Forum participants zero in on many issues

"Education investment tax credits. Talk to me about that," said Sister Hilary Davis, DC, of the Roarke Center in Troy.

Taking notes on a list of targeted objectives, she and others grouped around a table listened to a facilitator's explanation of the New York State Catholic Conference's position on the issue and prepared to defend it to their legislators.

At a nearby table, teenager Meredith Najewicz of St. Mary's parish in Crescent explained to her group that their message to an assemblyman would be more effective "if we spread out our ideas." Each group member agreed to focus on a particular issue.

Ready to lobby

Such was the scene during briefing sessions at last week's Public Policy forum, when more than 1,000 Catholics from across New York -- 145 of them from the Albany Diocese -- gathered at the State Capitol to talk with lawmakers on issues ranging from casino gambling to euthanasia.

Other targeted issues for the forum included partial-birth abortion, the preservation of Catholic health care, public-private job development initiatives, and an end to the Family and Children's Services block grant.

In addition to their meetings with legislators, participants attended workshops on the issues to be discussed and a Mass celebrated by Bishop John McGann of the Rockville Centre Diocese. The events were sponsored by the State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops in matters of public policy.

Press conference

During a morning press conference, Conference executive director John Kerry said that the forum was intended to "raise the moral dimension of public policy issues."

"We come here today to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves," stated Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, who called for a vote on banning partial-birth abortion, approved last year's ban on physician-assisted suicide and asked that casino gambling not be allowed.

Bishop Hubbard branded partial-birth abortion an "atrocity" that "continues in our state under the mantle of law." He said that the Church also has concerns for those at the end of life, and that hospice care and effective pain management are the ways to help the terminally ill, not assisted suicide.

Questioned on his opposition to casinos in light of many parishes' use of Bingo as a revenue source, he said that parishes have been encouraged to phase out Bingo if possible; he added that unlike casinos, Bingo games are not associated with organized crime, prostitution and an increase in welfare dependence.

Education and health

At the press conference, Dr. Catherine Hickey, superintendent of schools for the New York Archdiocese, explained that an education investment tax credit would "spark substantial private sector investment" for schools. She added that "we support the concept of charter schools, particularly because we already have them. They're called Catholic schools."

Bishop Henry Mansell of the Diocese of Buffalo addressed concerns about the preservation of Catholic health care. Citing an instance in which the Daughters of Charity religious order saved a non-Catholic hospital in Niagara Falls by taking it over, he protested "negative legislation" that would force Catholic healthcare institutions to offer abortions, medical sterilizations and other procedures.

"We have a responsibility to deliver health care according to our conscience and according to our moral and ethical convictions," Bishop Mansell stated.

Welfare and jobs

The discrepancy between the number of those being dropped from welfare rolls and the number of jobs available to them was examined by Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, executive director of Albany diocesan Catholic Charities. She urged the state to create public-private job partnerships to provide for those who reach their 60-month lifetime limit on receipt of welfare benefits.

Bishop Hubbard stated that "we're not in a position to care for all those who are going to need care if this job initiative program doesn't take place."

Sister Maureen also hoped that the legislature would "finish the job the Governor began" by eliminating the Family and Children's Services block grant, thus providing more funding for abused and neglected children. As it stands, she said, "children are receiving inadequate care, putting them more at risk."

Special Mass

A Mass for forum participants gave Bishop McGann the chance to connect his recent ad limina visit to Rome to participants' efforts to make their voices heard to legislators.

"We want to overcome the horrific practice of partial-birth abortion," the bishop stated in his homily. "We must be especially concerned about the poor, children, the uninsured and the underinsured. Health care is a right for every individual."

A public policy award was presented during the Mass to Assemblyman Eric Vitaliano (D-Staten Island) for having sponsored an amendment on partial-birth abortion in the State Assembly in 1996, sparking a public debate on the issue.

The assemblyman called the award a "special honor" that "I am receiving because I followed what my conscience demanded," and asked the group's prayers for his future efforts to do so.

Legislative visits

During the day, hundreds of Catholics dispersed to meet with their assigned legislators. While a joint session of the Senate and Assembly to appoint new members to the state Board of Regents kept several lawmakers from attending the meetings, other forum groups were successful in stating their message.

For example, about ten participants met with a representative of Assemblyman Ronald Canestrari (D-Albany). The group discussed the forum's targeted issues and added a few of their own, including the "Safe Schools/Safe Kids" program and requests for closure of the U.S. Army's School of the Americas.

"We're very concerned that our future generations are not getting the education they need," said Tracey Baran of St. Catherine of Siena parish, Albany, in asking for the introduction of education investment tax credits.

The assemblyman's representative explained that had never heard of the idea before. Protests by the group on bills that would force Catholic healthcare institutions to violate their beliefs received a similar answer. On some issues, however, the group's position and that of the assemblyman coincided. Sister Jaine McMullen, RSCJ, and Roger Markovics of Cathedral parish in Albany received encouraging responses to their respective queries on Mr. Canestrari's intention to vote against partial-birth abortion and casino gambling in New York State.

Reactions

The legislative meetings were the windup to the forum, which was described as encouraging by both Catholic leaders and participants. After meeting with Mr. Canestrari's aide, Mr. Markovics said that "he was good. He spent a lot of time with us. He listened and responded."

Al Turo, director of Catholic Charities for Montgomery County, told The Evangelist that during his own meeting with Assemblyman Paul Tonko (D-Albany), the assemblyman "generally seemed concerned."

Mr. Turo felt that "the legislators and their staff people are interested in what we have to say. The Church gave its opinion."

At the Catholic Conference, associate director Kathleen Gallagher applauded the press conference participants' integration of the forum's targeted issues. She was also pleased to have met with two legislators "in the middle of a very busy day."

Progress seen

Having met with Gov. Pataki, Bishop Hubbard cited several areas of progress. He stated that the Governor:

* "was open to the concerns we brought to his attention, especially in the area of partial-birth abortion...[and stated] his own belief that this is a barbarous practice";

* "was sensitive to the issues we raised about attacks on Catholic health care when mergers take place, and our need and right to have an institutional conscience";

* "recognizes the contributions our Catholic schools have made [and is] open to the idea of an education investment tax credit"; and

* "is concerned about there being not enough jobs once people reach their 60-month lifetime [welfare] limit, and `what can we do to stimulate more jobs for these people.'"

Bishop Hubbard also had a "very cordial and open meeting" with Senator Joseph Bruno (R-Albany).