Issues - Catholic Conference of Ohio

The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO), the official representative of the Catholic Church in matters of public policy and government relations in Ohio, is seeking an Associate Director to advocate on all issues related to Catholic moral and social teaching, except Catholic education. 

The primary responsibility of the Associate Director is to monitor, evaluate, and propose responses to legislative and public policy issues in which the Church is interested. The person in this position also convenes regular meetings with various diocesan staff members to collaborate on issues across Ohio. The Associate Director reports to the Executive Director of the CCO.

View the full job description and application process >

"In proclaiming the Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis showed us through his words and actions the Christian mission. We will remember exhortations of Pope Francis to shake off our indifference to suffering, get out of our comfort zones, and bring the light of Christ to those often discarded by society. We, at the Catholic Conference of Ohio, will continue to give thanks for Pope Francis' service to the Church and world while mourning his death.” - Brian Hickey, Executive Director for the CCO

Bishop of Ohio statements:

Archbishop Robert G. Casey & Archbishop Emeritus Dennis M. Schnurr, Cincinnati >
Bishop Edward C. Malesic, Cleveland >
Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, Columbus >
Bishop Edward M. Lohse, Steubenville >
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, Toledo >
Bishop David. J. Bonnar, Youngstown >
Bishop Robert M. Pipta, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma >

In response to the introduction of House Bill 72 and Senate Bill 134, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio sent a letter to members of the 136th General Assembly urging them to uphold a consistent ethic of life by prohibiting the State of Ohio from funding the intentional termination of human life­­­­––including abortion, euthanasia, and execution––and to abolish the death penalty in favor of life without parole.

The bishops wrote, “A government that sanctions the destruction of human life through taxpayer funding of abortion, euthanasia, or the use of capital punishment undermines the dignity of those it exists to serve and protect. If taxpayer dollars are used to end life in the womb and hasten the death of the elderly, infirm, and suffering, what message does this send? Instead, state funds should be used to advance the common good and to accompany and support those in need.“

The bishops also call for the abolition of the death penalty, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states, “…more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.” 
 
Click “Read more” to view the full letter. Click here to learn more about HB 72 and SB 134.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio is bringing Catholics from across Ohio to the Statehouse to meet with our elected officials and advocate for policies that respect life, focus on the poor and vulnerable, and recognize families as the central social institution of society. Diocesan contacts will help coordinate meetings with legislators and lunch will be provided.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 starting at 9:15am
Downtown Columbus (CCO office, Ohio Statehouse, and Riffe Center)

View Details and Register Here >

The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of Senate Bill 86 to prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products, except for sales at licensed dispensaries; to regulate drinkable cannabinoid products, and to levy taxes on drinkable cannabinoid products and other intoxicating hemp products. CCO stated, “The rapid spread of unregulated intoxicating hemp products represents a serious threat not just to public safety but to the moral fabric of our state. … By setting clear guidelines on permitted THC levels and requiring rigorous testing, labeling, and advertising standards, SB 86 ensures that consumers are informed, products are accurately represented, and minors are protected.”

 Click “Read more” for the full testimony.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified today in support of House Bill 84, the Innocence Act, which would enforce age verification for access to obscene materials and prohibit using another person’s likeness to create sexual images. The research on pornography is clear and unanimous: its effects are gravely injurious to young people. This bill responds to one of the most pressing needs of our time: the protection and elevation of human dignity.

Click "Read more" to view the full testimony.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of school choice proposals in House Bill 96, the budget bill. While expressing appreciation for supporting Catholic school families through the EdChoice program, the CCO requested consideration of two proposals. First, to extend Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) to chartered nonpublic school students living in high-poverty areas. The second proposal is to allow the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship amounts in chartered nonpublic schools to match those in public districts. Governor DeWine's Executive Budget retained all the school choice programs currently in effect during the 2024-2025 school year.

As part of the "Year of Mission" during the National Eucharistic Revival, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio invite all the faithful to spend time with Jesus and pray for our nation, state, and government leaders in the Ohio capitol building.

Eucharistic Adoration will take place:
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Governor Thomas Worthington Center (inside the Ohio Statehouse) 
1 Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio, 43215

Click Here for Details >

The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) warmly welcomes Archbishop-designate Robert G. Casey as the incoming chairman of the Board of Directors for the conference after Pope Francis appointed him as the eleventh archbishop of Cincinnati, succeeding Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr.

Brian Hickey, executive director of CCO offered the following comments:
“We congratulate Archbishop-designate Robert G. Casey on his appointment as Archbishop of Cincinnati and welcome him as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Catholic Conference of Ohio. In addition, we are grateful for Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr’s steady leadership and pastoral guidance in Ohio over the past 16-plus years. Archbishop Schnurr’s love for Jesus Christ was evident nationally and in Ohio through his tireless governance and unwavering support for the poor and vulnerable in all times and seasons. The Catholic Conference of Ohio will miss Archbishop Schnurr’s guidance, but we wish him abundant joy and peace in retirement.”

Click "Read more" for additional details.

In response to Governor Mike DeWine’s final executive budget, Brian Hickey, executive director for the Catholic Conference of Ohio, released the following statement:

“We commend Governor DeWine’s continued commitment to Ohio’s families and children through the Executive Budget, especially the proposed state child tax credit – a long-sought policy goal of the Catholic Conference for Ohio’s families. This would be a meaningful investment in recognizing Ohio’s families as the primary social institution of society and the foundation of Ohio’s future. We also commend the DeWine administration for identifying ways to use taxation for the common good, including recognizing the ongoing harms and addictive nature of sports gambling. Additionally, we thank Gov. DeWine for his commitment to educational options for Ohio’s families, and we look forward to sharing more about the life-changing difference Ohio’s school choice programs have had for children and parents in the budget deliberation process.”