18th-century painting by Francisco Goya of Saint Francis Borgia performing an exorcism.

THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE IS REAL

Legislative news and analysis from Chuck Weber and the Kansas Catholic Conference

Just two weeks left in the regular Legislative Session. This is when twists, turns and surprises or under-the-radar measures begin surfacing. Eventually, all issues must see the light of day before they can carry the force of law. Now is the time. 

The One Big Thing legislators must do is pass the Budget that determines how to spend your tax dollars.  After last year's tax cuts and spending free-for-all (relatively speaking) with the benefit of "leftover" federal COVID dollars, this year's financial picture for the State of Kansas reflects harsher economic realities. Appropriations for this budget category or that budget category come with greater difficulty. 

BEYOND THE MONEY

We have often talked before about the ongoing spiritual battle that takes place each day at the Capitol, even (and sometimes especially) when money is involved. Most of these struggles are unseen, but not always.  Beyond the dollars and cents, there are issues of great importance that can impact the lives of Kansans. These are the issues the Kansas Catholic Conference are most focused upon.     

First Floor Rotunda at the Kansas Capitol

EVIL EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS

An unexpected development is drawing our attention. A Satanic worship ritual (being called a "black mass") is scheduled to take place at the Capitol on Friday, March 28. 

Originally announced to happen in the first floor rotunda, the Governor and Legislative Leadership announced this past week the event was being moved outside. Some legislators applauded this change of venue as a victory of sorts. We do not see any real success in moving a despicable spectacle from the living room of the "People's House" to the front porch.

For their part, the Satanists plan to defy the Governor anyway. Most disconcerting, they claim to have a Consecrated Host--the Blessed Sacrament--that they say they will desecrate, along with the desecration of a Bible. We will explain more later in this newsletter how the planned Satanic ritual is an outrage specifically targeting Catholics, but all Christians.  It is far beyond an act of defiance or protest or rebellion.  It should not take place.

The Kansas Catholic Bishops condemn this vicious and intentional act of anti-Catholic bigotry and call upon Kansas Catholics and all people of goodwill to reach out and make their feelings known to the Governor and legislative leadership: Send a Message to the Governor and Legislative Leaders     

Beyond making your opinion known to elected leaders, the Catholic Bishops of Kansas are calling for peaceful prayer and fasting. Catholics can make use of many spiritual tools to respond, including the Sacraments. We are praying for the conversion and forgiveness of those instigating this hate. We also pray for our own personal conversion during this season of Lent as we journey to the Easter Vigil. 

In a related development, we must also report that St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wichita is the scene of a possible hate crime investigation after being broken into and severely vandalized. The FBI and other agencies are investigating.  There is evidence of a Satanic group's involvement, although this is not confirmed. An arrest has been made. We are reporting what we know on our Kansas Catholic Conference Facebook Page. 

Now, for a look at the legislative happenings of the last week--and a look ahead.

EDUCATIONAL CHOICE BILL MAKES HEADWAY

The Kansas Catholic Conference led off a strong line-up of conferees in a hearing on Monday, March 10, testifying in favor of an educational choice bill known as SB 87.  This bill would allow growth of Kansans' only real school choice program, the low income tax credit scholarship program.  You can read how the program works here: Kansas Low Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program Explained

Summarized, the program is a path that allows students from lower-income families to obtain scholarships via private donations. This program allows students to access the kind of education beyond the public school system that best suits their individual needs. For hundreds of Kansas students, this program has been a game changer.  

Unless SB 87 passes, academic progress and opportunities for current and future students will be threatened.   

You can watch the entire hearing here, starting at 23:00.  We are SO PROUD of our conferees who are fighting for our kids, many of whom use the program to attend a Catholic school. 

The "Best Conferee Award" of the day goes to the Diocese of Dodge City School Superintendent Trina Delgago and students from St. Mary's Catholic School in Garden City. Look for Mrs. Delgado and her kids at 1:13:33, again, accessing the hearing stream here.

Dodge City Catholic School Superintendent Trina Delgado and students from St. Mary's School in Garden City

We are happy to report that SB 87, which has already passed in the Senate, passed favorably out of the House Education Committee last Thursday. This measure now moves to the floor of the House where its future is uncertain. 

END-OF-LIFE PROTECTION FOR I/DD COMMUNITY ADVANCES

There is a fatal flaw in Kansas law regarding the rights of the intellectually and developmentally delayed in Kansas, also known as the I/DD community, at the end of life. The Kansas Catholic Conference has joined forces with the Kansas Disability Rights Council and Kansans For Life to "fix" this flaw. We are happy to report that the hearing for HB 2359 went very well last Tuesday. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed this measure to the full Senate where it awaits debate and a vote.

CHILD SUPPORT FROM CONCEPTION ADVANCES

ABORTION INDUSTRY CYNICISM EXPOSED

The Kansas abortion industry lobby will say or do just about anything to prevent any semblance of the Culture of Life advanced through legislation.  Case in point, a relatively minor, but potentially important bill designed to give mothers in an unplanned pregnancy the support they need while holding fathers accountable. Here's the story.  

Any parent knows, the financial burdens and expenses associated with a pregnancy begin long before delivery. There are prenatal care appointments with doctors, ultrasound exams, special vitamins and much more, depending on the pregnancy.  

This is why the Kansas Catholic Conference is advocating for passage of HB 2062, a bill that, if it becomes law, would allow a judge to consider requiring payments from fathers for child support to the mother dating back to when the child was conceived.  

This bill was debated on the Senate floor this past Tuesday. You can watch the debate unfold here, beginning at the 30-minute mark.  Around mark 39:15, Senator Patrick (D-Topeka) offers a tax exemption amendment. Schmidt promotes his amendment by talking about how we need to support Kansas families and their ability to grow. 

Senator Schmidt is correct!  The amendment passed! 

This amendment came as a great surprise because the child exemption idea is typically viewed as a "pro-life" measure. Senator Schmidt campaigned on his support for "abortion rights." A measure like this, which would encourage women and couples to bring a child into the world, is typically opposed by the abortion industry lobby. 

True to form, the abortion industry lobby lambasted Senator Schmidt immediately following the vote with this social media meme:

If your head is spinning, you're not alone.  A staunchly pro-abortion Senator offered a decidedly pro-life and pro-family amendment and made a cogent and forceful argument for passage. 

Sadly, and in yet another twist, Senator Schmidt actually ended up voting against the bill that he had been championing just a day earlier.  We can only assume that the abortion industry lobby scolded him for even coming close to supporting Kansas families.  

We extend our thanks to Senator Schmidt, and sympathize with his position.  He is absolutely correct that his child exemption amendment will help with the financial cost of bringing a child into the world.  But in the eyes of this abortion industry, helping families in this way is "anti-abortion," and is an "attack on our right to an abortion."

Let's be clear. There is nothing remotely related to stopping "abortion rights" in this bill, or in the amendment that Senator Schmidt offered. The fate of this legislation is unclear since the House and Senate versions are different and must be resolved before passage and a chance for the Governor's signature into law--or veto (and possible override by the legislature). 

The entire episode exposes the abortion industry lobby. Their goal is not the welfare of women and the building up of families. It is the financial gain through abortion, the loss of preborn children and a lack of empathy and care for women in unplanned pregnancies.    

ADOPTION PROTECTION FOR COUPLES ADVANCES

On Wednesday, March 12th, there was a hearing in the Senate Health Committee for HB 2311, a measure that will provide religious liberty protection for prospective adoptive couples.  

We invite you to watch the hearing here.  It includes a husband talking about how he and his wife went through all the foster care training classes.  However, just as they were completing their training to become eligible as foster parents, they were denied for how the State thought they would handle a child who identified as LGBTQ.  You can listen to his testimony at minute 8:30. It's only about 2 minutes long. 

This bill has already passed the House and we look forward to it passing the Senate Health Committee and making its way to the Senate floor for debate and vote.

THE MIRACLE OF LIFE

Proposed legislation in SB 275 would require Kansas public schools to show scientifically accurate films to students about fetal development. We are astounded that this measure is coming up against so much opposition--but then again we are not.  The abortion industry is in a constant state of willful ignorance about the beauty and reality of life developing in the womb. 

We invite you to watch the hearing here.  To no one's real surprise, Planned Parenthood opposes this reality check of the miracle of life.   

THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

Monday and Tuesday are the last two regular days of the Legislative Session.  Then legislators are "on the floor" for the rest of the week. The following week is Conference Committee week. This is when the real "sausage making" of legislation takes place, with negotiations and votes and many parliamentary maneuvers. 

A REMINDER

Archbishop Joseph Naumann will celebrate noon Mass on Friday, March 28 at Assumption Catholic Church directly north, across the street from the State Capitol. Eucharistic Adoration will precede the Mass, starting at 11 a.m. We ask that all people pray that the Satanic worship ritual does not take place.  If it does, we ask for a peaceful, prayerful presence in our churches.  

Please pray for your legislators these next two weeks. They will be under pressure from the world and from the powers of darkness.  

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Until next time, we persevere. 

Chuck Weber
Kansas Catholic Conference