A Question of Identity

Two millennia ago, Jesus asked his disciples "Who do people say I am?"  Their answers reflected the latest popularity polls and fads. "John the Baptist," they replied, or "Elijah," or "a prophet." This is one of the most important questions of all time.  

Peter provides the authentically truthful answer. "You are the Messiah."

We thank God--literally--that Jesus is the Messiah. This reality is the foundation of our Catholic Christian faith. Jesus is who He says He is!  

If we ask this question of identity to ourselves, we rejoice as Christians in our own identity as, first and foremost, a child of God, made in His Divine image. Some may not accept this reality, although it is still the truth. 

But what about those who are asking the culture to identify them as something they are not, or cannot be?   

There are children (encouraged, sadly, by some parents) who believe they were born in the wrong body. They wish to chemically or surgically change something biological about themselves that they "feel" inside their mind. They also want to compel others to accept this distortion of reality. Furthermore, they are forcing upon the culture a paradigm shift, reflected in the law, that has no basis in fact. We speak here of the gender ideology phenomenon inexplicably sweeping our culture.  

The Kansas Catholic Conference, reflecting Catholic Church Teaching, has always and ever "...invites us to love, respect and show compassion to all people. This includes people who do not share or embrace our view of the gift and beauty of human sexuality." Kansas Catholic Conference Help Not Harm Testimony

At the same time, we must advocate for legislation that reflects the truth of the human person, protects vulnerable people (especially children) and advances the common good. Here is where the highly emotional question of identity enters the public policy arena. 

This past week at the Kansas Statehouse, this question of identity surfaced during a legislative committee hearing on what some call the Given Name Act, " SB 76.  Identity is also a central issue in the Governor's veto of legislation known as SB 63 Help Not Harm Act, a measure that would mercifully end gender manipulation and mutilation procedures on children in Kansas through chemicals (puberty blockers) and genital surgery.

Testimony offered by opponents to SB 76 became uncivil and unhelpful. You can watch the hearing here: SB 76 Given Name Act Senate Committee Testimony, and take particular note of the exchange beginning at time code 36:26.  

Pam Ricard

Three years ago, Kansas math teacher Pam Ricard sued her local school board when it refused to give her a religious exemption from a policy requiring teachers to use the preferred names and pronouns of transgender students. Ricard was suspended for not referring to a student by their preferred name. You can read about the story here, Teacher Pam Ricard Story from Geary County, which ultimately led her being awarded $95,000 to settle the case. 

The Ricard case is a wake-up call for all of Kansas.  SB 76 is the legislative solution, but a deeper, longer lasting solution is the proper formation of our children. This issue has connections to Catholic Church Teaching, but it is also a case where common sense and biological reality must come into play.    

OVERRIDE THE HELP NOT HARM VETO!

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOTE YES TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO ON THE HELP NOT HARM BILL.  THIS VOTE IS EXPECTED SOON!

HERE IS MORE FROM THE VOICE OF THE KANSAS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE IN LEGISLATION THAT HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEK

SCR 1602 is a resolution encouraging the governor to fully cooperate with federal enforcement of immigration laws. The KCC testified in favor. 

HB 2136 and SB 87 are identical bills expanding student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program, increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program and providing for aggregate tax credit limit increases under certain conditions. The KCC testified in favor. 

HB 2062 is legislation designed to support mothers in unplanned pregnancies that would provide for child support orders for unborn children from the date of conception. The KCC testified in favor.

SB 71 is legislation increasing the criminal penalties for buying sexual relations, removing provisions regarding city ordinances prohibiting buying sexual relations, requiring certain offenders to complete an educational or treatment program regarding commercial sexual exploitation and requiring the attorney general to approve such programs in consultation with the office of judicial administration. The KCC testified in favor of this legislation. 

HB 2307 is legislation transferring the power to authorize and oversee certain activities regarding prenatal and postnatal diagnosed conditions awareness programs from the Department of Health and Environment to the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. The KCC supports this legislation. 

SB 75 is educational choice legislation establishing the education opportunity tax credit to provide an income tax credit for taxpayers with eligible dependent children who are not enrolled in public school. The KCC testified in favor of this legislation.  

SB 237  is legislation requiring the courts to consider the value of retirement accounts if a person loses income for certain reasons and eliminating the exemption of pension and retirement moneys from claims to fulfill child support obligations. The KCC testified in favor of this legislation. 

HB 2359 is legislation that will help ensure the dignity of people diagnosed with an I/DD at the end of life; and enacts the uniform adult guardianship and protective proceedings jurisdiction act and the uniform guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements act. The KCC testified in support of this legislation. 

BILL COMING UP THIS WEEK

HB 2311 is legislation prohibiting the State of Kansas from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and creating a right of action for violations. The KCC will testify in support of this legislation. 

THE KANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

LONG DAYS AHEAD ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE  

This week--Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, your State Senators and State Representatives will be "on the floor" all day, debating, passing or rejecting a large number of bills that have passed out of the various committees. In the Legislature, this is called "Turn Around" week. Many bills will "die" if they do not pass this week from their respective chambers. 

The Kansas Catholic Conference will very likely issue some VOTER ALERTS where your voice will be crucial to passing--or stopping--various pieces of legislation.  

Thank you for watching what's happening and for caring.  

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, pray for us!

Until next time, we persevere.  

Chuck Weber

Kansas Catholic Conference