The Iowa Catholic Conference (ICC) met on Thursday, May 19, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny. The bishops of the four dioceses of Iowa and advisory board members gathered to review the past legislative session and address several initiatives of the Conference.
The board discussed ongoing efforts to oppose doctor-prescribed suicide as well as its “Supportive Care Iowa” project. The project is designed to provide Catholics with assistance with end of life planning and promote good end-of-life care aligned with Catholic values. Two members of the project committee, Colleen Walters, vice president at Trinity Health, and Janine Idziak, professor at Loras College and health care ethics consultant for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, presented a summary of the project.
Kim Hermsen, superintendent of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, also gave an update on state and federal issues impacting Catholic schools, including Title funding and the expansion of childcare and preschool programs.
Tom Chapman, executive director of the ICC, reported that the past session resulted in some gains and disappointments as the legislature wrapped up on April 29. Click here for a full review of the session.
The Iowa Catholic Conference board will meet again in October.
