June 10, 2020 — Annapolis, MD

REFORMS AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN MARYLAND



Legislators in Maryland, as in other states, are beginning to look for meaningful reforms and accountability following the tragic death of George Floyd.

House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-10) announced a bipartisan Workgroup to Address Police Reform and Accountability.

The Maryland Catholic Conference will monitor reform efforts. In recent years, the Conference has supported numerous justice reform measures that are in line with Church teaching, calling for systems of justice that are restorative in nature and that promote healing, education, rehabilitation and community support. 

A particularly meaningful step was made with the passage of the bipartisan Justice Reinvestment Act in 2016. The legislation called for reform policies and spending that recognized the dignity of every person and addressed the disparate impact many criminal justice policies have on African Americans and other minorities. This legislation also may have paved the way for a next set of reforms.

Central to each of the Church’s public policy positions is the dignity of every person. As Pope Francis said in a message to the United States on June 3: "[W]e cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.”

It is undeniable that George Floyd was not afforded such dignity or respect for the life he lost on May 25, 2020.    

PRAYER FOR RACIAL UNITY



Maryland has been deeply enriched by the gifts of Black Catholics, including Mother Mary Lange who, in 1828 in Baltimore, founded the first Catholic school for Black children in the United States. One year later, she founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first religious order for women of African descent. A woman of deep faith and trust in God, Mother Mary went on to found more schools for children and adults, teach religious education, care for orphans and do much more, often overcoming racism, a lack of funds and other obstacles. Today, she is a Servant of God, in the process to be canonized a Catholic saint.

Mother Mary Lange, we turn to you for solace, healing and strength as we seek to combat racism and to lift up the equality and dignity of all children of God.

DOWNLOAD PRAYER <[link removed]>(in English, Spanish, French and Creole) and a NOVENA <[link removed]>.

BALTIMORE HAS A NEW BISHOP



Pope Francis today named the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Parish <[link removed]> in Highlandtown as a new Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore.

We offer Bishop-designate Bruce Lewandowski, CSsR, our congratulations, prayers and support. He will be ordained a bishop on Aug. 18 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori noted that he will continue to serve as pastor of Sacred Heart as well as the archbishop’s delegate for Hispanic Catholics. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR NEW BISHOP <[link removed]>

BOOST SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE NOW JULY 15



REMINDER: The State of Maryland has extended the deadline to apply for scholarship funds from the Broadening Options and Opportunities Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program to July 15, 2020. BOOST will provide $7.5 million in tuition assistance for the 2020-21 school year to income-eligible Maryland families who choose a Catholic or other nonpublic school for their children. You must have filed your taxes for 2019 to apply.

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS <[link removed]>

GET INVOLVED

JOIN THE CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK

Learn more about the Catholic Advocacy Network and how you can take action on important issues in Maryland: JOIN OUR NETWORK <[link removed]>

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

The Maryland Catholic Conference is looking for volunteers to serve as Parish Legislative Ambassadors for some parishes. If you are passionate about the work we do and want to help us speak up on important issues in Maryland, please let us know! VOLUNTEER <[link removed]>

STAY CONNECTED WITH US!

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Maryland Catholic Conference - 10 Francis St, Annapolis, MD 21401, United States
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