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The Catholic bishops in Ohio released a statement in preparation for America’s 250th anniversary and as Haitians in Ohio await a Supreme Court ruling on their Temporary Protection Status. They wrote, "We reflect upon the promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and to worship God free from government intervention. We take seriously the truth that our rights come from God and recognize the great blessings that God has bestowed on our country. Therefore, as proud and faithful citizens of the United States, we need to take responsibility to support the common good of our country and to love our neighbors as ourselves." The bishops then addressed the moral failure and their grief for the situation of Haitian's in Ohio and across the U.S. who despite working hard to support their families, worshipping God regularly, and seeking to live in peace, "may be forced to abandon familial stability, jobs, and community due to policy decisions. We find no moral justification for terminating their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) without an alternative way to adjust their immigration status."
"Welcoming immigrants and refugees represents the Christian ideals our country stands on. The denial of a dignified life for law-abiding families fleeing an unstable home and contributing to the common good signifies how much easier it is to declare that we are “One Nation Under God” rather than to actually do the will of our Heavenly Father (cf. Matthew 7:21)," wrote the bishops. They continued to share the need to reform our immigration policy, while affirming, "the nation's right and responsibility to regulate immigration and protect its borders for the sake of the common good and address genuine public threats."
The statement concludes with sharing a path forward, "Like so many of you, we yearn for political leadership that can deliberate effectively without the partisan rancor that so often seems to take precedence over legislation for the common good. Looking back over our nation’s rich history, with its faith-centered values of welcoming those who seek refuge while ensuring the safety and order of our communities, can reveal a way forward." They reaffirmed their solidarity with immigrant brothers and sisters and asked Catholics in Ohio and all people of goodwill to pray for America at 250 years and to embody the words of Pope Leo XIV, “Those who believe in him are engaged in the great work of renewal that began with the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection, and they cooperate in building up the Kingdom of God, learning to embrace all men and women as brothers and sisters, children of one Father.” (Magnifica Humanitas 49)."
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Brian Hickey, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, issued a statement in response to Governor Mike DeWine’s comments on the death penalty, stating, "Governor DeWine is correct that Ohio should not kill human beings, given the flawed system of execution. Ohioans are increasingly recognizing that the death penalty perpetuates a cycle of violence, deprives offenders of rehabilitation, and increases costs to the state." He continued, "Several of Ohio’s death row inmates have found redemption through the Catholic faith. They have repented of their egregious crimes and seek to live as witnesses to a better way of life through prayer, penance, and service to other inmates. In a state and country in which alternatives to execution exist, we should support punishments that are in greater conformity with the dignity of the human person, made in the image and likeness of God." The statement concludes with, "We join Governor DeWine in urging Ohio legislators to pass House Bill 72 and Senate Bill 134 to prohibit the State of Ohio from funding the intentional termination of human life––including abortion, assisted suicide, and State-sanctioned execution––and to abolish the death penalty in favor of life without parole."
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The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of Senate Bill 341 (D-DeMora | R-Blessing) to raise the legal age to marry from 17 to 18. CCO stated, "90% of children married in Ohio between 2000 and 2024 were girls married to adult men. Once a minor gets married, the child is legally emancipated from their parents, who no longer bear responsibility for caring for the child or providing financial support. This creates a vulnerable situation for young people seeking to flee violence and abuse as they often face hindrances to bringing a legal action in their own name and experience barriers to support, such as domestic violence shelters, due to being underage... The Church teaches that 'the consent [to marry] must be an act of the will of the contracting parties, free of coercion or grave external fear. No human power can substitute for this consent.' (CCC, 1628). Weighing the short time frame of one year before a minor can access adult rights and privileges against the risk that some will exploit the legal loophole to facilitate exploitation, it is fitting that the law aligns the age of marriage with the age at which individuals can legally consent to contractual obligations.”
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The Catholic Conference of Ohio submitted interested party testimony on HB 795, urging the House Medicaid Committee not to reverse the years-long policy of supporting family caregivers, and instead to seek targeted, proportional means to address bad actors committing fraud and abuse. CCO wrote, "Many family members forego other employment opportunities and struggle to make ends meet as they selflessly work to sustain the lives of their loved ones in need of this [life-sustaining] assistance. This is a clear, pro-family policy for those who need it most. [Family members] receiving payments for essential care should not lose the small benefits they receive because of bad actors who must be held accountable."
UPDATE: HB 795 has been amended to remove the ban on family members' ability to be paid by Medicaid for providing personal care services to relatives. We are grateful for this revision.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio supported House Bill 393 (R-Click | D-Brewer), which requires Community Based Correctional Facilities to assist inmates in obtaining ID cards prior to release, has been signed into law by Governor DeWine. The law, which passed both the Senate and House of Representatives unanimously, is an expansion of previously enacted legislation that requires the State of Ohio's correctional facilities to do the same. This new law will help returning citizens access employment and the resources needed for their successful reintegration into Ohio communities.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in front of the Senate Health Committee in support of House Bill 324 (R-A. Mathews | R-Craig), the Patient Protection Act. The bill previously passed the House. CCO stated, "HB 324 employs reasonable safeguards on the dispensing of medications known to cause serious adverse effects by requiring that patients be assessed and fully informed as to the associated risks in order to be free to consent to a recommended course of treatment." Due regard for the dignity of human life and the integral good of each person warrants more prudent and humane measures when dispensing pharmaceuticals with a higher rate of adverse effects.
Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent passed the Ohio House of Representatives. HB 347 requires a physician to meet with a woman at least 24 hours before an abortion and provide information on alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported Senate Bill 318 (R-Cutrona), which would authorize a township law enforcement agency to provide school resource officer services to a chartered nonpublic school, passed the Ohio Senate. School safety remains a high priority for the bishops and our Catholic schools. School resource officers play an important role in protecting students and staff. The bill now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in opposition of Senate Bill 323 (R-Blessing), which would legalize the composting of human remains for use as a fertilizer-like substance. "Respect for the dignity of the human person is a foundational principle of civilized society and remains essential even after death. ... When the bodies of the deceased are treated as other disposable objects, we risk contributing to what Pope Francis has described as a “throwaway culture,” fostering a broader indifference toward human life," testified CCO. The testimony also noted, "Ohio already provides meaningful and morally sound alternatives consistent with ecological stewardship and respect for the person. Many Catholic and other cemeteries throughout the state offer natural or green burial areas that gently return the body to the earth without chemicals, burial vaults, or non-biodegradable materials."
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent. The Catholic Church accompanies pregnant women in need through authentic friendship and ongoing support. "Community-based efforts such as Walking with Moms in Need connect women with resources and assistance, helping them to simultaneously welcome their children and achieve their goals,” testified CCO. The testimony continued, "HB 347 ensures women are informed of alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. … We urge the Committee to support women by ensuring that they are liberated from the freedom-limiting coercion of difficult circumstances and unsupportive or despairing voices, and instead empowered with knowledge that elicits hope for their future and that of their children."
Catholic Conference of Ohio Informational Flyer (Updated 10/25)
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