MCC Weekly Update 3/3/2023

Missouri Schedules June 6 Execution Date 

The Missouri Supreme Court has set the execution date for convicted murderer Michael Tisius for June 6, 2023. Tisius, who was convicted of killing two prison guards during an attempt to escape from custody, has been on Missouri’s death row since October 2001. As is the case with each Missouri death row inmate, the Missouri Catholic Conference intends to submit a clemency letter to the governor on the inmate’s behalf, as well as organize a respectful protest outside the governor’s office on the day of the execution. 

The Catholic Church is strongly opposed to the death penalty because it disregards the sanctity and dignity of human life. If you would like to contact Governor Parson regarding Mr. Tisius’ execution, you can reach his office via phone at (573)751-3222 or email him here.

Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Advances in House and Senate

A House committee on Tuesday advanced a proposal to expand health coverage for low-income mothers and their babies. HB 354, sponsored by Rep. Bishop Davidson (R-Republic), would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for low-income women from 60 days to one year. The bill–which was combined with three identical bills sponsored by Rep. Brad Pollitt (R-Sedalia), Rep. LaKeySha Bosley (D-St. Louis), and Rep. Melanie Stinnett (R-Springfield)–is part of a bipartisan effort to address Missouri’s high maternal mortality and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies. The bill now moves to the entire House for debate. 

The Missouri Senate on Thursday passed its own version of postpartum Medicaid expansion, SB 45, but not before some senators expressed concern with an abortion provision that had been added to the bill in committee. The language, which Sen. John Rizzo (D-Independence) called a “poison pill”, prohibits a woman “who knowingly receives services that are in violation of state law” from receiving the extended coverage. This would prohibit women who receive elective abortions from accessing the bill’s benefits. Some Democrats have claimed that the language will not be accepted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency required to implement the coverage. 

While Democrats opposed the provision, only two members voted against the bill: Sen. Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette), who originally sponsored the bill, and Sen. Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City). They were joined by two Republicans, Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) and Sen. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield), who voted against the measure. In remarks before the vote, Sen. Coleman stated that while she believes that social safety programs should help the most vulnerable and that she has been “an ardent pro-life advocate” throughout her life, she disagreed with punishing women “for the coercion that they experience”. 

SB 45 now moves to the House for further debate.

School Shooting Survivors Share Their Experiences at the Capitol

Survivors of an October school shooting at a St. Louis high school visited the Missouri Capitol this week to share their art and a message. Around 60 students from the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School traveled to the Capitol on Tuesday to advocate for legislation to prevent future tragedies. Specifically, the students called on legislators to pass red flag laws, which would allow a person to petition to a judge for the temporary removal of a person’s guns if they appear to be a risk to themselves or others. Days before the school shooting, the gunman’s mother had asked the police for help removing his gun, but they lacked the authority to do so. The shooter went on to take the lives of student Alexzandria Bell and teacher Jean Kuczka and injure seven others. 

Students from the school also presented an art display at the Capitol, much of it related to the school shooting. Bryanna Love, 17, said that she will carry the memories of that day forever. “You can’t hear certain noises without being taken back to that moment, hunched in the corner of your classroom comforting your classmates that are crying so it doesn’t get too loud,” she said.

Supplemental Budget Signed, Increases State Workers' Pay

On Monday, Governor Mike Parson signed House Bill 14 into law. HB 14 was referred to as the Fiscal Year 2023 Early Supplemental Bill and secures an 8.7 percent cost-of-living pay increase for all state team members.

"HB 14 is a critically necessary step in working to reverse the recruitment and retention struggles we are facing in state government," Governor Parson said. "This marks a historic pay increase for our state team, and we appreciate the work of President Pro Tem Rowden, Senator Hough, Speaker Plocher, Representative Smith, and every member of the General Assembly who voted for this legislation. By supporting our state team members, we support the people of Missouri, and HB 14 will go a long way in helping us retain a dedicated and skilled state workforce."

Seeing a turnover rate of nearly 30 percent and more than 7,000 positions open across state government, Governor Parson asked the General Assembly to approve the measure by March 1. Members of the legislature recognized the unsustainable situation and heeded Parson's call, giving final approval to the legislation on February 22, a full week ahead of his original deadline. State team members will see pay increases reflected in their March 31 paychecks.

New Asteroids Named after Jesuit Astronomers 

CNS photo/ESA/ATG medialab

Pope Gregory XIII and three Jesuit astronomers have recently been honored with having asteroids named after them.

The new additions include: "562971 Johannhagen," honoring Austrian Jesuit Father Johann Hagen, who was serving as director of the Georgetown University Observatory when Pope Pius X called him to Rome in 1906 to be the first Jesuit director of the new Vatican Observatory; "551878 Stoeger," honoring U.S. Jesuit Father Bill Stoeger, a cosmologist and theologian who died in 2014; and "565184 Janusz," honoring Polish Jesuit Father Robert Janusz, a philosopher and physicist on the staff at the Vatican Observatory. A working group of the International Astronomical Union also approved of the designation of "560974 Ugoboncompagni," honoring Ugo Boncompagni, who was elected Pope Gregory XIII in 1572. Pope Gregory XIII is likely most famous for his role in creating the Gregorian Calendar, the most widely-used calendar system in the world today.  

If you’d like to read more about the individuals the asteroids are named after, the USCCB has published an article here.  

Meatless Recipes for Lent

Each Friday of Lent, we abstain from eating meat as an act of penance and spiritual discipline. If you are not eating at one of your local parish fish fries, you can partake in Catholic Relief Services’ meatless recipes this Lenten season. Consider donating the money you saved by not buying meat to the CRS Rice Bowl.