Category: State News

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the Wisconsin Catholic Conference

State bishops warn of harm to First Amendment freedoms under Equality Act

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MADISON — Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops have issued a letter urging the faithful to actively oppose H.R. 5, a federal bill that if signed into law would dramatically limit First Amendment freedoms, especially the free exercise of religion. Known as the Equality Act, H.R. 5 would alter provisions of the federal Civil Rights Act, adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as categories of people protected from discrimination.

The Catholic bishops of Wisconsin affirmed that “every person is made in the image of God and must be treated with respect and compassion. Individuals have a right to live free of discrimination or harassment.”

Nevertheless, the bishops explain that the Equality Act actually fosters inequity and intolerance. “As Catholics, we are called to shield individuals from discrimination, accompany the vulnerable, and be a voice for the voiceless. However, the Equality Act would require religious entities to abandon the very principles of faith that undergird their ministry and service. Under the Equality Act, ministries would not be able to acknowledge the biological reality of male and female.”

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the Wisconsin Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bishops address COVID vaccine concerns

MADISON — Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops have issued a statement that addresses moral considerations regarding newly-developed COVID-19 vaccines.

In their letter, the bishops acknowledged the devastating impact of coronavirus infections worldwide but also lauded the efforts of nations and organizations to develop safe vaccines that will effectively diminish the impact of the virus.

Moral questions

While the promise of inoculation provides hope for the end of the current pandemic, the bishops indicated that many Catholics have raised moral questions about receiving vaccinations, especially the use of vaccines that utilize cell lines from aborted children in development and production.

There are also questions surrounding the right of conscience and the duty of all Catholics to advance the common good.

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the Wisconsin Catholic Conference

State bishops support rally for life coming to Madison

MADISON — Spanning three weeks in January and covering five states, pro-life advocates from around the Midwest will gather in multiple locations leading up to the March for Life Chicago.

The “Moving the Movement” Tour will begin with a kick-off event in Madison, on Saturday, Jan. 2.

The Chicago march is an annual event that draws thousands from across the Midwest to celebrate all human life from conception through natural death.

This year in Madison, March for Life Chicago is partnering with the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC), Wisconsin Family Council, Wisconsin Right to Life, and Pro-Life Wisconsin, the same organizations that sponsored the March for Life Wisconsin in the past.

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the Wisconsin Catholic Conference

Wisconsin bishops announce new bishop reporting and accountability measures

MADISON — Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops have announced the implementation of a protocol and reporting system for misconduct allegations involving a bishop within the state.

The new protocol was developed and implemented over the past several months and adheres to the Holy Father’s apostolic letter Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the Light of the World”).

For many years, all five Wisconsin dioceses have had robust and effective systems in place for reporting and responding to allegations of misconduct by all Church personnel, but these new measures have been adopted to ensure even more careful oversight for allegations involving bishops.

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Kevin Wondrash

WCC supports Hmong community on 2020 World Day for Migrants and Refugees

From the Wisconsin Catholic Conference:

On September 27, 2020, the Church celebrates the World Day for Migrants and Refugees. In recognizing the unique contributions of immigrants and refugees, the Catholic bishops of Wisconsin have sent a letter to President Trump and other Administration officials acknowledging the special contribution of Hmong and Lao refugees. In a February 14, 2020, letter, the U.S. Department of State acknowledged ongoing negotiations with the government of Laos to accept deported Hmong and other Lao U.S. residents. The bishops of Wisconsin have asked the President to end these negotiations.

“We understand,” the bishops wrote, “that legal residents may be deported if they have committed certain crimes and that previous administrations have sent several hundred individuals back to Laos, but we urge you to limit, not amplify, such deportations.”

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the Wisconsin Catholic Conference

Wisconsin bishops to announce end of dispensation from Sunday Mass

In March, as communities responded to the growing coronavirus outbreak, the bishops of Wisconsin’s five Roman Catholic dioceses each granted a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. As the outbreak grew into a pandemic, all dioceses suspended the public celebration of Mass until it was safe to resume in-person worship.

In recent months, dioceses and parishes throughout the state have been able to resume public worship by adhering to strict safety standards and by restricting access to services for those who are symptomatic, sick, or at risk of serious illness. Throughout this time, the faithful have not been required to attend Mass on Sundays.

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Kevin Wondrash

Catholic Bishops of Wisconsin issue statement on unjust killings and recent protests

The following statement has been issued by the Roman Catholic bishops of Wisconsin:

Dearly Beloved,

In this traumatic time, we join with our brother bishops and committee chairmen of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in expressing our anger and tremendous sorrow over the recent brutal death of George Floyd and the violence that people of color have suffered at the hands of vigilantes and unprincipled public authorities across our nation. These unjust acts have unfortunately plagued our state and nation for centuries. All of us must respond with prayer, solidarity, and solace for the victims and their families, but this continuing brutality calls for even greater effort and action.

We encourage everyone to examine any attitudes of racism within themselves or others that contribute to a culture of disrespect of the dignity and rights of every human person. As noted in the USCCB statement “People of good conscience must never turn a blind eye when citizens are being deprived of their human dignity and even their lives. Indifference is not an option. ‘As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue.'”

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On
Cathy Lins

Relic of St. Jean Vianney available for veneration at Holy Hill

HUBERTUS, Wis. — The relic of the Incorruptible Heart of St. Jean (John) Vianney will be available for veneration at the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 23 and 24.

A six-month tour is taking the holy relic of the saint — popularly known as the Cure d’Ars — across the United States. The heart relic of St. Jean Vianney will visit cathedrals, churches, chapels, and seminaries.

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