August Newsletter 

We are excited to share the latest from CCO including action alerts, legislative news, updates, and more.

Learn more about CCO: View our brochure or visit our website.

Defeat Issue 1: Abortion Amendment

CCO on Issue 1 
The Catholic Conference of Ohio firmly opposes Issue 1, which would enshrine the “right” to abortion in the Ohio Constitution. This extreme amendment endangers the health and safety of women, threatens parental rights, and allows for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

The Catholic Church has always advocated for and acted to protect the most vulnerable in society, including the indigent, migrants, and preborn children in the womb. We will continue to do so by explaining the harm Issue 1 poses to women, parents, and babies to Catholics and all people of goodwill across Ohio and encourage a no vote on this egregious proposal. Ohioans deserve just laws which provide expansive resources and accompaniment to mothers and young families, not proposals like Issue 1 which does nothing to support women.

CCO's Latest Resources

• Where Does It Say That? (English | Spanish) - reviews the dangers of the vague language in the proposed amendment
• 54-Day Novena - join us in praying to defeat the amendment; sign up for daily email reminders at pray54ohio.org
   

Diocesan Resources

Bishop Statements:

• Archdiocese of Cincinnati: Archbishop Schnurr
• Diocese of Cleveland: Bishop Malesic
• Diocese of Columbus: Bishop Fernandes
• Diocese of Steubenville: Bishop Monforton
• Diocese of Toledo: Bishop Thomas
• Diocese of Youngstown: Bishop Bonnar
   

Visit www.ohiocathconf.org/protect to access all resources from the Catholic Conference of Ohio to defeat Issue 1. 

CCO Updates

Welcome Bishop-elect Pipta
Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma

As part of his new appointment by Pope Francis, Bishop-elect Pipta joins the Board of Directors for the Catholic Conference of Ohio. Bishop-elect Pipta is a priest of Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, and currently serves as rector of Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Welcome to Tom Rhatican
Associate Director, Education
Tom Rhatican has joined CCO as the Associate Director for Education. He is a retired Army Aviation officer and attorney. Tom began his career in private practice and worked for many years in senior legislative and executive branch roles in Wisconsin. 
Learn More About Tom >

Serving Returning Citizens
On August 1st, the Catholic Conference of Ohio hosted a gathering of staff from diocesan offices and Catholic Charities from across Ohio to learn about ministries serving returning citizens. Wilson Willard III of the HELP Program in Cincinnati shared how groups partnering with the Catholic Church offer employment, housing, and transportation to formerly incarcerated men and women, and how these supports transform lives after a prison sentence. Other organizations also met the group and shared how they serve returning citizens.

CCO Events

Happening in Ohio

March for Life - October 6

Join us for the 2023 Ohio March for Life!

Friday, October 6, 11 am 
Ohio Statehouse
Columbus, OH 
www.marchforlife.org

Day of Prayer to End the Death Penalty - October 9-10

All communities of faith are invited to join a 24 hour Day of Prayer to end the death penalty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the death penalty "inadmissible" and Pope Francis has called for its worldwide abolition. The CCO will be leading a rosary at the event. 

October 9-10
Ohio Statehouse
Columbus, OH
www.nodeathpenalty.com

Special Feature

Welcome Back Students!

Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19)

Students have returned to Catholic schools this month to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and faith. With the expansion of Ohio's Educational Choice (EdChoice) Scholarship Program, even more students now have access to a Catholic education!

What makes Catholic schools unique? According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), Catholic schools have the following defining characteristics:   

• Centered in the Person of Jesus Christ
• Contributing to the Evangelizing Mission of the Church
• Distinguished by Excellence
• Committed to Education the Whole Child
• Steeped in a Catholic Worldview
• Sustained by Gospel Witness
• Shaped by Communion and Community
• Accessible to All Students
• Established by the Express Authority of the Bishop

Visit your diocesan website to learn more about your local Catholic schools:

• Archdiocese of Cincinnati
• Diocese of Cleveland
• Diocese of Columbus
• Diocese of Steubenville
• Diocese of Toledo
• Diocese of Youngstown

"A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person. And a good Catholic school, over and above this, should help all its students to become saints." 
- Pope Benedict XVI 

Let Us Pray

Prayer for Students

Lord our God,
in your wisdom and love
you surround us with the mysteries of the universe.

Send your Spirit upon these students
and fill them with your wisdom and blessings.
Grant that they may
devote themselves to their studies
and draw ever closer to you,
the source of all knowledge.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen