Connection between church and state topic of TV shows

The brainchild of Conference associate director Kathleen Gallagher, "Capitol Compass" seeks to inform Catholics about the legislative process and public policy issues. Set to air once a month until June, each show features an elected official and a person involved in Church ministry speaking on an issue selected by Mrs. Gallagher, the host.

The Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops in public policy matters, "is always looking for new ways to inform greater numbers of Catholics about the role they should play" in government, said Mrs. Gallagher. Since the Conference had already instituted a web site, she noted, a television program seemed the next logical way to "get into homes."

The name "Capitol Compass" came about because "it's an attempt to help people find their way," she said. "The public policy process can be so intimidating."

The half-hour show, produced in collaboration with the Albany diocesan Media Office, has been sent to other dioceses for distribution. Guests for the first episode, a general discussion on lobbying, are Assemblyman Denis Butler (D-Queens) and the Conference's executive director, John Kerry.

The second show will discuss threats to and the preservation of Catholic health care, with guests Assemblyman John Faso (R-Coxsackie) and Tom Dee, president of Catholic Hospital in Kingston.

With all of the issues on the Legislature's plate, the host remarked that "I don't think we'll ever run out of material."

"Capitol Compass" will air locally on WTEN-Channel 10 and Time-Warner Cable, but the show may also be used in training sessions statewide, in schools and on religious television networks, such as the one in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

"I am excited about it," Mrs. Gallagher said. "It's a new venture, and it's a good one, I think."

(The first episode of "Capitol Compass" will be shown on WTEN-Channel 10 on March 7 and 14 at 6:30 a.m. Check your local listings for other broadcast times. The New York State Catholic Conference's web site is www.nyscatholicconference.org.)

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