The Iowa Catholic Conference (ICC) has released its “Faithful Citizenship for Iowa Catholics” letter for distribution in advance of the 2018 general election. The Catholic Church does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. However, it contributes to the political process by encouraging Catholics to take action in the political arena with a properly-formed [...]
In May of 1980, Catholic bishops from eleven Midwestern and Plains states issued a regional statement on land issues called “Strangers and Guests: Toward Community in the Heartland.” The bishops who signed and issued the statement on May 1, 1980 represented Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. [...]
BISHOPS RESPOND TO ABUSE SCANDAL The four Catholic bishops of Iowa are responding to the Holy Father’s call for the Church to join in acts of prayer and fasting in “combating all forms of abuse of power, sexual abuse and the abuse of conscience.” Check out the Iowa Catholic Conference Facebook page for more details. A [...]
Feeding people, not landfills As Catholics, we have a moral and spiritual obligation to care for the gift of God’s creation and to insure we cooperate in protecting it. The challenge of the proper management of the earth’s resources has implications for all Catholics as we integrate church teaching into all aspects of [...]
The 5th annual Iowa Religious Freedom Day will be marked at the State Capitol on Thursday, April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend this non-partisan event to learn about the value of religious diversity and religious freedom. This year's event will highlight the connection between families and religious [...]
In 1977, Congress passed the Hyde Amendment with bi-partisan support, and since that time its action has protected millions of vulnerable human lives. An accelerating political movement to end Hyde requires the support of Catholics to preserve its defense of human life and dignity against the offense of abortion. The Hyde Amendment was created in [...]
Pope Francis today launched a worldwide, two-year “Share the Journey” campaign calling on Catholics to ‘encounter’ migrants and refugees in an effort to break down barriers of fear and suspicion and build bridges of understanding and hospitality. “Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to share the journey! Do not be [...]
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 [...]
The U.S. Senate is working on its version of a health care bill. The House passed its own bill last month. Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, has highlighted certain positive elements in the Senate bill, but reiterated the need for Senators [...]
The USCCB has announced the Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom for Mission, which will be celebrated from June 21-July 4. The bishops ask Catholics to pray for the prudential judgment of our nation’s leaders as they consider the important issues before them. Religious freedom is “our first, most cherished liberty” and the one on which [...]