In the legislative session coming to a close, legislators considered a proposal to revise current Iowa law on fetal homicide, recognizing in the event of an assault of a pregnant woman, two human lives are at stake and in need of protection. Currently, at least 38 states have enacted fetal homicide laws that are a version of [...]
“Crime and corrections are at the intersection of rights and responsibilities. Those who commit crimes violate the rights of others and disregard their responsibilities. But the test for the rest of us is whether we will exercise our responsibility to hold the offender accountable without violating his or her basic rights. Even offenders should be [...]
The second “funnel” deadline in the Iowa Legislature is approaching. To survive, a bill must have passed one chamber and through a committee in the opposite chamber by April 5. (This does not apply to appropriations or tax-related bills). Several bills of interest to the Iowa Catholic Conference are bumping up against the deadline, including: [...]
The Iowa Catholic Conference is asking you to contact your legislator on two issues of concern: opposing the death penalty and support for parents of nonpublic school students. Many legislators are hearing from constituents about these issues and it’s making a difference. Go to www.votervoice.net/icc/home for background information and sample messages. Thanks to those of you [...]
Iowa’s Senator Charles Grassley realized a long-term policy goal in December 2018 when President Trump signed the bi-partisan achievement in criminal justice reform entitled the FIRST STEP Act. The legislation is a product of a national effort to reduce recidivism and refine sentencing laws and harsh penalties. It initiates a long-overdue process of evaluating an [...]
Every person is made in the image of God and has certain rights and responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to participate in the public life of the community. House Study Bill 68 is a state constitutional amendment which would return voting rights to felons after they have served their sentence. The Iowa Poll released [...]
The Legislature will come back into session tomorrow after taking a break for today’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Regarding Dr. King, the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said: “This year, as we again mark the anniversary of his life, and reflect upon the 51st anniversary of his death, we are [...]
The Iowa Catholic Conference supports the reform of our immigration system in a just and humane way. We believe that persons have the right to find opportunities in their homeland, in addition to a right to migrate to support and protect themselves and their families. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in collaboration with [...]
Catholic teaching recognizes the complementarity of faith and reason. As Catholics, we believe our faith is rational, and not in conflict with the material world around us. We believe combining faith and reason connects the most vital components of our human experience. Reason is a gift God gives us to interpret and understand [...]
The Iowa Catholic Conference has released its Legislative Principles and Concerns for the 2019 session. The ICC also released a letter discussing gun legislation. The Iowa Catholic Conference is the public policy agency of the Catholic Church in Iowa. Its Board of Directors includes the Catholic bishops of Iowa and lay people, priests, deacons and religious sisters.