WSCC Bishops Appoint New Executive Director 

The bishops of the Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) appointed Jean Welch Hill as the new WSCC executive director.  Mario Villanueva retired from the position last month.  Jean has more than 25 years of experience in state and federal advocacy.  She previously worked as the Government Liaison and Director of the Office of Life, Justice, and Peace for the Diocese of Salt Lake City for 11 years.  She comes to the WSCC directly from Salt Lake County government, where she was Director of the Office of Homelessness and Criminal Justice Reform and the county's Criminal Justice Advisory Council.   

As the WSCC executive director Jean will lead advocacy efforts and represent the bishops of the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, and the Diocese of Yakima on public policy matters.  She will also direct year-round advocacy across Washington state.

As the WSCC promotes the values of Catholic Social Teaching in public policy, we are thankful for the gifts Jean brings to lead the WSCC.

New WSCC Statement on Immigration

During National Migration Week at the end of September, the bishops of Washington state released a new statement on immigration. The bishops point to a “universal call to serve one another and to protect the sanctity of human life in all its forms,” and they call for immigration reform.  While recognizing sovereign nations’ rights to control their borders, the bishops also note that all have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families and that refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection. The statement also commends the work of parishes, Catholic Community Services and Catholic Charities, and individual Catholics serving immigrants in our communities.

Thank You for Attending the Catholic Immigration Summit 

Thank you to all the advocates who joined us in person and via Zoom for the September 30 Catholic Immigration Summit.  WSCC’s Bishop Eusebio Elizondo opened the day with Mass.  Advocates then gathered to listen to a panel: Francoise Milinganyo of the Congolese Integration Network; Halyna Naumenko, a refugee who recently fled the war in Ukraine with her young family; and Nick Mele, a retired U.S. diplomat who has hosted immigrants via the Welcome Circles program in his parish.  Lunchtime discussions were held on a myriad of topics ranging from advocacy to immigration law to direct service programs.  The day concluded with a resource fair offering numerous ways to advocate, serve immigrants, and serve vulnerable populations.  The summit was organized by the Archdiocese of Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Ministry, Catholic Community Services, Catholic Immigration Legal Services, Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center, Seattle University’s Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture, and the WSCC.

WSCC Support for Initiative 2081 (I-2081) 

The WSCC supports Initiative 2081 (I-2081), which would establish a parents’ bill of rights for parents of children in public schools. In the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, families are a central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. I-2081 strengthens family rights.  Visit our website for more information. 

At the discretion of pastors, signatures for this initiative may be collected at parishes. Parishioners must obtain approval from pastors prior to collecting petition signatures on church grounds. I-2081 is an initiative to the Legislature, and petitions are due to the Secretary of State in December.  It is recommended that completed petitions be submitted to organizers around December 15. To qualify for legislative action, 324,516 valid signatures must be collected.  The Secretary of State recommends collecting 15-20% more than this number to guard against signatures that are invalidated due to non-registration or duplication. 

If you would like to collect signatures, contact the Family Policy Institute of Washington (FPIW) at info@fpiw.org or (425) 608-0242 to request petitions. Only official petitions forms will be accepted by the Secretary of State.  Please do not print your own copies. The FPIW is not a Catholic organization nor affiliated with the Catholic Church. They are working on I-2081 efforts and have graciously offered to serve as a distributor and collector of petitions. 

Signed petitions should be returned to campaign organizers, who will process and count petitions and officially submit them to the Secretary of State. Please return signed petitions to: 

Family Policy Institute of Washington
PO Box 975 
Lynwood, WA 98046

Click here to find a location to sign a petition as an individual.  Please note that the website host, Let’s Go Washington, is not affiliated with the Catholic Church nor the WSCC.  The inclusion of their petition location map in this bulletin should not be viewed as an endorsement of the organization. 

October: Respect Life Month

The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month in October. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, released this statement to commemorate the month and call for “radical solidarity.”  Visit the website of the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities for a multitude of resources for individuals, parishes, schools, and ministries as we observe the month.

As one aspect of Respect Life ministries, the bishops of the WSCC encourage parishes and individuals to build a culture of life via the statewide Pregnancy and Parenting Support (PREPARES) program. This parish-based ministry serves families in need. By supporting and accompanying women and families, Catholics can help those in crisis to choose life. Join or start a PREPARES program at your parish.

Church Political Guidelines; Vote By November 7

Register to vote by visiting Washington’s Secretary of State webpage.  Remember to mail your ballot by November 7.  For information about the Catholic Church’s teachings on numerous policy issues, see the USCCB’s publication, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

As election day approaches, the WSCC’s Political Guidelines may be helpful in determining which political activities the Catholic Church and parishes may and may not engage in. USCCB Guidelines are also available.

Good News and Events from Around the State

PREPARES Recognized as “Radical Solidarity”

Read this OSV article, which cites Washington’s Pregnancy and Parenting Support (PREPARES) program as an example of the “radical solidarity” that the Respect Life Month’s theme calls us to.  PREPARES is a parish-based program that accompanies mothers and families in need. You are invited to join or start a PREPARES ministry at your parish.

Archbishop Etienne Attends Synod

This month WSCC President, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, is attending the first general assembly of the Synod on Synodality in Rome. Archbishop Etienne is one of 50 delegates that was personally appointed by Pope Francis. For more details, see synod updates from Vatican News and Northwest Catholic. Archbishop Etienne will also be adding to his blog as he is able.

Congratulations, Bishop Pulido!

Congratulations to Bishop Felipe Pulido, who was consecrated on September 28.  This past summer he was named the new auxiliary bishop of Diocese of San Diego.  Prior to his consecration, Bishop Pulido lived in the Yakima Valley since his family moved there in 1988. He is the first priest of the Diocese of Yakima to be named a bishop since its founding in 1951.

Walk for Life Northwest in Spokane on October 15

During this Respect Life month, you are invited to attend a special Mass and the Walk for Life Northwest in Spokane on October 15.  Begin the day at 11 am with the WSCC’s Bishop Daly at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes. Then meet at 1 pm at the Rotary Fountain of Riverfront Park for the Walk for Life.  Details from the Diocese of Spokane are available here. 

October 21 Mass in honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha

You are invited to a Mass in honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha to celebrate the 11th anniversary of her canonization.  As this previous Northwest Catholic article recounts, the miracle that led to St. Kateri’s sainthood occurred locally under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Seattle.  Mass begins at 11 am.  Attend in person at St. James Cathedral in Seattle or via Vimeo or Facebook.  Click here for more details. 

Laudato Si’ Day of Prayer and Action in Spokane 

Throughout the world, Catholics are living the care for creation principles that Pope Francis called us to in Laudato Si’.  You are invited to a Laudato Si’ Day of Prayer and Action in Spokane on Saturday, October 28. Location: Immaculate Heart Retreat Center. Cost: $50. To register, call (509) 448-1224 or email kparker@ihrc.net.

Important Dates 

WSCC Staff

We invite you to contact us at any time.

Jean Welch Hill, Executive Director

jean.hill@wacatholics.org

Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, Director of Policy & Communications      

adrienne.joyce@wacatholics.org

Tracey Wilson Yackley, Operations Manager 

tracey.yackley@wacatholics.org

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