New York State Catholic Conference
The New York State Catholic Conference represents the Bishops of the state in working with government to shape laws and policies that pursue social justice, respect for life and the common good. We provide a unified voice for the eight dioceses of the state to speak on such issues as education, poverty, family life, abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, social services, health care, criminal justice and the environment. We apply the principles of Catholic social teaching to critical issues of the day and encourage citizen involvement in the legislative process.
The Catholic Action Network (CAN), an arm of the Catholic Conference, gives us all a larger voice in the halls of government. Through our email and social media alerts, CAN reaches tens of thousands of Catholics like you to provide educational updates on the important issues being debated and to provide the tools to simplify the process of contacting your elected officials.
Encourage your whole parish to sign-up and join the Network.
USCCB Action Center
Visit the USCCB Action Center to view our current action alerts and sign up for future alerts so that you can contact your elected representatives to express your concerns and opinions on upcoming legislation.
Encourage your whole parish to register for action center alerts.
Action Items
- Diocesan Respect Life Sunday Mass
Please join Bishop Salvatore Matano and the Diocesan family to celebrate the beginning of the Respect Life Month in October in a Mass on Sunday, October 1 @ 11:15am at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Invite others to join us in prayer as we pray that all, in God’s love and compassionate love, choose life. View the invitation flyer for more details.
- After Roe: Becoming a Strong Pro-Life Advocate
On October 17 @ St. Mark’s Church you are invited to please join the parish community of St. Mark’s Church for a presentation by Fr. Jim Hewes, recognized and respected advocate for the Gospel of Life in the Diocese of Rochester. For more information please view the flyer invitation.
- NYSCC Opposition to SUNY and CUNY Abortion Pill Bill
Click here to read the Memorandum of Opposition, and call your representative!
- Dangers of Abortion Pills
Listen to the latest podcast from the New York State Catholic Conference on proposed legislation currently proposed in NYS, and contact your representative: https://www.nyscatholic.org/capitol-compass-podcast/
News Releases and Statements
- Statement from the Chairman of the USCCB Pro-Life Committee on the Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
June 24, 2023, marks the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v.
Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and we have much to celebrate! Read the statement here. - Letter from the USCCB to the Congress opposing the VA Rule and the DOD Policy
To read the letter from the USCCB to Congress opposing the VA rule and DOD policy, click here
- NYSCC Opposition to SUNY and CUNY Abortion Pill Bill
Click here to read the Memorandum of Opposition, and call your representative!
- U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Commends House for Passing “Born Alive” Bill
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives voted 220 to 210 today to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 26). “We commend the House of Representatives for passing legislation to protect innocent children from infanticide, and urge the Senate to follow suit,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities. “Babies who are born alive during the process of an abortion deserve compassionate care and medical attention – just the same as any other newborn baby.”
H.R. 26 would require health care providers to give children born alive after an attempted abortion the same medical care that they would for any child born at that same gestational age and to transport them to a hospital. On Tuesday, Bishop Burbidge sent a letter to members of the House urging them to vote for the bill. His letter and other resources may be found at: https://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/born-alive-bill.cfm
Educational Resources
- Statement from the Chairman of the USCCB Pro-Life Committee on the Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
June 24, 2023, marks the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v.
Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and we have much to celebrate! Read the statement here. - Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well
Augustine Institute has created a new, free resource for individuals and parishes! Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well offers a four part video series available on the website eternalrest.org. Also available on the website are posts and short videos addressing issues such as grief, palliative care, catholic funerals and more. Share with your communities and family!
- Building a Culture of Life in a Post-Roe World
Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has issued a moving statement on Building a Culture of Life in a Post-Roe World. Read the statement here!
- New York State Bishops Statement on Abortion available in English and Spanish
The New York State Bishops Statement, Toward a Pro-Life Future in the Empire State, is available in English and Spanish. For additional information, please visit the New York State Catholic Conference: https://www.nyscatholic.org/
Diocesan Public Policy Committee (DPPC)
The DPPC advises the Bishop on public policy matters, meets with legislators, and works to encourage parish participation in social justice advocacy addressing issues at the local, state, national and international levels. Click Here