Catholic Lobby Day

 

Catholic Lobby Day is an annual statewide event hosted by the California Catholic Conference, the official voice of the Catholic Church in California’s public policy arena, representing the state’s Bishops on legislation and social issues.

 

Catholics from all over the state are invited to gather in the state capitol to celebrate Mass together at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, to rally on the steps of the Capitol, and to meet with legislators to speak on behalf of those who are poor, vulnerable or voiceless.

 

The specific issues designated for lobbying on Catholic Lobby Day are determined by the staff of the California Catholic Conference and based upon the Church’s fundamental teaching regarding the dignity of the human person. Specific legislative bills are selected based on the current legislative calendar and, generally, fall into such issue categories as respect for life, immigration, health care, food security, etc.

 

 

From a statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Faithful Citizenship: a Catholic Call to Political Responsibility:

“In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation. All believers are called to faithful citizenship, to become informed, active, and responsible participants in the political process. As we have said, ‘We encourage all citizens, particularly Catholics, to embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity meaningfully to participate more fully in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every vote counts. Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power.’ Even those who are not citizens are called to participate in the debates which shape our common life.”

 

Resources

 

The following are useful brochures published by the California Catholic Conference:

• Guidelines for Pastors and Parishes on Advocacy, Lobbying and Political Action
  This brochure helps clarify what is acceptable activity for individuals, church leaders, parishes, and other church organizations. Available in English and Spanish.

 

• How To Lobby
  This brochure contains useful information for letting your legislator know what you think through a constituent visit and through phone calls and writing letters. Also includes a summary of the process for how a bill becomes a law.


• Guidelines for Candidates’ Forums
  This brochure includes specific guidelines for hosting or sponsoring a political forum.



• Find your California Senator and Assembly member by entering your zip code.

• Find the text, status, history, votes, and legislative committee analyses for a specific bill.

• Find the entire list of 2007 major and significant legislation identified by the California Catholic Conference.

 

 

Links to national organizations with advocacy efforts:

 

Catholic Relief Services
www.catholicrelief.org

Catholic Campaign for Human Development
www.usccb.org/cchd

California Catholic Conference
www.cacatholic.org

Catholic Charities USA
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

USCCB – Social Development and World Peace
www.usccb.org/sdwp

Maryknoll
www.maryknoll.org

PICO (People Improving Communities through Organizing)
www.piconetwork.org

Bread for the World
www.bread.org

Pax Christi USA
www.paxchristiusa.org

NETWORK – A Catholic Social Justice Lobby
www.networklobby.org

Jericho for Justice
www.jerichoforjustice.org

USCCB – Pro-Life Activities
www.usccb.org/prolife

Justice for Immigrants Campaign
www.justiceforimmigrants.org

Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the U.S.
www.svdpusa.org

 

 

 

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