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.

The Most Reverend George V. Murry, S.J., bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has been diagnosed with a form of acute leukemia.  He was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on Sunday, April 29, 2018.  He will undergo intensive chemotherapy for the next four weeks.

The Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic have stated that there are to be no visitors.  Please keep Bishop Murry in your prayers.

A Blessing Prayer for Those Who Are Sick

All praise and glory is yours, Lord our God, for you have called us to serve you in love.
Bless Bishop Murry, so that he may bear this illness in union with your Son's obedient suffering.
Restore him to health, and lead him to glory.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Excerpts from the English translation of Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum © 1982, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc.
All rights reserved.

The USA Act is a compromise bill that while not perfect, is one step our country can take in the direction of protecting Dreamers now. The border security measures in the USA Act, as currently written, are reasonable and do not include the building of the Wall.

The Catholic Bishops will not continue support for the USA Act if there are substantive changes or additions in interior enforcement, eradication of protection of unaccompanied children and asylum seekers and cuts to family-based immigration. The USA Act would protect and provide Dreamers with a path to citizenship as long as they satisfy residency, age and education, military or employment requirements. Additionally, H.R. 4796 augments border security with the use of new technology; and increases staffing resources for immigration courts to carry out their work.
 

Background Information 
USCCB Letter of Support

HB 461, the Protect Trafficked Minors Act, sponsored by Representative Fedor (D - Toledo) and  Representative Galonski (D - Akron), would mirror Ohio law with federal law in cases involving the human trafficking of minors aged 16 and 17-years-old. This bill will increase the penalties for people who traffic 16 and 17-year-olds. Additionally, HB 461 will require a juvenile court to appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor child if the court has reason to believe that the crime charged is prostitution or human trafficking-related. The bill is pending in the House Criminal Justice Committee.

Conference Resources

HB 585, sponsored by Representative Henne (R - Clayton),  and SB 288 sponsored by Senator Eklund ( R - Munson Township) and Senator Kunze (R - Hilliard), are companion bills that reflect the recommendations made by Governor Kasich's responses to gun violence workgroup.  The Catholic Conference of Ohio staff participated in the workgroup.

Recommendations from the Workgroup

Catholic Bishops of Ohio Statement on the Workgroup Recommendations

The Catholic Bishops of Ohio call upon Ohio’s elected leaders to adopt prudent policies to help curb gun violence. Now is the time for action. Now is the time to promote the culture of life.

We urge open and civil discourse that will result in the enactment of bipartisan reforms. We pray that Ohio’s leaders will set aside political agendas and achieve solutions that promote the common good and safety of all people. We believe just solutions can be found that will not violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

We commend state leaders who are actively seeking solutions to the pressing issue of gun violence. We applaud Governor Kasich for calling together persons with differing perspectives and for his leadership in seeking points of common agreement...

Governor Kasich's Recommendations

On March 1, 2018,  Governor John R. Kasich offered the Ohio General Assembly recommendations to help reduce gun violence.  A group of leaders from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of views came together to search for common ground on such policies.  The Catholic Conference of Ohio participated in this process. Through this process, the group reached unanimous agreement on several proposals.