October Newsletter 

The latest from CCO - action alerts, legislative news, updates, and more.

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

CCO & Bishop Statements

CCO Statement Regarding Ohio Catholic Hospitals and Miscarriage Care

The Catholic Conference of Ohio issued the following statement on October 13:
Over thirty Catholic hospitals, providing care to millions of patients in Ohio, affirm their commitment to delivering comprehensive healthcare for women and preborn children during pregnancy complications. 

Contrary to common misconception, neither Catholic religious directives nor any state law restrict Catholic hospitals from responding to pregnancy complications. Catholic hospitals provide comprehensive miscarriage care, treatment for ectopic pregnancies, and perform other life-saving measures through medical procedures in life-threatening circumstances.

Catholic hospitals play a critical role in maintaining public health. Regardless of the passage or failure of Issue 1 in November, the care they provide during a miscarriage or other pregnancy complications will remain comprehensive and committed to the well-being of mothers and preborn children. This commitment is an expression of respect for the dignity of all human beings and is central to their mission to carry out Jesus’s ministry of love and healing in the world today. 

Catholic Bishops of Ohio Urge Action to End Death Penalty

The Catholic bishops of Ohio issued a letter to all Ohio Senators and Representatives asking them to support legislation to end Ohio's death penalty. The Catholic Church worldwide continuously seeks the full protection of the law for human life from conception to natural death. 

Read the letter here >

Take Action:
Make your voice heard and urge your state legislators to support Senate Bill 101 and House Bill 259 to abolish the death penalty in Ohio. Use the following action alerts to easily send a message:

• Action Alert for SB 101 - Contact Your Senator
• Action Alert for HB 259 - Contact Your Representative

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.
 

CCO's Resources to Share 

• 4 Things You Need to Know (Video) 
• Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy Care in Ohio (Video)
• Answering Your Questions About Issue 1 (Video)
• Where Does It Say That? & Frequently Asked Questions - front/back document (English | Spanish) 
• 54-Day Novena (pray54ohio.org)
   

Other Resources

• Ways to Get Involved to Help Defeat Issue 1
• Talking to Pro-Choice Friends on Issue 1
   

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

NO on Issue 2: Recreational Marijuana
 

CCO Opposes Issue 2
The Catholic Conference of Ohio encourages Catholics and all people of good will to Vote NO on Issue 2, "An Act to Control and Regulate Adult Use of Cannabis,” which would legalize recreational marijuana.

Issue 2 would:

Threaten Public Health - per the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life." (paragraph 229) 

Endanger Children - marijuana use by youth has risen considerably in states where recreational use has been legalized, harming child development, especially neurologically. 

Endanger Communities - studies show legalization of marijuana increases traffic accidents and fatalities as well as increasing rates of workplace accidents and injuries.

Legislative Updates & CCO Testimonies

HB 259 - Abolish the Death Penalty
CCO testified in support of HB 259 to abolish the death penalty. Catholic opposition to the death penalty is rooted in our teaching that every human being bears the image of God, regardless of the stage of life or circumstance. From the preborn, to the indigent, to the man on death row, the Catholic Church insists that every single human life deserves justice, respect, and mercy. It is the unequivocal teaching of the Catholic faith that the death penalty is “inadmissible.” 
 

HB 7 - Strong Foundations Act
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of HB 7, The Strong Foundations Act, to support Ohio mothers and babies in their first one thousand days to address maternal and infant mortality. The bill would help improve health and development outcomes for babies and mothers through expanded prenatal, postnatal, infant, and toddler health care and early intervention and wraparound services and supports.

Special Feature

Respect Life Month

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another”  (John 13:34)

Every October, we consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death.

This year's theme is "radical solidarity," calling us to be courageously pro-woman, promoting a choice that truly protects, accompanies, and supports women and their children. 

Read this reflection on radical solidarity and prayerfully consider how you can accompany women through programs like Walking With Moms In Need, Catholic Charities, or a local pregnancy center.

Let Us Pray

Prayer for Radical Solidarity

O Blessed Mother, at the angel’s word you went in haste to the aid of your cousin Elizabeth. Although pregnant yourself, you placed her needs before your own.

By your example of radical solidarity, teach us to reverence and protect those in need, without conditions or expectations. Ask your Son to give us unfailing determination to witness to the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance.

In that first Eucharistic procession, you carried Jesus to Elizabeth in her time of need. Obtain for us the grace to bring Christ to any expectant mother who is alone and afraid.

May our support help them to find hope and strength in the Lord. 

Amen.