Inside this issue
• Scholarships, Loan Relief for Abortion Workers in California Budget Proposal
• Lawmakers Propose Childhood Vaccination Bills
• Anniversary of Roe Met with Life-Affirming Activity Throughout the State
• World Day for Consecrated Life
• Catholic Climate Covenant Launches 'Ecospirituality Nights'
• In The News
Scholarships, Loan Relief for Abortion Workers in California Budget Proposal
California health care workers who commit to providing abortions could see their student loans repaid and prospective abortion industry workers could receive scholarships, if lawmakers retain a $20 million proposal in the state's new draft budget.
The proposal drew criticism from pro-life advocates who worry it creates terrible incentives.
Kathleen Domingo, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, called the proposal "a gross overreach of what most Californians would want our tax dollars to go to."
"There aren't a lot of providers who like to do abortions. Abortion is not something that medical students are excited to be a part of. We've known that," she told CNA Jan. 18.
"The reason why abortion is not provided in certain areas has nothing to do with laws or regulations. There's no doctor in the area who wants to perform abortions. They don't want to do it." - CCC Executive Director Kathleen Domingo
Continue Reading at CatholicNewsAgency.com
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Lawmakers Propose Childhood Vaccination Bills
California lawmakers have introduced two bills aimed at increasing childhood vaccinations against COVID-19.
Senator Richard Pan (D - Sacramento) introduced SB 871 this week, which will require all K - 12 students to have the COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 1, 2023.
Pan's proposed mandate would eliminate personal and religious exemptions, tightening the restrictions laid out in Governor Newsom's previous executive order on the issue. The bill also seeks to authorize the California Department of Public Health to mandate future vaccines, a move that would eliminate legislative input on vaccine requirements.
Pan's bill does not clarify the number of shots to be considered "fully vaccinated," however, it seeks to implement the mandate regardless of federal approval of the vaccine.
Also introduced is SB 866 by State Senator Scott Wiener (D - San Francisco), which would allow children 12 and older to choose to be vaccinated without a parent's consent or knowledge.
The two bills are products of the Vaccine Work Group, a group of Democratic legislators looking to develop "policies to strengthen our ability to stop the spread of COVID and other diseases while battling misinformation."
Vaccine bills have historically been met with intense constituent opposition and protests at the Capitol. The California Catholic Conference will continue monitoring and reporting on these vaccine-related bills as they move through the Legislature.
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Anniversary of Roe Met with Life-Affirming Activity Throughout the State
Catholics throughout the state spent the weekend being a beacon of light and hope for life in walks, masses, and other events on the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
Tens of thousands participated in walks celebrating life in Los Angeles' OneLife LA and San Francisco's Walk for Life West Coast, and several bishops delivered beautiful homilies during Masses dedicated to the protection of life and the unborn.
The CCC has assembled a list of links for the live streams, videos, photos, homilies, and other coverage of this past weekend's events.
As the State of California continues to push its agenda to become an "abortion sanctuary" for the country, we encourage you to continue to look for ways to support our sisters in Christ who may be considering abortion and to be an active voice for a culture of life. Check with your local diocese on ways you can contribute.
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World Day for Consecrated Life
World Day for Consecrated Life will take place this Sunday, Feb. 2, this year and be celebrated in parishes the week of Feb. 5-6.
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.
Visit the USCCB's website for prayers for the faithful and a short bulletin article on World Day for Consecrated Life.
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Catholic Climate Covenant Launches 'Ecospirituality Nights'
The Catholic Climate Covenant is hosting a multi-month virtual Ecospirituality series exploring the spiritual foundations of our work for climate justice in accordance with Pope Francis' Laudato Si.'
All are invited to attend the webinars, which will take place on various Monday evenings throughout the spring and feature keynote speakers and follow-up conversations. Click here for more information.
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In The News
Vann: 'Prenatal justice' takes real help, and real relationships
"Prenatal justice, it seems to me, must move beyond words to actual concrete gestures of concern and help, and beyond pregnancy care centers to the relationships which we can forge, with the help of God. To be more to the point: Do not wait for some future decision! Begin now!"
Pride is obstacle to Christian unity, Pope says
Divided Christians will never find unity unless they are willing to humble themselves, bowing down to worship Jesus and him alone, Pope Francis said.
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January 28, 2022
Vol. 15 No. 04
California Catholic Conference
En Español
"All human suffering is sacred to God. Before God we are not strangers, or numbers. We are faces and hearts, known one by one, by name."
@Pontifex
Bishops' Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines
Webinars on Vaccine FAQs
Laudato Si' Action Plan Resources
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