Catholics speak out at Capitol

Hundreds of New York's Catholics descended on the State Capitol in Albany March 11 for the 11th annual Public Policy Forum, sponsored by the state's bishops.

Advocating on behalf of the poor, vulnerable and voiceless, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany; Bishop Henry J. Mansell of Buffalo; Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, executive director of Albany diocesan Catholic Charities; and Kathleen Gallagher, associate director of the New York State Catholic Conference, spoke at a press conference that began the day of workshops, lobbying and prayer.

"Because so many people are poor and marginalized, we cannot afford the luxury of silence," Bishop Hubbard said at the press briefing in explaining why the Catholics had turned out.

The State Senate's vote on March 10 to ban partial-birth abortions, the U.S. Supreme Court case on physician-assisted suicide, and cloning were among current issues addressed by Bishop Hubbard.

The legislative objectives for the day included a ban on partial-birth abortions; funding to enable parents to choose their child's school; welfare reform proposals that provide employment opportunities, decent wages and a safety net for those unable to work; strengthened legal protection for Catholic health and human service workers and providers; opposition to physician-assisted suicide; preserving essential services for the poor and ill in the state budget; and opposition to casino gambling.

While Catholics, like others, face challenges when advocating their positions, panel members spoke of the effect Catholics can have on the legislative process.

"It always feels like we're climbing a mountain when we come to Albany," said Bishop Hubbard. However, he added, Catholics and other religious groups played a significant role in the defeat of the Senate bill on casino gambling. He also reported that national leaders stated during the recent federal welfare reform efforts, that Catholics have been the only consistent force in defending the poor.

"Our focus is on people in need," said Bishop Mansell. "So much of this is a partnership. The Catholic Church provides the largest hospital system, the largest social service system and one of the largest school systems in the country. When we speak [on the issues], we speak through first-hand experience as well as our convictions."

(Additional coverage of the Public Policy Forum will appear in next week's issue of The Evangelist.)

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