ST. CHARLES ADVOCACY TOPICS—January 10, 2012
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St. Charles Social Justice
Jan 10, 2012, 6:23:32 PM1/10/12
to St. Charles Social Justice Advocacy
ST. CHARLES ADVOCACY TOPICS—January 10, 2012
I. LOCAL
--I. A. —NO INPUT THIS WEEK
II. STATE
--II. A. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN VIRGINIA!
--II. B. VICTORY ALERT: RIGHTS OF FAITH-BASED AGENCIES PRESERVED
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. URGE THE U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO VOTE "NO" ON
REPEALING THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT
IV. INTERNATIONAL
--IV. A. PRESS FOR AGREEMENT ON TWO-STATE HOLY LAND PEACE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. LOCAL
--I. A.—NO INPUT THIS WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
II. STATE
--II. A. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN VIRGINIA!
The Virginia Catholic Conference encourages you to join other
Catholics this year to advance life and justice in the Commonwealth
during Catholic Advocacy Day, set for Thursday, January 26, 2012.
Just a few days after the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.,
Catholic Advocacy Day in Richmond allows Catholics from the Dioceses
of Arlington and Richmond the opportunity to make a difference in
their own backyard. Advocates can help influence how the Virginia
General Assembly acts to defend life, the poor, immigrants, marriage,
parental choice in education, religious freedom and other issues
important to the common good.
Notify the Conference by January 12, 2012 to facilitate scheduling
meetings with your state legislators. To reserve your spot for
Catholic Advocacy Day, click on the following link:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5emqu93d59e56f8&llr=lls9hgeab
You can also assist by volunteering to help assemble materials before
the event, or help on the day itself. To volunteer, send an email
to: off...@vacatholic.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--II. B. VICTORY ALERT: RIGHTS OF FAITH-BASED AGENCIES PRESERVED
The State Board of Social Services voted 5-1 to proceed with child
placement agency regulations that preserve the religious freedom of
faith-based agencies. The Board’s decision followed testimony from 15
speakers, including Catholic Charities’ leaders and Virginia Catholic
Conference staff who urged the Board to respect the vital role faith-
based agencies play in serving families and children in accordance
with their religious convictions.
The Board set an effective date of May 1, 2012 for the new
regulations, which include the following provision supported by the
Conference and its allies:
“The licensee shall prohibit acts of discrimination based on race,
color, or national origin to: (1) Delay or deny a child’s placement;
or (2) Deny an individual the opportunity to become a foster or
adoptive parent.”
The Virginia Catholic Conference will remain vigilant to ensure that
the fundamental right of faith-based agencies to practice what they
profess remains safely intact in Virginia law.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR, AND STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
- To contact Governor McDonnell, use the following link:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or
The phone number for Governor McDonnell is (804) 786-2211.
- Find your senator at http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm
- Find your representative at http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView,
OR
Go to “Who's My Legislator” icon on the General Assembly website at
http://legis.state.va.us to find or confirm who your delegate or
senator is, and his or her contact information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. URGE THE U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO VOTE "NO" ON
REPEALING THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT
Due to a procedural holdup, a vote was delayed in the U.S. Senate
Judiciary Committee until next week on a bill that would repeal the
federal Defense of Marriage Act (known as DOMA). DOMA was passed in
1996 by a wide bipartisan margin and signed into law by then-President
Clinton. DOMA defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman
and requires federal agencies to apply this definition to all federal
policies.
Repealing DOMA would have a significant national impact, allowing the
Administration to redefine marriage as the union of any two adults and
inviting the courts to impose this new definition in the states.
Protecting marriage as the faithful and lifelong union of one man and
one woman is critical to the common good, and DOMA is essential to
protecting marriage.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urges you to email
your U.S. Senator as soon as possible using the suggested language
below or to call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be
forwarded to the appropriate office (U.S. Senators for Virginia are
Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb).
SAMPLE EMAIL:
"I support marriage as the union of one man and one woman and oppose
the repeal of DOMA. Please encourage your colleagues to vote ‘NO’ on
Senate Bill 598 because it would repeal DOMA."
Below is a list of current U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Members:
Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut)
Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma)
Christopher Coons (D-Delaware)
John Cornyn (R-Texas)
Dick Durbin (D-Illinois)
Dianne Feinstein (D-California)
Al Franken (D-Minnesota)
Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)
Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota)
Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin)
John Kyl (R-Arizona
Michael Lee (R-Utah)
Chuck Schumer (D-New York)
Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
To contact your senators and representative, go to
http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ac_homepage or
http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and enter your zip code.
(Both sites have links to additional information about issues.)
You can also reach your senators and representative by calling the
Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.
To contact the President, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IV. INTERNATIONAL
--IV. PRESS FOR AGREEMENT ON TWO-STATE HOLY LAND PEACE
President Obama recently reiterated his Administration’s commitment to
seek peace in the Middle East and, in a televised speech broadcast
around the world, strongly reaffirmed that peace is possible. The
President highlighted the urgent need for strong U.S. leadership to
press for a two-state peace agreement. Renewed violent conflict with
more suffering for Israelis and Palestinians, and increased dangers of
extremism will likely ensue without a peace agreement.
Catholic Relief Services asks you to contact President Obama now and
urge him to restart negotiations with Israeli and Palestinian leaders
based on key principles and ideas addressed in other peace
negotiations.
You can take action now using the following link:
https://secure.crs.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=721
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[NOTE: We encourage you to forward this e-mail to others you think
would be interested. Persons wishing to subscribe may go to the St.
Charles Web site, Social Justice page, by using this link:
http://www.stcharleschurch.org/maillist.htm and following the
instructions found there under Social Justice.]
I. LOCAL
--I. A. —NO INPUT THIS WEEK
II. STATE
--II. A. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN VIRGINIA!
--II. B. VICTORY ALERT: RIGHTS OF FAITH-BASED AGENCIES PRESERVED
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. URGE THE U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO VOTE "NO" ON
REPEALING THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT
IV. INTERNATIONAL
--IV. A. PRESS FOR AGREEMENT ON TWO-STATE HOLY LAND PEACE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. LOCAL
--I. A.—NO INPUT THIS WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
II. STATE
--II. A. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN VIRGINIA!
The Virginia Catholic Conference encourages you to join other
Catholics this year to advance life and justice in the Commonwealth
during Catholic Advocacy Day, set for Thursday, January 26, 2012.
Just a few days after the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.,
Catholic Advocacy Day in Richmond allows Catholics from the Dioceses
of Arlington and Richmond the opportunity to make a difference in
their own backyard. Advocates can help influence how the Virginia
General Assembly acts to defend life, the poor, immigrants, marriage,
parental choice in education, religious freedom and other issues
important to the common good.
Notify the Conference by January 12, 2012 to facilitate scheduling
meetings with your state legislators. To reserve your spot for
Catholic Advocacy Day, click on the following link:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5emqu93d59e56f8&llr=lls9hgeab
You can also assist by volunteering to help assemble materials before
the event, or help on the day itself. To volunteer, send an email
to: off...@vacatholic.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--II. B. VICTORY ALERT: RIGHTS OF FAITH-BASED AGENCIES PRESERVED
The State Board of Social Services voted 5-1 to proceed with child
placement agency regulations that preserve the religious freedom of
faith-based agencies. The Board’s decision followed testimony from 15
speakers, including Catholic Charities’ leaders and Virginia Catholic
Conference staff who urged the Board to respect the vital role faith-
based agencies play in serving families and children in accordance
with their religious convictions.
The Board set an effective date of May 1, 2012 for the new
regulations, which include the following provision supported by the
Conference and its allies:
“The licensee shall prohibit acts of discrimination based on race,
color, or national origin to: (1) Delay or deny a child’s placement;
or (2) Deny an individual the opportunity to become a foster or
adoptive parent.”
The Virginia Catholic Conference will remain vigilant to ensure that
the fundamental right of faith-based agencies to practice what they
profess remains safely intact in Virginia law.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR, AND STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
- To contact Governor McDonnell, use the following link:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or
The phone number for Governor McDonnell is (804) 786-2211.
- Find your senator at http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm
- Find your representative at http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView,
OR
Go to “Who's My Legislator” icon on the General Assembly website at
http://legis.state.va.us to find or confirm who your delegate or
senator is, and his or her contact information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. URGE THE U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO VOTE "NO" ON
REPEALING THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT
Due to a procedural holdup, a vote was delayed in the U.S. Senate
Judiciary Committee until next week on a bill that would repeal the
federal Defense of Marriage Act (known as DOMA). DOMA was passed in
1996 by a wide bipartisan margin and signed into law by then-President
Clinton. DOMA defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman
and requires federal agencies to apply this definition to all federal
policies.
Repealing DOMA would have a significant national impact, allowing the
Administration to redefine marriage as the union of any two adults and
inviting the courts to impose this new definition in the states.
Protecting marriage as the faithful and lifelong union of one man and
one woman is critical to the common good, and DOMA is essential to
protecting marriage.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urges you to email
your U.S. Senator as soon as possible using the suggested language
below or to call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be
forwarded to the appropriate office (U.S. Senators for Virginia are
Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb).
SAMPLE EMAIL:
"I support marriage as the union of one man and one woman and oppose
the repeal of DOMA. Please encourage your colleagues to vote ‘NO’ on
Senate Bill 598 because it would repeal DOMA."
Below is a list of current U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Members:
Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut)
Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma)
Christopher Coons (D-Delaware)
John Cornyn (R-Texas)
Dick Durbin (D-Illinois)
Dianne Feinstein (D-California)
Al Franken (D-Minnesota)
Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)
Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota)
Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin)
John Kyl (R-Arizona
Michael Lee (R-Utah)
Chuck Schumer (D-New York)
Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
To contact your senators and representative, go to
http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ac_homepage or
http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and enter your zip code.
(Both sites have links to additional information about issues.)
You can also reach your senators and representative by calling the
Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.
To contact the President, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IV. INTERNATIONAL
--IV. PRESS FOR AGREEMENT ON TWO-STATE HOLY LAND PEACE
President Obama recently reiterated his Administration’s commitment to
seek peace in the Middle East and, in a televised speech broadcast
around the world, strongly reaffirmed that peace is possible. The
President highlighted the urgent need for strong U.S. leadership to
press for a two-state peace agreement. Renewed violent conflict with
more suffering for Israelis and Palestinians, and increased dangers of
extremism will likely ensue without a peace agreement.
Catholic Relief Services asks you to contact President Obama now and
urge him to restart negotiations with Israeli and Palestinian leaders
based on key principles and ideas addressed in other peace
negotiations.
You can take action now using the following link:
https://secure.crs.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=721
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[NOTE: We encourage you to forward this e-mail to others you think
would be interested. Persons wishing to subscribe may go to the St.
Charles Web site, Social Justice page, by using this link:
http://www.stcharleschurch.org/maillist.htm and following the
instructions found there under Social Justice.]
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