This Catholic Conference of Ohio educational/bulletin insert offers reflections on:

Promoting the Sacredness of Human Life;
Applying a Consistent Moral Framework;
Making Decisions based upon Prudential Discernment; 
Serving as Models of Civil Dialogue

USCCB document: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

2020 Election Novena Resources

Civilize It is a non-partisan call to focus on the dignity of all people, even when we disagree, and to put faith in action by bearing witness to a better way forward

Catholic Conference of Ohio Page on Election Issues

Pope Francis' new social encyclical on solidarity, Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship, promotes tangible ways to build a more just and fraternal world within relationships, social life, politics and institutions. The Encyclical aims to promote a universal aspiration toward fraternity and social friendship. Beginning with our common membership in the human family, from the  acknowledgement that we are brothers and sisters because we are the children of one Creator, all in the same boat, and hence we need to be aware that in a globalized and interconnected world, only together can we  be saved.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote:

“...In analyzing conditions in the world today, the Holy Father provides us with a powerful and urgent vision for the moral renewal of politics and political and economic institutions from the local level to the global level, calling us to build a common future that truly serves the good of the human person..." 

Read Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship

Summary of Fratelli Tutti (Vatican News)

Guide to the Encyclical  (Catholic Telegraph/ includes video overview)

Purchase copies of Fratelli Tutti (USCCB)

Archbishop Gomez’s, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following statement:

“I am praying for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. May God grant them full healing and may He keep their family safe and healthy. Let us keep praying for all who are suffering because of the novel coronavirus, especially the sick and dying and their families, and all those who have lost loved ones. May God give them hope and comfort, and may He bring an end to this pandemic.”

Information by Diocese on Worship Guidelines, News, Resources, Volunteer Opportunities and Donation Opportunities related to the Coronavirus 

"But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts. The persistence of the evil of racism is why we are writing this letter now." Open Wide Our Hearts
 

 Links to Ohio Diocesan Responses to Racism

Induced abortion statistics have been prepared in Ohio since 1976. Several trend comparisons in the 2019 Annual Abortion Report date back to 2004. A total of 20,102 induced pregnancy terminations were reported in Ohio for 2019; including 18,913 obtained by Ohio resident women (94.1%). This represents a 2% decrease in induced pregnancy terminations from 2018 to 2019. Overall, since 2001 there has been a steady decline in terminations. When examined from 2001 to 2019, the annual decline averaged approximately 960 per year.

The Diocesan Catholic Prison Ministry Directors and Coordinator throughout Ohio issued an open letter to Governor Mike DeWine, ODRC Director Annette M Chamber-Smith, ODRC Religious Services Administrator Mike Davis, Ohio Prison Wardens, and Ohio Prison Chaplains.  The letter offers prayers and encouragements, along with recommendations for further collaborations during this time of COVID-19.

"In this unprecedented and challenging time, we offer you our prayers, our hopes, and our recommitment to stand with you, as together, we pursue ways to safely offer spiritual ministry to inmates and their families. We deeply appreciate your public service and the ongoing support you offer to each of us..."

The Catholic School Superintendents of Ohio issued a joint Response to an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer that questioned the value of private school vouchers.

The Response stated:  "..The metric used in this article, comparing public districts to non-public schools on state testing, is deeply flawed and overly simplistic. This inaccurate analysis is at best misguided, or worse, inherently biased against non-public schools, including many faith-based schools that parents freely choose with state scholarships. This is more of an “apples to blueberries” than and “apples to apples” comparison..."

The Response encouraged that Catholic schools and public schools be viewed as partners rather than competitors.

Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton's video address to the parishioners of the Diocese of Steubenville Aug. 19, 2020. He calls upon each of us to be compassionate and merciful during these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Video credit: St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology/Emmaus Road Publishing).

In his July 15, 2020 statewide address Governor DeWine said that the state is at a critical point in the COVID-19 pandemic and implored Ohioans to take appropriate action to reverse the rapidly increasing spread of the virus.

“Today, more Ohioans are getting sick than at any previous point in this pandemic. We are sliding down a very dangerous path, with our once flattened-curve starting to sharpen and spike,” said Governor DeWine. “This is a worrisome, disturbing reversal of our progress -- a jarring reminder of just how quickly our fate can change.”  He reminded Ohioans about the efficacy of facial coverings to protect themselves, loved ones, friends, neighbors and other citizens. He also renewed the call to socially distance and limit public gatherings.