Catholic Advocacy Day

February 13, 2015|Adam Minihan|OutsideTheWalls

Pope Francis said “People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens,…”. Oklahoma Catholics will band together to raise our voices for fair and just laws.

“Catholics Advocacy Day” will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 from 8:00 am to Noon at the State Capitol. This advocacy day gives Catholic voters and leaders the opportunity to talk with legislators about proposed legislation which affects those that our faith calls us to serve. The meeting will be on the second floor of the State Capitol in the Blue Room.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop Edward J. Slattery will speak about how the moral and social teachings of our Church apply to legislation before the Legislature. Archbishop Coakley urges all Catholics to examine issues affecting the most vulnerable among us “not primarily from the perspective of partisan politics or enlightened self interest, but in the light of our Catholic Faith”.

“Advocacy 101” workshop will be held February 24th 2015 at Church of the Madalene at 1:00 p.m. Richard Klinge, the Director of Advocacy and Legal Services at Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City will be speaking about the basics regarding the legislative process and developing relationships with legislators. The workshops are sponsored by the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women for Catholics to participate.

The “Advocacy Day Update” Webinar will be held on March 17 at 7 pm to cover the pending legislative issues to be discussed with legislators. To register for the free workshops or the Webinar, contact beckyvanpool@catholiccharitiesok.org or 405-523-3003.

Catholic Advocacy Day is sponsored by Catholic Charities annually for all Catholics meet their legislators at the Capitol to discuss pending legislation and advocate for moral and just laws. Legislators are invited to meet participants for the morning presentations at 8:15 am. Attendees can find the names and contact information for their Representative and their Senator at http://www.oklegislature.gov/. Personal invitations to legislators from participants are recommended.

To register or to ask any questions, call Becky VanPool, Director of Parish Outreach and Program Development at Catholic Charities, at 405-523-3003 or email her at bvanpool@catholiccharitiesok.org.