Connecticut Catholic Conference Alert

ACTION ALERT

Urge the Public Health Committee to Support Health Care Reform

Vote "yes" on H. B. 6600
"An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Sustinet Plan"

Tomorrow, March 26th, the Public Health Committee will be voting on H.B. 6600. The Connecticut Catholic Conference urges the Committee members to vote "Yes" on this legislation so that comprehensive health care reform can continue to move ahead in Connecticut.Your State Senator or Representative are a member of the Public Health Committee. Click on the link at the end of this email and urge them to vote "Yes" on H.B. 6600.

Excerpt of March 2, 2009 Testimony by the Connecticut Catholic Conference:
The Connecticut Catholic Conference, the public policy office of Connecticut’s Catholic Bishops, and a member of the Interfaith Fellowship fro Universal Health Care, would like to urge the members of the committees represented here today to support H.B. 6600 “An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Sustinet Plan” and the concepts for health care reform it incorporates. The Conference recognizes that there are many other efforts underway within the legislature and the executive branch to improve our health care system, but feels that H.B. 6600 is the most comprehensive proposal currently before this legislature. We realize that many deliberations and compromises will occur before a final solution to the health care crisis is developed. H.B. 6600 should be used as the centerpiece for any future health care discussions because of its comprehensive nature.

Catholic social teaching holds health care to be a basic human right. This is reflected in the long history of the Catholic Church’s involvement in providing health care services within our own state and throughout the world. The Catholic Church has long been an active participant in the call for health care reform in our state and nationally.

The continuing increase in medical costs and its financial burden on business and family budgets, and the large number of uninsured persons, are the two primary factors pushing the calls for reform. The need for health care reform is clear as thousands of people within our state lack employer sponsored insurance or can not afford to purchase their own health care coverage. The uninsured also cause a continuing strain on our health care system as doctors and hospitals continue to provide care, but with little or no compensation for their services. These providers are dependent on the state and its taxpayers to help cover these uncompensated expenses.

The design of the Sustinet Plan contained in H.B. 6600 addresses the key factors that some other plans presented to this legislature lack. H.B. 6600 makes coverage available for all Connecticut residents despite their employment status, has affordable copays and premiums, provides quality levels of coverage, including dental, and supports preventive medicine. It also has several medical management provisions aimed at reducing costs through better and more comprehensive patient management.

Our state and nation, along with many families, are currently facing very difficult economic times. However, this should not deter this legislature from undertaking much needed health care reform. In the long run a quality universal health care system may end up saving the state money and making life more manageable for Connecticut families. Health care expenses are an ever increasing burden on many of our state’s families. Especially, as the number of unemployed continue to increase.

**This message comes from the Connecticut Catholic Conference***

Same Sex Marriage Bill Lacks Religious Protection

ACTION ALERT!!
Same-sex marriage bill (S.B. 899) Fails to Protect Religious Freedom The Judiciary Committee will soon be voting on Senate Bill 899 concerning same-sex marriage. This legislation places into state statutes the State Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in our state.

You are receiving this alert because a member of the Judiciary Committee is your elected State Senator or Representative. Please contact them and urge them to support amending the bill to protect religious organizations and individuals whose religious beliefs do not support same-sex marriage. Click on the link below to send them an email.

At a public hearing on March 6th, the Connecticut Catholic Conference testified that the bill must be amended to protect those who object to participating, in any manner, with a same-sex marriage ceremony, such as Justices of the Peace or vendors. (Read the testimony)

Across the country people have been charged with discrimination for refusing to participate in civil unions or commitment ceremonies. Religiously affiliated organizations, such as Catholic Charities in Boston, have also suffered the consequences of not recognizing same-sex marriage. Seante Bill 899 currently only states that clergy cannot be forced to perform same-sex marriages. There are no protections for any other people of faith or faith based organizations. Please read the testimony mentioned above and notify your State Senator or Representative to amend S.B. 899 so it respects the concept of religious freedom long held as an essential liberty in our society. Same-sex marriage may now be a civil right in our state. Religious freedom is an even older and a more basic civil right.

Click on the link below to send them an email.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:

http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/ctcc30117715.aspx

***This message comes from: the Connecticut Catholic Conference***

Link: http://www.ctcatholic.org/

March 2 Public Hearings

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE AND ABOLITION

OF THE DEATH PENALTY

On Monday, March 2, 2009

Public Hearing on Health Care Bills
A public hearing on health care bills is scheduled for this Monday, March 2, starting at 11 a.m. in Room 2C at the Legilative Office Building in Hartford (next to the Capitol). It is a joint public hearing hosted by three legislative committees: Insurance & Real Estate, Human Services, and Public Health.

If you would like to address our elected representatives about the need for better health care coverage now is the time. If you, a member of your family, or a friend suffers from lack of quality affordable health care now is the time to tell that story. Several bills are being heard that day. The Catholic Conference will be testifying in support of better health care coverage during its testimony on bill HB 6600 "An Act Concerning The Establishment of the Sustinet Plan"

There are 15 bills on the agenda, which will be heard in the order they appear in the Legislative Bulletin: Public Hearing - List of 15 Health Care Bills.

The SustiNet bill, HB 6600, will be heard last. The expectation is that the SustiNet bill will not be heard until mid- to late-afternoon, or even early evening.

Sign-up for the hearing starts at 8:30 a.m. in the first floor atrium at the LOB. If you would like to speak but cannot arrive until the afternoon please let the Catholic Confence (860-524-7882) know and we will sign you up and contact you with an estimated time of when you may be called to speak. We will need a contact number. You have three minutes to speak and may submit 85 copies of your testimony if you desire. If you do not wish to speak, but want to show your support for health acre reform please attend the hearing. Buttons showing support for health care reform will be available.

Public Hearing on Abolition of the Death Penalty

A public hearing on the abolition of the death penalty is also scheduled for this Monday, March 2, starting at 10 a.m. in Room 1D at the Legilative Office Building in Hartford (next to the Capitol). If you would like to address our elected representatives about the need to abolish the death penalty in Connecticut now is the time. The Catholic Conference will be testifying in support of HB 6578 "An Act Concerning The Penalty for a Capital Felony". This bill will remove the death penalty as punishment for a capital felony murder committed after the effective date of the bill and replace it with a life sentence with no chance of parol. The Connecticut Catholic Conference does have a reservation about the bill, since it does not impact those currently on death row or already charged with murder. The bill is not retroactive.

Sign-up for the hearing starts at 8:00 a.m. in room 2500 at the LOB. Speaker order is done by selection of a number. If you would like to speak, but cannot arrive early enough to get a number for speak, please let the Catholic Confence (860-524-7882) know and we will sign you up and contact you with an estimated time of when you may be called to speak. We will need a contact number. You have three minutes to speak and may submit 40 copies of your testimony if you desire. If you do not wish to speak, but want to show your support for abolition of the penalty please attend the hearing. Buttons showing support for abolition may be available.

***this message is from Connecticut Catholic Conference***

Save The Date!

Come Join Us for Our

10th Annual Catholic Awareness Day
Sponsored by the Connecticut Catholic Conference

Monday, February 9, 2009, at the State Capitol
in Hartford from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.


This is the day to learn and understand the Catholic viewpoint on
important issues facing our State, learn about the legislative process and plan to meet with your State legislators.

Attend one or more of the following workshops:

· Immigration
· Life Issues
· Health Care Reform
· Parochial School Challenges

Pastors are encouraged to send groups of parishioners.
Please see your pastor if you are interested in having a group
attend from your church.

Want to meet your legislator? Plan ahead and
make an appointment!

Senate Democrats:1-800-842-1420 Senate Republicans:1-800-842-1421
House Democrats: 1-800-842-1902 House Republicans:1-800-842-1423

For more information, contact the
Connecticut Catholic Conference at 860-524-7882
or visit our website at: www.ctcatholic.org
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CONNECTICUT CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
RELEASED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON ABORTION TRENDS AND ISSUES IN
CONNECTICUT TODAY

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
At the Legislative Office Building, Room 1C
at 1:00 p.m.

On the eve of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Connecticut Catholic Conference, as the public policy office of the Catholic Bishops of Connecticut, announced efforts to seek changes in Connecticut’s abortion laws to better protect minor teenage girls.

**this message is from the Connecticut Catholic Conference**

Health Care Reform in Connecticut

HEALTH CARE REFORM IN CONNECTICUT

"Affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life and a fundamental human right. With an estimated 47 million Americans lacking health care coverage, it is also an urgent national priority."

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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The upcoming legislative session will present our elected officials with many difficult choices as they try to balance our state budget during difficult financial times. However, one issue that must continue to make progress in our state is health care reform that provides coverage to the ever increasing number of uninsured. As unemployment increases, the number of people who will no longer be able to access health services will also increase. The uninsured in our state, which number in the hundreds of thousands, are comprised of not just the unemployed, but many working people who do not have a sufficient income to afford health insurance.

Employers are also becoming increasingly burdened by ever rising health care costs.

The Connecticut Catholic Conference is a member of the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care. More information will be provided to you on this very important topic as the 2009 legislative session progresses.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut will unveil a major proposal for health care reform in Connecticut on Tuesday, January 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Union Station in Hartford.

Although the Catholic Conference has not endorsed a particular solution to the health care crisis, we do encourage you to help to keep the drive for
health care reform alive - please try to attend this important event.

Your attendance will show our elected officials how important this issue is to the people of Connecticut.

**this notice is entirely from Connecticut Catholic Conference

Workshop: Strengthening the Catholic Viewpoint in the Political Arena

HEAR US NOW!!

"Strengthening the Catholic Viewpoint in the Political Arena"

Workshop sponsored by the Connecticut Catholic Conference

This workshop is for anyone interested in bringing the Catholic viewpoint to our elected officials,
organizing a parish advocacy group, and learning about the Conference’s 2009 legislative priorities.

Some of the topics covered will be:

- Overview of the Legislative Process
- The political challenges faced in making the moral and social concerns of the Church heard at the Capitol
- How to effectively interact with your elected officials and make them more responsive
- Organizing an advocacy group in your parish
- Coordinating our efforts at the parish and state levels (Speaking as one voice)
- 2009 Legislative Agenda of the Connecticut Catholic Conference

Registration 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. (light supper provided)
Program 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Dates and Locations:

Monday, January 5, 2009 – St. James Parish, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 – St. Joseph Parish, 11 Baltic Road, Norwich (Occum)

Thursday, January 8, 2009 – St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 203 East Avenue, Norwalk
(Parish Center across the street from the Church)

PLEASE RSVP BY DECEMBER 19, 2008 ONLY IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND .

Email the Connecticut Catholic Conference at: ccc@ctcatholic.org

Or Call: 860-524-7882

**This announcement comes from the Connecticut Catholic Conference**

Road to Healthcare4every1 Announcement

The following is an announcement from Connecticut Catholic Conference:

Access to quality and affordable health care for every one of Connecticut’s citizen is the goal of many health care advocates around the state. The Connecticut Catholic Conference has been an active participant in the call for health care reform in our state. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has also been supportive of reform efforts on the national level. Catholic social teaching holds health care to be a basic human right. This is reflected in the long history of the Catholic Church’s involvement in providing health care services within our own state and throughout the world.

The continuing increase in medical costs and its financial burden on business and family budgets, and the large number of uninsured persons, are the two primary factors pushing the calls for reform. These calls are being slowly answered by Connecticut’s General Assembly and Governor. During the 2007 session of the General Assembly two special health care authorities were established to examine various aspects of the health care issue in Connecticut. The HealthFirst and Primary Care Access Authorities having been recently holding public hearings around the state and will be reporting their findings to the legislature in 2009.

Also, at the strong urging of the Governor the Charter Oak Health Plan was established in 2008 to help cover uninsured persons. This plan has encountered a slow and problematic start, but is beginning to build momentum. However, this plan still falls short of the goal of affordable and quality health care for everyone.

The 2009 legislative session is expected to see intense activity on the issue of health care reform. The reports from the special state health care authorities and a major proposal from the Connecticut based Universal Health Care Foundation are sure to stimulate intense discussion. The reality of an ever increasing state budget deficit is also expected to impact the debate and any possible outcomes. However, the need for health care reform is clear as thousands of people within our state lack employer sponsored insurance or can not afford to purchase their own health care coverage. The uninsured also cause a continuing strain on our health care system as doctors and hospitals continue to provide care, but with little or no compensation for their services. These providers are dependent on the state and its taxpayers to help cover these uncompensated expenses.

The Connecticut Catholic Conference is a member of a special committee of faith based organization sponsored by the Universal Health Care Foundation. The purpose of this committee is to raise the moral issues and questions surrounding the right to quality health care. The Connecticut Catholic Conference and this committee look forward to addressing and endorsing a workable solution to this very complex problem. (reprinted from the November issue of the Connecticut Catholic Conference Advocacy Network Newsletter)

Please try to attend one of the events below to show support for health care reform and learn more about the issue.

Special Note: The Connecticut Catholic Conference has not endorsed a particular health care proposal at this time, but urges action on this critical issue. Although an increasing state budget deficit may make addressing this issue difficult, it needs serious legislative discussion and consideration. As the economy worsens so will the number of people without health care coverage.

On the Road to Healthcare4every1
Healthcare4every1 campaign road shows coming to a town near you…
The Healthcare4every1 Campaign will be taking the show on the road starting December 9th in Torrington (see schedule below).

The Road Show will be crossing the state and ending in Hartford on January 13th with the unveiling of the complete Healthcare4every1 proposal.

Save the Date
Tuesday, December 9th 5:30pm – Torrington – Torrington City Hall at 140 Main St.

Wednesday, December 10th 6:00pm – Hamden – Hamden Middle School at 2623 Dixwell Ave

Tuesday, December 16th – Willimantic – Capitol Theater at 896 Main Street

Wednesday, December 17th 6:00 pm - Meriden – John Barry School at 124 Columbia St.

Thursday, January 8th 6:00 pm – Norwalk – Norwalk City Hall Community Room at 125 East Ave.

Tuesday, January 13th 5:30pm – Hartford – Union (Train) Station at 1 Union Plaza

Catholic Awareness Day in Hartford

The Connecticut Catholic Conference is holding a Catholic Awareness Day in Hartford at the State Capitol on February 9, 2009 . This is a day to learn the Catholic viewpoint on important public issues facing our State, learn how the legislative process works, and how to communicate with your State legislators. You are urged to make appointments with your State legislators on this day to discuss issues of concern to you. The Bishops of Connecticut will also be making statements on important public policy issues.

Each parish is being encouraged to send a group of parishioners. Please see your pastor if you are interested in attending and try to get a group from your parish to attend.

CATHOLIC AWARENESS DAY

Monday February 9, 2009

9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sponsored by
The Connecticut Catholic Conference

VOTE YES! On Question #1

THE CONNECTICUT CATHOLIC CONFERENCE URGES YOU TO
VOTE YES! ON QUESTION #1
SUPPORT A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
ON ELECTION DAY!

The goal is to have a Constitutional Convention convened to change our state Constitution and to allow for the right of initiative and referendum. This will allow the citizens of Connecticut to vote on proposals that will improve our life in Connecticut. It will allow the voice of the people to be heard above partisan politics and special interests.
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The legislature has failed to act on a variety of issues of concern to the people of Connecticut that effect our families, property and safety.

The legislature has:
-Failed to define marriage in our Constitution leading to the imposition of same-sex marriage on the people of Connecticut through judicial activism.
-Failed to enact significant eminent domain reform to prevent the seizing of private property for use by private developers as occurred in New London
-Failed to enact a three strikes law for repeat felons
-Failed to enact property tax reform
-Failed to seriously consider term limits on public officials
-Failed to enact laws requiring parents to be notified when their teen daughter receives an abortion
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Legislative leaders and representatives many times fail to act because they are greatly influenced by the special interest groups that don’t represent your interests or views. Review some of the groups that are opposed to increasing the voice of the people of Connecticut and opposed to a “Yes” vote on Question #1.

SOME OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS OPPOSED TO QUESTION #1.

Connecticut Education Association National Education Association American Federation of Teachers Liberals Like Christ
American Civil Liberties Union of CT CT Transadvocacy Coalition
CT National Organization for Women NARAL Pro-Choice CT
CT Assoc. of Public School Superintendents Love Makes a Family
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Planned Parenthood of CT
Queers Without Borders Trial Lawyers Association
Coalition for Reproductive Choice of CT
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“Therefore, we will be calling on the Catholic people of our state to vote “Yes” for a Constitutional Convention and the right of referendum on Election Day." -
Statement on Same-sex Marriage Court Decision by the Catholic Bishops of
Connecticut, October 10, 2008

“Any time you can have public participation in government, I think you are better served by it". - Gov. M. Jodi Rell, September 26, 2008.(Newsday)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO POST A LAWN SIGN IN YOUR YARD

PLEASE CONTACT THE CONNECTICUT CATHOLIC CONFERENCE AT 860-524-7882

Email From Connecticut Catholic Conference

Connecticut Catholic Conference, on behalf of the Catholic bishops, clergy, religious, and laity of the State of Connecticut, condemns today’s Connecticut Supreme Court decision on same-sex “marriage”; calls for a “Yes” vote on a Constitutional Convention

HARTFORD, Friday, October 10, 2008, 3:30 p.m. – Reacting to today’s decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court on same-sex “marriage,” the Connecticut Catholic Conference, representing the Catholic bishops, clergy, religious, and laity of the State of Connecticut (more than 1.3 million people), issued the following statement:

The Catholic Bishops of Connecticut and the Connecticut Catholic Conference are extremely disappointed in this close 4-3 decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court which imposes the recognition of same-sex marriage upon the people of Connecticut. This decision is in direct conflict with the position of our state legislature and courts of other states and is a terribly regrettable exercise in judicial activism. Four people have not just extended a supposed civil right to a particular class of individuals, but have chosen to redefine the institution of marriage. The Connecticut Supreme Court has taken upon itself to make a determination that other courts throughout our nation have felt should be made through the political process. Courts in other states, with the exception of Massachusetts and California, have ruled that marriage is a special institution in our society, not a civil right, and chose not to redefine it. Those courts felt that altering this historical and special institution was a legislative matter, and should be left to elected officials and the people they represent. It appears our State Supreme Court has forgotten that courts should interpret laws and legislatures should make laws. In its decision today, the Connecticut Supreme Court stated again their philosophy that “as we engage over time in the interpretation of our State Constitution, we must consider the changing needs and expectations of the citizens of our State.” Determining the “contemporary” views of the public is the responsibility of the legislature, not the judiciary.In his dissent, Justice Peter Zarella makes the important and obvious point that “the majority fails, during the entire course of …. (this) … opinion, even to identify, much less to discuss, the actual purpose of the marriage laws, even though this is the first, critical step in any equal protection analysis.” The majority utterly failed to consider the relationship between the laws of marriage and family. As Justice Zarella maintains, “The ancient definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman has its basis in biology, not bigotry.”The Supreme Court of Connecticut has chosen to ignore the wisdom of our elected officials, the will of the people, and historical social and religious traditions spanning thousands of years by imposing a social experiment upon the people of our state. In 2005, the Connecticut General Assembly, while enacting civil union legislation to expand certain rights to same-sex couples, recognized the social importance and uniqueness of traditional marriage through their action of specifically defining marriage in statute as a relationship between one man and one woman. Our elected officials recognized that the people of Connecticut did not want the institution of marriage redefined in our state. This position is also reflected in federal law, which defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. This decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court also raises a very real concern about the infringement on religious liberty and freedom of speech with the judicial imposition of same-sex marriage. The real battle in this court case was not about rights, since civil unions provide a vast number of legal rights to same-sex couples, but about conferring and enforcing social acceptance of a particular lifestyle; a lifestyle many people of faith and advocates of the natural law refuse to accept. This ruling creates an inevitable conflict between people of faith, the natural law and the authority of the State.Therefore, we will be calling on the Catholic people of our state to vote “Yes” for a Constitutional Convention and the right of referendum on Election Day.

**This comes entirely from an email from the Connecticut Catholic Conference.
(emphasis by Connecticut Catholic Corner)