are a tool that would empower parents across our state to choose the best and most suitable education for their children, regardless of economic standing. ESAs would allow parents who choose not to enroll their [...]
“In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; and participation in political life is a moral obligation.” - “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” U.S. Catholic Bishops The Iowa Catholic Conference has released its “Faithful Citizenship for Iowa Catholics” statement in advance of the 2014 mid-term elections. The document, signed by the diocesan bishops of [...]
A November 2013 report from the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Migration alerted us to the ongoing increase in migration of unaccompanied children across the border. More than 52,000 unaccompanied children have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border since the beginning of the year. The report found a “perfect storm” of reasons leading to this phenomenon, including [...]
Once again, Congress is considering the reform of our country’s broken immigration system. Many immigrants have been forced to leave their homes and countries in order to provide even for the most basic needs of themselves and their families. The desperation of their circumstances does not correspond to the inordinate length of time (sometimes over 15 [...]