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catholics gather at the state capitol

On Wednesday, March 3, 2010 more than 1,000 Catholics from the State of Illinois assembled at the state Capitol in Springfield for the second “Catholics at the Capitol” gathering. The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Francis George was the Principal Celebrant. This was a reminder to all that the Gospel of Christ was the ultimate reason for their presence at the State Capitol.

The event was organized by the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the public policy arm of the Church in Illinois, which is governed by the six Bishops of the Province of Chicago. All of the Bishops (His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago; Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford; Bishop Daniel Jenky, CSS, of Peoria; Bishop Edward K. Braxton of Belleville; Bishop Peter Sartain of Joliet; and Monsignor Carl Kemme, Administrator of Springfield) participated in the day’s activities.

Mr. Robert Gilligan, Executive Director of the Conference, gave a brief overview of the scope of the Church’s presence in the Land of Lincoln. There are more than 3.9 million Catholics living in 1,014 parishes, led by 19 Bishops (including the active and retired Auxiliary Bishops of Chicago). The Catholic faithful are ministered to by 2,790 priests, 4,076 religious sisters, 464 brothers, and 1,090 permanent deacons. Currently, there are 436 Catholic elementary schools, 73 high schools, and 12 colleges serving over 246,000 students each year.

Nearly 60 people, representing at least 15 parishes and various agencies of the Diocese of Belleville participated. The Belleville representatives made a special effort to visit as many legislators as possible. They went to the offices of each of the 18 legislators (11 representatives and seven senators) with districts that are within the Diocese of Belleville. They made sure that they communicated the concerns of faithful Catholics about the issues before the legislature. There was a large group meeting with Senator Luechtefeld of District 58, during which the issues of funding for education and social services, protection of the unborn, and the death penalty were specifically addressed. Other examples included visits to Representatives Jackson and Hoffman who offered their support for the Ultrasound Opportunity Act (HB 5743) and Senator Haine who expressed his support of English and adult education for immigrants.

Meanwhile, the Bishops participated in private meetings with senators, representatives, and Governor Quinn. They stressed that they were not simply representing themselves but millions of Catholics in the state. In their meeting with the governor, the Bishops spoke strongly in favor of restoring funding to the Textbook Loan Program. They urged him to include the restoration of funding for the Textbook Loan program ($29.1 million) in the next budget. They also encouraged Governor Quinn to address the state debt and budget crisis. They pointed out that the ever-growing buildup of state debt will create a heavy burden on future generations unless we address the budget crisis now and implement real reform.

Cardinal George and the Bishops of the Province were unambiguous in expressing the reasons why Catholics cannot support House Bill 6205 (Reproductive Health and Access Act). This revision of an earlier bill still provides for public funding of the termination of human life in the womb. It uses public funds to cover the costs of abortions and emergency contraception without pregnancy testing. They stressed that House Bill 6205 violates the conscientious objection of many citizens. They reminded the governor that in 1844, Abraham Lincoln broke with his own party, the often anti-Catholic Whigs, and proposed: “Resolved, that the guarantee of the rights of conscience, as found in our Constitution, is most sacred and inviolable, and one that belongs no less to the Catholic, than to the Protestant; and that all attempts to abridge or interfere with these rights, either of Catholic or Protestant, directly or indirectly, have our decided disapprobation, and shall ever have our most effective opposition.” The Bishops underscored the truth that Lincoln’s position is as valid today as it was in 1844. The tax dollars of Catholics and many other conscientious people must not be used to subsidize the taking of innocent human life.

These are only some of the highlights of a very full and worthwhile day for the Christian Faithful at the Capitol. The work of “Catholics at the Capitol” continues. Our people need to become more and more informed about the complex issues of our day. These issues still need to be discussed, legislators need to be contacted, and work in neighborhoods needs to sow the seeds of the Gospel of Christ to bring about conversion of hearts.
The second “Catholics at the Capitol” was a good day for the Church in Illinois. It was day of advocacy, education, and prayer for all participants. There are opportunities in various agencies in our Diocese, in our parishes, in civic organizations, and in ongoing political engagement that can keep “Catholics at the Capitol” every day.

Please contact the Respect Life Office at 235-9601, ext. 133 or visit www.respectlife.catholicweb.com for more information.