California’s Catholic bishops are making their policy advocacy more accessible by publishing legislative letters online that explain the Church’s positions on bills moving through the state legislature.
The California Catholic Conference (CCC) recently announced that the letters, along with the text of key bills and other resources, are now available on its website, according to a May 14 press release from the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The CCC noted that the letters provide details on specific legislation and an explanation of the Catholic Social Teaching reasoning that underpins the bishops’ positions.
CCC Executive Director Kathleen Domingo said the resources help Catholics follow important issues and understand how the bishops are engaging in public policy.
“CCC legislative letters are one important part of those resources, offering a snapshot of the Conference’s position on specific bills at a particular point in the legislative process,” she said. “The letters can also help Catholics understand how to apply Catholic Social Teaching to developing and complex social, political, and economic issues impacting families.”
The letters are organized into distinct areas of Catholic Social Teaching, including uplifting vulnerable populations, advancing educational excellence, building sustainable communities, cultivating strong families, and embracing service.
The state’s two-year legislative session will conclude Aug. 31, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto bills.
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