MERCY FOR ALL

Legislative news and analysis by Chuck Weber, Kansas Catholic Conference

The intersection of religion and politics is messy.  The beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday represents a fresh start for all of us.  

Many will recognize the photo above, ashes and all, depicting former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of California. So-called "progressive Catholics" hail her as an independent thinker, a Catholic, but not beholden to the Catholic Church. 

Many others consider the former Speaker an embarrassment who represents everything wrong about Catholic political leaders in America.  Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco has asked that Pelosi not present herself for Holy Communion until and unless she repudiates her unwavering support for abortion. 

What does all this have to do with culture, politics and policy, and why is this important?  

Today, (statistically speaking), 50+ preborn lives have been lost in Kansas through abortion. That staggering, almost incomprehensible number is nothing short of a tragedy. Under the current state legal landscape, there is little that can be done in response. We yearn for the day when abortion in our culture is an unthinkable option. At the same time, there is little doubt that public policies and laws play a part in this life and death struggle. 

The Kansas Catholic Conference advocates for (and against) a wide variety of legislative measures covering multiple topics. Educational choice, justice in immigration policy, mental health services and much more are but a few examples. 

These and many other issues fall into the category of "prudential judgment."  That means we have to apply Catholic moral principles in a careful evaluation of the situation to determine the best course of action. Prudential judgment is based on the virtue of prudence, which helps people make good decisions. 

When it comes to issues of prudential judgment, people of good faith can, and often do, come to different conclusions. As my colleague from North Dakota writes here, Explaining Prudential Judgment, making a prudential judgment is not an excuse for making unsound or bad decisions on difficult policy issues of the day. 

Issues involving principles of doctrine and morality are another question entirely. The protection of life for the preborn is, as the Catholic Bishops of the United States (and Kansas) say, pre-immiment. Put another way, this teaching is the most important.  Without life, there are no other rights.  

This past week, a news media report distorted beyond recognition the Kansas Catholic Conference's position on immigration. This sort of media misrepresentation is not new, but is still disappointing. Many people were confused and angry. We cannot do anything about poor journalism, other than to invite a rereading of what we have said before about this complex and complicated issue. There are no easy answers: KCC newsletter last week (scroll down to THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE CONTINUES)

Yes, immigration is important.  So are other issues. But we wonder--can we generate the same passion for defending life and mothers from the predatory abortion industry?  

In the Kansas Legislature there are many "Nancy Pelosi's" who say they are Catholic, and even attend Mass regularly, but fail, time and time again, to protect the babies and the moms through their votes and the rule of law. This is not "judging." This is fact, on the record. Catholics simply can't be "Pro Choice." Abortion and Catholic Elected Officials.

NO FINGER WAGGING

In politics and life, pointing out the truth is not judgmental. But how we go about correcting others is the key. No finger wagging allowed!  As this week's Gospel tells us, make sure you remove the beam from your own eye before pointing out the splinter in another.  Again, it's not easy. 

The Lenten Season challenges those engaged in this often high-pressure, high-emotion legislative process to speak the truth with love.  Lent can be a time of conversion for ourselves and for others. Listen. Pray. Learn. Be charitable. 

The mercy Christ suffers and died for at Calvary is for all of us.    

LAST WEEK AT THE KANSAS STATEHOUSE

It was a short week in the legislature due to the "turnaround break" with no session on Monday and little work done on Friday as both Democrats and Republicans geared up for their party events in Topeka and Goodland. 

There were hearings on bills to require certain state workers to be at their desks (not remote work), election integrity bills, property tax proposals and more. The pace will again pick up this coming week.  

Proposed changes to how Kansas selects new members to the State Supreme Court, a process known as Judicial Selection, began this past Tuesday with a hearing in the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs.  You can read about the proposed change here: SCR 1611. Kansas has a process for selecting supreme court justices unlike any other state. 

The Kansas Catholic Conference does not currently hold a position on this question, but we have deep reservations about the current system that places the majority of power for judicial appointments in the hands of unelected attorneys. Here is an article that summarizes the way we select Supreme Court justices and its impact on Kansas policies. The Triple Play and the Kansas State Supreme Court

Women seeking child support from the men responsible for the baby they carry need assistance from the moment of pregnancy.  Prenatal vitamins or supplements, early sonograms, maternity clothes for work and a number of other expenses are typically the burden of the mom carrying the child.  We believe the father of the child should be financially responsible, and if not, a judge should step in. Last Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on HB 2062, a bill that, if it becomes law, would allow a judge to consider ordering child support payments from the time of conception.  Here is the link to watch the hearing. You can review the hearing here, starting at 6:40: Senate Judiciary Hearing on Child Support for the Unborn

The KCC is closely following a program known as MHIT, which stands for Mental Health Intervention Team.  This is a pilot program many years old that, for the first time last year, included non-public schools, including Catholic schools. On Thursday afternoon there was an informational hearing in House Health regarding the MHIT program, with a bill being presented next week that will solidify MHIT in statute if passed int law. 

Go Ravens!

We were very excited and honored to host visitors from Benedictine College this past Thursday.  Professor Lynzee Barstad brought students from her Political Science Communications class to tour the Capitol, sit in on a hearing, watch part of the House in session, and then have a discussion with our KCC staff over lunch about politics and communication.  

We have provided our qualified support for SB 179, a child tax credit bill being heard in the Senate Tax Committee on Monday.  Raising children is a pricey proposition, and if we can give moms and dads a financial break, that may encourage more and larger families. 

On Monday afternoon in the House Judiciary Committee, there is a hearing for SB 71, a measure increasing criminal charges for buying sex.  This bill has already passed the Senate floor, 40-0. The Kansas Catholic Conference is testifying in favor of this legislative proposal. 

On Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the House Education Committee, there is a hearing for SB 76-, a measure known as the Given Name Act.  This bill passed the Senate 26-14. If this measure becomes law, it will provide teachers in public schools the protection they need when a student wants to be called one name at school, (their "transition" name), but another name when communicating with that child's parents. The Kansas Catholic Conference supports this bill.  

Also on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., in the House Health Committee, there is a hearing for HB 2236,  which will put MHIT (see above) into the Kansas statute, and it will no longer be a year-to-year program.  We anticipate a number of Catholic school administrators and parents will be in Topeka to testify about the benefits of this program. 

On Thursday in the Senate Health Committee, there will be a hearing for HB 2307, providing prenatal and post-natal diagnosis assistance for parents if their child has a disability. This previously passed the House 122-0.

PRAY FOR POPE FRANCIS

As we prepare to send this newsletter late Sunday afternoon, there is some encouraging news about the condition of Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for 17 days. The Vatican News reports: Pope Francis continues to receive oxygen and has no fever. This morning, he participated in Mass. The prognosis remains guarded.

We invite you to stay connected with what's happening at the Kansas Statehouse.  Here are links to help you stay connected with and follow the Kansas Legislature:

Kansas Legislature YouTube – Here you can follow the legislature live as it happens, or access archives of past sessions and committee meetings.

Kansas Legislature Audio – Here you can listen in on session or committees when they are in session, or access prior committee meetings, as well.

Kansas Legislature Website – Find extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, and past sessions. 

We did not have time this week, but perhaps next week we can provide you with details about some of the tension that has been displayed at the Statehouse in recent weeks. Passion is great, disrespect for the process, people and institutions is counterproductive.  Please pray for your elected officials so they make wise decisions that serve the common good.  If you have questions about Kansas policies or politics, please feel free to reach out.  

My email address is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Until next time, we persevere!

Chuck Weber
Kansas Catholic Conference