Inside this issue

• Pope Francis Accepts Bishop Edward Clark's Retirement
• Deadline to Introduce New Bills Passes
• Lenten Resources Available
• Ukraine Crisis: Pope Francis Calls for Global Day of Fasting for Peace on Ash Wednesday
• Act Now to Stop Most Extreme Abortion on Demand Bill Ever Seen
• ICYMI: California Lifts Mask Mandate for Vaccinated Individuals

  Pope Francis Accepts Bishop Edward Clark's Retirement  
 
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Los Angeles Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark, 75, the canonical age for retirement for bishops.  

Bishop Clark's service to the California Catholic Conference includes chairing the Education Committee, the Committee on Native American Historic Concerns, and the Serra Committee on Missions and Native American Peoples. 

"Bishop Clark's service to the California Catholic Conference has always embodied Christ's genuine love and compassion for people," said CCC Executive Director Kathleen Domingo. "His commitment to Native Americans and extensive work on our Education Committee helped define Catholic teaching on California's native peoples and missions that will be educating and shaping generations to come."  

Born Edward Wm. Clark in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bishop Clark was raised in California and attended local schools in Los Angeles. He graduated from St. John's Seminary College in 1968.

Appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles in January 2001, Bishop Clark was ordained by Cardinal Roger Mahony to the Episcopacy in March 2001 and assigned to Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region, where he served until his retirement.  He is the author of the book Five Great Catholic Ideas, published in 1999 by Crossroad Press, and several articles published in magazines and professional journals. 
 
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  Deadline to Introduce New Bills Passes  
 
Friday, February 18, was the last day to introduce bills for the 2022 California Legislative Session. The California Catholic Conference is now combing through the 2,113 total bills introduced.

Several lawmakers are trying to make good on California's intention to become an abortion sanctuary state, proposing numerous bills aimed at protecting "reproductive rights."

AB 2091 intends to protect "the reproductive privacy of out-of-state residents." 
AB 1918 would establish reproductive health education scholarships via the Reproductive Scholarship Corps. It would look to pay off medical loans for those who train to provide abortion services.
AB 2029 would require all health insurance plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and fertility services.
Though AB 2134, the California Abortion and Reproductive Equity (CARE) Act, does not yet contain language, the author specifies that cost should not be a barrier to reproductive health services.
AB 2223 is a spot bill that does not yet specify its intention outside of "reproductive health."

State Senator Dr. Richard Pan introduced SB 1479, which would require every California school to develop a COVID-19 testing plan and would authorize additional resources to implement school testing plans.

The California Catholic Conference will be tracking these bills as they are heard in committees and will be looking to have your help as we advocate via the Catholic Legislative Network.. Please sign up here for the latest! 
 
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  Lenten Resources Available  
 
The 2022 Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday (March 2) and continues through sundown on Holy Thursday (April 14). 

The USCCB has published various resources in English and Spanish to assist in a fruitful observance of Lent, when Catholics are called to recognize the link to baptismal renewal. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. 

There are prayers, videos, and other guides to help all, regardless of the current state of faith. Visit the USCCB for more. 

In Sacramento, Bishop Soto will be distributing ashes on the south steps of the Capitol at 8:30 am. Click here for more. 
 
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  Ukraine Crisis: Pope Francis Calls for Global Day of Fasting for Peace on Ash Wednesday  
 
Expressing great sadness at the worsening situation in Ukraine, Pope Francis asked world leaders on Wednesday to "make a serious examination of conscience before God."

Speaking at his live-streamed general audience on Feb. 23, the pope called for people to fast for peace on March 2, Ash Wednesday, praying that "the Queen of Peace will preserve the world from the madness of war."

Despite diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and European countries, Russian troops invaded Ukraine early Thursday morning, the largest invasion since World War II.  Early reports indicate that all Ukrainian males between the ages of 18 and 60 are being prohibited from leaving the country and have been directed to fight in the conflict. 

Read More at AngelusNews.com 

You can support Ukraine through Catholic Relief Services or find a list here of other Ukrainian Catholic organizations to support
 
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  Act Now to Stop Most Extreme Abortion on Demand Bill Ever Seen  
 
On Monday, February 28, the Senate will vote on the Women's Health Protection Act, H.R. 3755. This deceptively-named, extreme bill would impose abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy through federal statute. Even worse, it would eliminate modest and widely supported pro-life laws at every level of government -- the federal, state, and local level -- including parental notification for minor girls, informed consent, and health or safety protections specific to abortion facilities. 

We need to send an unmistakable message to the Senate that this horrible bill must never be enacted. Join Archbishop Lori, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Cardinal Dolan, chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty, in urging the Senate to oppose H.R. 3755.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
[link removed] 
 
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  ICYMI: California Lifts Mask Mandate for Vaccinated Individuals  
 
Governor Gavin Newsom has largely rolled back the state's mask mandate last week for vaccinated individuals, though counties can still retain stricter guidelines. 

Masking is still required indoors for the unvaccinated, in long-term care facilities, jails, and prisons, in healthcare settings, and in schools. 

In a press conference, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly addressed the decision to keep masking in schools, explaining that the state will assess vaccination rates, test positivity rates, hospitalization cases, and other data and make an announcement on Feb. 28.  

Ghaly also noted, "it is reasonable that we are getting close to relaxing statewide masking in schools" and that the mandate is likely to change from "required" to "strongly recommended." Local jurisdictions will still have the ability to determine what works best for students and families in their areas. 

It was also noted that school districts are not allowed to have looser restrictions than the state policies, and those that do will face repercussions.

The CCC is closely monitoring any updates to the statewide mask mandate in schools. Check back with us on Feb. 28 for the latest news. 
 
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February 25, 2022
Vol. 15 No. 07

California Catholic Conference

 En Español

"Let us never grow tired of doing good" (Gal 6:9).

@Pontifex

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