Texas Catholic Conference 82nd Legislative Session Priorities

The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 ordinary Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas, and includes the Auxiliary and Emeritus Bishops as consultative members. Because we are made in the image of God, there is an inherent value of human life from which all of our social obligations and rights flow. The following list highlights some of the priorities of the Texas Bishops prior to the 82nd Legislative session.

1. Life and Family Life Issues: Our foundational principle to protect the life and dignity of all human persons calls us to work to end abortion, euthanasia, destruction of human embryos, cloning and assisted suicide. Marriage and the family are central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened.

2. Immigration: We recognize the historic and present-day contributions of immigrants in Texas by supporting their ability to work in a healthy environment in order to provide for their families and continue their valuable participation in the community.

3. Education: We recognize parents as the primary educators of their children through supporting parental choice in education.

4. Health & Human Services: We show God’s special concern for the poor and vulnerable by supporting programs that make health care more affordable and accessible, environmental protections and support for morally appropriate health research.

5. Criminal Justice Reform: We support fiscal and moral reform in our state’s criminal justice system with an emphasis on ending the death penalty and supporting successful rehabilitation and reintegration of those re-entering society.