Catholic Conference of Ohio The official representative of the Catholic Church in public matters affecting the Church and the general welfare of the citizens of Ohio.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he is halting executions until the state devises a new lethal injection protocol that overcomes any court challenges. He did not issue a formal stay of all executions but said “As long as the status quo remains, where we don’t have a protocol that has been found to be OK, we certainly cannot have any executions in Ohio. That would not be right, at least in my opinion.”

He directed prison officials to come up with a new protocol, which will likely face legal challenge in federal court.

Dayton Daily News Report
Cleveland.com News Report

Catholic Teaching on the Death Penalty

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports passage of SB 23, the Heartbeat bill. This version of the bill generally prohibits a person from aborting an unborn child whose fetal heartbeat has been detected (usually around 10 weeks). The bill also establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Adoption Promotion and Support. The bill is pending in the Senate Health and Human Services and Medicaid Committee.

The Catholic Church teaches that every child, at every moment of existence, deserves love and the protection of the law. We do not believe any person or government has the right to take the life of an innocent human being.

The Heartbeat bill will challenge the current legal precedents to abortion. With new changes in the United States Supreme Court, it is our sincere hope that this legislation will withstand constitutional challenge and be implemented in order to save lives.

Sponsor Testimony by State Senator Kristina D. Roegner

February 19, 2019 Proponent Testimony on SB 23

Catholic Conference Action Alert

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, issued the following joint statement:

“We are deeply concerned about the President’s action to fund the construction of a wall along the U.S./Mexico border, which circumvents the clear intent of Congress to limit funding of a wall. We oppose the use of these funds to further the construction of the wall. The wall first and foremost is a symbol of division and animosity between two friendly countries. We remain steadfast and resolute in the vision articulated by Pope Francis that at this time we need to be building bridges and not walls."

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports passage of SB 13, the "Protect Trafficked Minors Act". This bill will help protect minors up to age 18 years old from being “trafficked”. Currently, only children up to age 16 years old are fully protected under Ohio law. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio believes it is important for Ohio to continue strengthening protections for victims of human trafficking. SB 13 provides yet another series of helpful changes. Such changes will help ensure that minors up to age 18 will have a greater degree of protection under Ohio law.

Sponsor Testimony from Senator Teresa Fedor

Catholic Conference of Ohio Action Alert

Pope Francis named Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, as the 12th bishop of the diocese of Columbus. Bishop-designate Brennan will replace Bishop Campbell, who reached the mandatory retirement age for bishops when he turned 75 last August. 

“It makes me incredibly happy to walk this journey with you, to lead the Church of Columbus, to serve as your Pastor,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement.  “I look forward to walking the journey with you as your pastor sharing the ‘Joy of the Gospel’ and the ‘Splendor of Truth.’  And if we can laugh, and sing, and raise our voices in praise of God along the way, then all the better.  I am already praying fervently for the Church of Columbus every day.  May I humbly ask your prayers for me." 

Bishop Campbell will continue to lead the Columbus diocese until the new bishop is installed on Friday, March 29, at St. Joseph Cathedral. 

The 10th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse brings together advocates from around the state with one mission: ending human trafficking. This year's focus will be on the opioid crisis, and how it impacts and elevates the risk of human trafficking in Ohio.

Featuring a keynote address from Erik L. Bauer, an attorney from Tacoma, Washington who, in a nationwide precedent setting case ended immunity for Backpage.com on behalf of two 7th grade clients and one 9th grade client being sold on the webpage to as many as 20 adult sex customers per day, the 10th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day is an opportunity to learn from and share best practices with Ohio's leaders on the issue.

2019 Human Trafficking Report: Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force