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.

Substitute HB 123 passed the Senate by a vote of 21-9.  The Catholic Conference of Ohio joined with other faith communities in calling for the reform of Ohio’s payday lending practices.  Substitute House Bill 123 provides consumer protections consistent with the intent of Ohio’s 2008 Payday Reform Act. This bill will help protect borrowers from excessive payday lending fees while allowing lenders to maintain reasonable cost-of-business fees. 

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports lending models that provide fair and helpful loans for persons in need. In the teachings of our faith, we have many warnings about usury and exploitation of people.  Lending practices that, intentionally or unintentionally, take unfair advantage of one’s desperate circumstances are unjust. Catholic Social Teaching demands respect for the dignity of persons, preferential concern for the poor and vulnerable, and the pursuit of the common good.  These principles coupled with our teaching on economic justice animate our questioning of current payday lending practices.

Release from Ohioans for Payday Loan Reform

Watch the Senate floor debate

Diocese of Youngstown has named Stephen Carattini Director for Social Concerns

Diocese of Columbus has named Jerry Freewalt Director of the Office for Social Concerns

Diocese of Cleveland has named Diane Zbasnik Director for the Social Action Office at Catholic Charities

Diocese of Cleveland has named Cary Dabney Director for the Office of Ministry to African-American Catholics

Archdiocese of Cincinnati has named Sara Seligmann Regional Director for Catholic Social Action

Rep. Nino Vitale (R-Sidney), the sponsor of HB 36, said it aims to relieve the tension between the religious beliefs of some and the decision of the courts to uphold same-sex marriage, rather than see a flurry of lawsuits on the issue. Vitale said the bill states ministers and religious societies are not required to solemnize marriages or allow the use of their facilities for marriages that do not conform to their sincerely held religious beliefs.  The chamber also voted to attach an amendment from Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) stating that, in the event of a conflict with the state's general public accommodation law, HB 36 would take precedence. The bill passed 59-29.

Catholic Conference of Ohio Testimony on HB 36

Watch the House floor debate here

 HB 428 (Ginter-LaTourette), the Ohio Student Religious Liberties Act of 2018,  would protect the right of students to engage in religious activities to the same extent secular activities are allowed in school and have the same access to school facilities.  The bill passed 62-20. 

Catholic Conference of Ohio Testimony

Chairman of U.S. Bishops Committee on Domestic Justice & Human Development Expresses Disappointment in SCOTUS Ruling on Janus v. AFSCME. Click Here

Chairmen of U.S. Bishops’ Migration Committee and Religious Liberty Committee Express Disappointment with Supreme Court’s Ruling in Travel Ban Case. Click Here

Chairman of U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Committee Praises Supreme Court’s Respect for Free Speech in NIFLA v. Becerra Decision. Click Here

Most Reverend Daniel Schnurr's letter to priests and deacons (Archbishop of Cincinnati) encouraging them to address the government's taking and detaining 2,300 migrant children who crossed into the United States.

A second immigration raid in Ohio raises concern for innocent children and families and reflects the need for just immigration reform. Click here for the statement of the Youngstown diocese.

Bishop Nelson Perez, Diocese of Cleveland, press interview on immigration policy. "Separating parents from their children is a moral issue."

Archbishop Schnurr's press coverage on immigration

USCCB's Office of Migration and Refugee Services concerns over pending immigration legislation

Pope Francis raises concerns over U.S. immigration policy that separates children

Ohio Bishops statements regarding immigration-related issues