Resources for the Family

Albany, New York – Composting Human Remains

On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2022, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill allowing for the composting of human remains. This process does not meet the standard for the reverent treatment of human remains. The New York State Catholic Conference has consistently opposed this measure. To read the statement of the New York Catholic Conference upon the signing of this legislation please click here.

Albany, New York – State of the State Address

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul delivered the annual State of the State Address beginning the six-month 2023 legislative session in Albany. This is the Governor’s first State of the State Address for the four-year term she was recently elected to in November 2022. Later this month the Governor will present the 2023-2024 New York State Executive Budget Proposal to the Legislature for their consideration.

In the prepared text of the Governor’s State of the State Address, the Governor again makes access to abortion in New York State a priority for her administration and renews her commitment to amending the New York State Constitution to include the right to an abortion. Such a constitutional amendment must pass both houses of the New York State Legislature a second time before going before voters in 2024. The first passage was July 1, 2022.

Washington, D.C. – Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

The United States House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This bill requires health care professionals to offer the same level of medical care to children born alive who survive an abortion as would be appropriate for a premature baby born at the same age. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) supports this bill. To read the letter in support from the Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities please click here. To join the USCCB in asking your member of the United States House of Representatives to support this bill please click here. 

Washington, D.C – Support Women, Children, and Families

As Catholics we are called to build a culture of life that supports the dignity of every person at every stage. Please join the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in encouraging our members of Congress to pass legislation that advances the health, safety, and flourishing of women, children, and families. Passage of bills such as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and support for the Child Tax Credit, paid family leave, pregnancy resource centers, childcare and pre-kindergarten programs, housing, nutrition, maternal and child health, adoption, healthy relationships, environmental protections, inclusion of immigrant families in social programs, and the end of marriage penalties will help build an authentically life-affirming society. The USCCB recently sent a letter to all members of Congress calling for the passage of life-affirming policies that prioritize families. It can be read here. To take action and join the U.S. Bishops in their call for life affirming policies, by contacting your members of Congress, please click here.

Washington, D.C. – Respect for Marriage

The United States House of Representatives has already passed a bill to redefine marriage to include two people of the same sex in federal law. Furthermore, this bill opens the door to recognize polygamy and polyamory. This bill fails to recognize that children, as Pope Francis says, have a right to a mother and a father. It also offers no religious freedom protections because it demands that all states and the federal government honor whatever state defines “marriage” to be. To take action now and contact your United States Senators please click here. To read the letter of Archbishops Cordileone and Lori on behalf of the USCCB click here.

From the Office of Public Policy and the Office of Family/Respect Life Ministry:

Washington, D.C., Proposed HHS Rule Coerces Health Care Professionals and Insurers

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a proposed rule (administrative regulation) that violates rights of conscience and religious freedom by coercing health care professionals and providers to perform, and health plans to cover, abortions and gender-transition procedures.  

If HHS adopts this proposed rule change, it may be construed to require a health care professional and provider to perform, and a health plan to cover, abortions.

The rule, if adopted, would similarly prohibit health professionals and other health care providers from declining to provide, and prohibit a health plan from declining to cover, gender-transition procedures.

To take action now, comment on this rule change, and contact HHS please click here.

Retrouvaille – A Lifeline for Marriages

Misinformation About Abortion After Dobbs

Edward Mechmann, July 20, 2022

https://edwardmechmann.wordpress.com/2022/07/20/misinformation-about-abortion-law-after-dobbs/

Healing After an Abortion

Ellen Kelly

August 3, 2022

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/08/03/abortion-roe-v-wade-catholic-pregnancy-loss-243323