“Do not light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:15
The 2026 Session of the Kansas Legislature begins Monday, January 12.
Politics and public policy can be messy. Mutual contempt for opposing views in the public square is too often the norm. The result is confusion and exhaustion. Leaving the tough debates and discussions to others is the preferred way out.
Catholics cannot ignore what is happening around us. We cannot place our "light," the gift of Catholic Church Teaching, under a basket. Our culture needs the Catholic way more than ever.
The Kansas Catholic Conference (KCC) is the voice of the Kansas Catholic Bishops on matters of public policy. We seek to spread the light of the Gospel in the halls of the Kansas Statehouse and Washington, D.C. We extend an invitation to the Catholic way.
It is our hope and intention to send out this e-newsletter each Sunday evening during the Legislative Session, beginning now and concluding in early April, to let you know what's happening at the Kansas Statehouse.
Before looking too far ahead, we offer here a look back at a select few significant legislative and cultural events of 2025. It is our hope that by reflecting on the past year we better prepare ourselves for the future.
JANUARY 2025
SCHOOL CHOICE RALLY AT THE CAPITOL
The Kansas Capitol, often referred to as "The People's House," came alive when legislators returned on the first Monday of January when the 2025 Legislative Session officially opened.
Within the first two weeks, the KCC had helped organize and promote the annual school choice rally, took part in Marches for Life in Topeka and Dodge City, and perhaps most importantly, hosted legislators, legislative staff and others for the annual Red Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Topeka. The power and presence of the Holy Spirit was invoked at the Red Mass as we dedicated prayers to our civic elected officials and their important work and decisions impacting the lives of Kansans.
THE RED MASS
FEBRUARY 2025
By the first of February, significant legislation was swiftly moving through the various House and Senate committees. Legislation known by some as The Baby Olivia Bill began moving forward and eventually became law. The law requires that a scientifically accurate video depicting the fetal development of an unborn child from conception to birth be shown in Kansas public school classrooms each year. The Baby Olivia Video is one example.
The legislative journey for HB 2062 that eventually became law saw a lot of action in February. Designed to support mothers in unplanned pregnancies, this new law supported by the Kansas Catholic Conference now allows a judge to order child support payments from biological fathers to new mothers beginning with the estimated date of conception.
BETTER END-OF-LIFE PROTECTIONS
Through a little-known quirk in Kansas law, certain Kansans with disabilities were not adequately protected or legally represented when facing medical complications at the end of life. That has all changed now that HB 2359 is the law of the land, thanks in large part to efforts by the KCC.
Delayed by a year due to a last-minute "flip-flop" of votes, the Help Not Harm bill became law, thanks to a veto override in both the House and Senate. This new law is now protecting Kansas children from insidious transgender surgical and chemical procedures.
It is a sad fact that more than 50 preborn lives are being lost EACH DAY in Kansas because of abortion. Legally speaking, there is little we can do to protect moms and babies from the abortion industry. But we CAN help provide alternatives to abortion. The Kansas budget process kicked into high gear in February and the Kansas Catholic Conference is proud to have helped advocate for increased funding for the Kansas Pregnancy Compassion Act. Funding approved by the Legislature was eventually increased from $2 million to $3 million annually. Funds are distributed in grants to maternity homes and pregnancy resource centers administered by The Kansas Pregnancy Care Network. These grants save lives and help mothers in difficult pregnancies!
TRUMP WAS WRONG ABOUT IVF
The desire for a child from parents is good and holy. As many as one in 12 couples suffer from infertility. There are good and ethically acceptable methods of addressing infertility, in addition to the gift of adoption. IVF is NOT the answer, for many reasons, not the least of which is the creation of living human embryos that are either frozen or discarded and destroyed. The Kansas Catholic Conference was deeply disturbed by an executive order from the White House in February designed to expand access to IVF. Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Expands Access to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – The White House. This is both a political issue and a deeply personal one. We encourage couples experiencing infertility to explore better and safer options than IVF! https://bloomcyclecare.com/
PROTECTING THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS
The Kansas Catholic Conference testified in favor of legislation designed to protect couples seeking to adopt a child from unfair or discriminatory action in an adoption placement. Put another way, if the couple believes in the natural biological state of a child—a boy or girl—that belief cannot be used to deny them custody of a child. This legislation, known as HB 2311, passed the Legislature overwhelmingly and became law after an override of the Governor's veto.
MARCH 2025
GRAPHIC: FOX NEWS
BLACK MASS STUNT FIZZLES OUT
In early March, members of a Satanic group from Leavenworth began efforts to host a so-called "Black Mass" inside the State Capitol. The Kansas Catholic Conference was gratified to see the Legislature put forth a Resolution condemning this crude publicity stunt and act of anti-Catholic bigotry. The Resolution passed the Senate overwhelmingly, but sadly,15 Democrats in the House voted no. The Kansas Catholic Conference responded by asking the faithful to pray for those wandering and confused souls. Hundreds gathered for overflow Masses at Assumption Mater Dei Catholic Church and St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Topeka, as well as in Catholic churches throughout Kansas. At the State Capitol, demonstrations took place inside and outside the building with a handful of arrests.
JUDICIAL REFORM ON THE BALLOT
Most citizens are unaware that the current process by which Kansas State Supreme Court justices are elevated to the bench is unique in all the United States. The current section process, sometimes referred to as the "merit system," is controlled by a small group of lawyers who are members of the Kansas Bar Association.
The Judicial Reform measure known as SCR 1611 passed with super majorities in the House and Senate. Kansas citizens will now vote in August 2026 on whether to change the way Kansas selects State Supreme Court justices. Look for more details on this issue in the months ahead.
APRIL 2025
AN ARCHBISHOP RESIGNATION—AND AN APPOINTMENT
On April 8, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Joseph Nauman, and appointed Bishop Shawn McKnight as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. We are grateful for Archbishop Naumann's many years of service and pray for Archbishop McKnight!
POPE FRANCIS DIES
On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died in Rome at the age of 88.
POPE LEO ELECTED
On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago was elected as the first ever American-born Pope. He took the name Pope Leo XIV.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
We invite you to stay connected with what's happening at the Kansas Statehouse. Here are links to help you 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.
Kansas Legislature Website – Find extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, and past sessions.
We did not have time this week, but next week look for a preview of the 2026 Session. 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: mailto: 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