From the Executive Director

As election season intensifies, Catholic voters are blessed to have strong, Scripture-based teachings to guide our votes and engagement in political decisions.  

From this teaching, we understand that efforts to vilify groups of people, whether it is immigrants, people experiencing homelessness or political opponents, undermine the dignity of life. At its worst, dehumanizing language makes the destruction of life more acceptable. At its “best,” such language leads us to seek easy answers for complex problems that ultimately may exacerbate, rather than solve, the issues; answers such as bans on homeless camps without shelter alternatives, border walls without a viable path to legal immigration, assisted suicide without widespread options for mental health treatment and palliative care.  Click here to continue reading. 

Vote NO on Initiative 2117

You will have the opportunity to vote for or against Initiative 2117 (I-2117) on the November ballot. I-2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a state climate bill passed in 2021, and it would bar implementation of any similar cap and trade programs in the future. The WSCC opposes I-2117 and recommends advocates vote NO on I-2117. Read more here.  

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship 

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) publishes Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which speaks to our political responsibilities as Catholics. Leading up to the election, we will highlight various components of this teaching document. This month we invite you to view these two handouts:

An Introductory Note to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

The Role of the Church in American Political Life

Additionally, the following USCCB videos provide supplementary information on these topics: 

Catholics Participate in Public Life (Spanish) and Faithful Citizens Work with Christ as He Builds His Kingdom (Spanish).

Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics

During this election year, all are invited to engage in “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good,” (no. 154) as Pope Francis articulates in Fratelli Tutti. As polarization permeates politics, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops designed a Civilize It campaign to draw Catholics to faithful citizenship. Read Five Tips from Pope Francis on How to Engage in “a Better Kind of Politics” and take the Civilize It pledge. 

Archdiocese of Seattle Response to Attorney General Press Conference 

Photo: TVW.org schreenshot

Last week Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that he is taking legal action against the Archdiocese of Seattle, accusing it of withholding documents related to clergy abuse. Read more in this Northwest Catholic article, including statements issued by the archdiocese. Statements are also available from the Diocese of Spokane and the Diocese of Yakima. 

Good News from Around the State

Last year, more than 653,000 people experienced homelessness in Washington state. Catholic organizations, including the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington, and Catholic Charities Eastern Washington provide services and/or temporary or permanent supportive housing options to those in need. Below are some highlights of recent work they have engaged in. We invite you to visit these organizations’ websites to learn more or to volunteer. Advocating for affordable housing and those experiencing homelessness is one of the WSCC’s legislative priorities.

Last month, Archbishop Paul Etienne and Bishop Frank Schuster blessed CCSWW’s newest housing addition, St. Margaret’s Place in Shoreline. St. Margaret’s Place consists of 100 supportive housing units.

Earlier this month, Bishop Schuster visited with Executive Director Mirya Muñoz-Roach to highlight the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County. Mirya is also a WSCC board member. View the video on Facebook or Instagram.

Catholic Charities Central Washington has affordable multifamily rental properties throughout central Washington for low-income families, farmworkers, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness. Pictured here are Rose of Mary Terrace, which houses seniors, and Blessed Kateri Village, which provides farmworker and workforce housing.

Catholic Charities Eastern Washington provides over 2,600 apartment units to families, individuals, seniors, veterans, and agricultural workers.  Pictured here are Gonzaga Haven and Cathedral Plaza.

Upcoming Event

Womb to Tomb Pro-life Retreat

Registration is now open for Womb to Tomb, a pro-life retreat hosted by St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lynden, WA. WSCC Director of Policy and Communications, Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, will be one of the speakers.

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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Click here to view previous WSCC bulletins on our website.