News & Press - Catholic Conference of Ohio

The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) warmly welcomes Archbishop-designate Robert G. Casey as the incoming chairman of the Board of Directors for the conference after Pope Francis appointed him as the eleventh archbishop of Cincinnati, succeeding Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr.

Brian Hickey, executive director of CCO offered the following comments:
“We congratulate Archbishop-designate Robert G. Casey on his appointment as Archbishop of Cincinnati and welcome him as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Catholic Conference of Ohio. In addition, we are grateful for Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr’s steady leadership and pastoral guidance in Ohio over the past 16-plus years. Archbishop Schnurr’s love for Jesus Christ was evident nationally and in Ohio through his tireless governance and unwavering support for the poor and vulnerable in all times and seasons. The Catholic Conference of Ohio will miss Archbishop Schnurr’s guidance, but we wish him abundant joy and peace in retirement.”

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Tom Rhatican has joined CCO as the Associate Director for Education to advocate for our Catholic schools and all families seeking a Catholic education. He will work collaboratively with Diocesan school superintendents and principals, elected officials, education professionals, and other advocacy groups to improve opportunities for all children to pursue a quality education, find the Lord, and encourage one another in their faith. He is a retired Army Aviation officer and attorney. Tom began his career in private practice and worked for many years in senior legislative and executive branch roles in Wisconsin. 
 

The Catholic Conference of Ohio is excited to announce the hiring of William Kuehnle as Associate Director for Social Concerns, starting today, March 21, 2023. Will has served the Catholic Church in various positions since his conversion in 2015, including program director, high school history and theology teacher, and parish catechist. After five years working in Catholic education, Will moved to Ohio to pursue a PhD in Policy, Philosophy, and History at the Ohio State University with a specialization in Bioethics. Will holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religious Studies from the University of Chicago, where he coordinated social projects with the Franciscans of the Eucharist. Through the Alliance for Catholic Education, Will earned a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame. He also volunteers as a catechist in the RCIA program at the St. Thomas More Newman Center at Ohio State. Will has joined CCO to represent the Conference on all issues related to the Church’s social teaching. Contact Will via email at [email protected].

The Catholic Conference of Ohio is excited to announce the hiring of Michelle Duffey as Associate Director for Communications and Outreach, starting February 16, 2023. Michelle holds 15 years of marketing and communication experience, working in both corporate and non-profit settings. After working for Cardinal Health, Inc. for over a decade, she followed her passion to share the faith and served as the Director of Communication for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) and the Director of Mission Advancement for the John Paul II Project. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master of Business Administration in Marketing, both from the University of Toledo. She loves to go on pilgrimages and volunteers as a catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. Patrick Church in Columbus. Contact Michelle via email at [email protected]. 

The Catholic Conference of Ohio commends Governor DeWine for proposing significant investments in Ohio’s children and families through his Executive Budget. The budget proposes a $2,500 per child state tax deduction. For several years, the CCO and USCCB have advocated for a child tax credit on the state and national levels. Further, Governor DeWine’s proposal eliminates the state sales tax for vital infant supplies, such as diapers, strollers, and car seats. In education, the budget calls for expanding Ohio’s EdChoice scholarship program to families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. If enacted, more Ohio families can access the school of their choice, including Catholic schools. The budget also provides funding for school safety resource officers and increases past budget line items for public and private school students. Other measures that the CCO supports include the expansion of Ohio’s Bold Beginning Initiative and incentives to create more affordable housing options.

With these proposals, the Governor’s budget affirms the Catholic Church’s teaching that the family must be supported and strengthened through just public policies. The Catholic Conference of Ohio looks forward to advocating for these proposals in the months ahead, along with other measures that assist families with children in Catholic schools and programs that help poor and vulnerable Ohioans. 

Bishop Lach was installed in 2018 in the Catholic Eparchy of Parma and has served on the Catholic Conference of Ohio's Board of Directors since his installation. We're grateful for his ministry in Ohio and wish him the best in the Eparchy of Bratislava.  

The Catholic Conference of Ohio welcomes the Most Reverend Kurt Burnette as the Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Parma. Bishop Burnette was also appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of the Holy Protection of Mary of Phoenix. 

Click the links for statements from the Ohio Bishops:

Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr

Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic

Most Rev. Earl K. Fernandes 

Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton

Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas 

Most Rev. David J. Bonnar

The Board of Directors of the Catholic Conference of Ohio is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Hickey as the Conference’s new Executive Director, effective Jan. 3, 2023.

Click below to read the entire press release. 

During the first week of Ohio’s lame duck period, the time after a general election and before a new General Assembly, the Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of two bills. HB 504 would specifically address penalties for disturbing a religious gathering. The bill was introduced in response to protestors disrupting the Diocese of Columbus’ Respect Life Mass and several gatherings of Ohio’s Jewish community. See the CCO’s testimony in support of HB 504 here. The Conference also testified in support of SB 46, which would create an office and commission on Eastern European affairs. The testimony noted the Church’s call to promote and integrate immigrants, and the vibrancy Ohioans of Eastern European origin bring to our Catholic churches.

During the first week of Ohio’s lame duck period, the time after a general election and before a new General Assembly, the Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of two bills. HB 504 would specifically address penalties for disturbing a religious gathering. The bill was introduced in response to protestors disrupting the Diocese of Columbus’ Respect Life Mass and several gatherings of Ohio’s Jewish community. The Conference also testified in support of SB 46, which would create an office and commission on Eastern European affairs. The testimony noted the Church’s call to promote and integrate immigrants, and the vibrancy Ohioans of Eastern European origin bring to our Catholic churches.