Popes Paul VI and John Paul II both described the Catholic Church as an “expert in humanity.” This term recognizes the truth that through its long history Catholicism has engaged and reflected on the fullness and complexity of the human experience.
Tag: Wisconsin Catholic Conference
Don’t forget to vote! State has first primary in August since World War II
Don’t forget to vote! That’s something we haven’t heard in August for many years. In fact, this is Wisconsin’s first partisan primary in August since World War II, according to the Government Accountability Board (G.A.B.).
The state Legislature moved the partisan primary from the second Tuesday in September to the second Tuesday in August so Wisconsin can comply with a federal law designed to give military and overseas voters enough time to vote by absentee ballot, said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the G.A.B.
Wisconsin last held partisan primaries in August in 1944 and 1946. That means that only voters over age 84 would remember voting in August.
Bishops urge against use of POLST medical forms
MADISON — The Catholic bishops of Wisconsin recently expressed concern for “Upholding the Dignity of Human Life” in a statement warning against the use of Physician (or Provider) Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).
State bishops reiterate opposition to mandate
MADISON — Wisconsin’s bishops reaffirmed their opposition to a federal mandate that all health insurance plans provide coverage at no cost for contraceptive and sterilization services.
Recall rules: Issues involved in Wisconsin’s first statewide recall primary
On Tuesday, May 8, Wisconsin will be experiencing its first statewide recall primary. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, the recall election is happening and state citizens should be paying attention.
Faithful citizenship resources
The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) encourages Catholic voters to visit its Faithful Citizenship voter education page for resources on Catholic teaching (www.wisconsincatholic.org/faithful_citizenship.cfm).
There you will find a letter from the bishops of Wisconsin written prior to the 2010 elections. In that letter, the bishops admit that “being a faithful citizen is never easy.” Yet, they encourage Catholics to “remain engaged, not just politically but also culturally,” since there is “so much good that we will contribute to our nation and to our world.”
The WCC Web site also includes the latest edition of its Guidelines for Church Involvement in Electoral Politics as well as a question card voters can use when questioning candidates running for state office.
Information for state voters
Also helpful is information provided by the state’s Government Accountability Board (GAB), which issued a press release with information for state voters about the primary recall rules (http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/recall).
Governor signs bills on health exchanges, sex education, ‘Web cam’ abortions
MADISON — On Thursday, April 5, Governor Walker signed about 50 bills into law, including three measures supported by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC).
Among the bills approved by the Governor are:
- Senate Bill 237, which restores flexibility and local control to school districts in providing instruction in human growth and development. This new law is Act 216 of the 2011 Legislature.
- Senate Bill 306, which assures that a woman is not coerced into having an abortion and also prohibits “webcam” abortions. This bill is now Act 217.
- Senate Bill 92, which bars health insurance providers that participate in a future state exchange from including elective abortions in their coverage. The new law is now Act 218.
Legislature approves pro-life bills
MADISON — In the closing days of the 2011-12 legislative session, the Wisconsin Assembly gave final approval to two bills that ensure access to health care without increasing support for abortion. One measure, Senate Bill 92 bars health insurance providers that participate in a future state exchange from including elective abortions in their coverage. The proposal, Senate Bill 92, sponsored by Senator Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) and Representative Robin Vos (R-Burlington) passed the Assembly on a 61 to 34 vote. The Senate had approved the bill in October 2011.
The federal health care reform legislation enacted in 2010 requires states to create exchanges that offer health insurance consistent with the new law by January of 2014. The federal law provides that states have the option of excluding abortion coverage from health plans participating in the state exchange. Senate Bill 92 creates that exclusion.
WCC helps defeat rent-to-own legislation
MADISON –The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) joined other pro-consumer groups to persuade legislators to reject a bill to exempt rent-to-own (RTO) businesses from key provisions of Wisconsin’s Consumer Act (WCA).
The Wisconsin Assembly approved Assembly Bill 582 on the last day of the legislative session, but the Senate declined to consider the bill before it adjourned for the year. In the closing days of the session, staff of Catholic Charities agencies and St. Vincent de Paul Society Councils were among those who made phone calls to legislators urging that the bill not be approved.
Revisions to sex education approved, awaits governor’s signature
MADISON — On March 14, the State Assembly approved legislation to provide local districts more flexibility in teaching human growth and development classes. The bill also permits abstinence-based instruction.
The Assembly approved Senate Bill 237, sponsored by Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) and Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt, (R-Fond du Lac) on a vote of 60-34. The legislation restores the flexibility and local control, which school districts enjoyed up until the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year that allowed them to offer different approaches to human growth and development instruction.
First director of Wisconsin Catholic Conference dies
MADISON — Charles M. “Chuck” Phillips was a familiar sight at the state Capitol for many years as the first executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC).