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 (in English, Spanish, French and Creole) and
a NOVENA.
BALTIMORE HAS A NEW
BISHOP
Pope Francis today named the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
Parish 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
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
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
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
STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
  
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