A group of 15 people from the Diocese of San Bernardino traveled north to the state capitol on April 28 for the annual exercise in Faithful Citizenship. The group met with 17 different lawmakers or a representative of their staff, urging them to oppose SB 128.
“Being able to talk about the issues that are important to society and my family makes a difference,” said Karen Hein of St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Alta Loma.
The Catholic Church in California has joined a broad coalition, Californians Against Assisted Suicide, that is urging members of the State Senate and State Assembly to vote against the bill. Catholic Advocacy Day participants said several lawmakers stated that they needed more information about SB 128 before deciding how they will vote.
“[They] are not ready to disclose their positions as many would like to learn more about the issue,” said Sister Chilee Okoko, D.M.M.M., Director of the Department of Life, Dignity and Justice for the Diocese.
Catholic belief in the sanctity of all human life, and that God is the author of life and death, is the primary reason for the Church’s opposition to doctor-prescribed suicide. The Church also shares the concerns of other opponents that the bill will serve as a gateway to more aggressive assisted suicide and euthanasia laws that pose a particular danger to the disabled and the chronically ill.
Catholics are urged to contact their local representatives in the State Senate and Assembly and urge them to vote against SB 128. This can be done easily via the California Catholic Conference web site at www.cacatholic.org/
The Diocesan delegation that participated in Catholic Advocacy Day advocated for seven other bills during their visit:
Assembly Bill 337 (SUPPORT) – Gives K-12 teachers tax credits for out-of-pocket expenses on instructional materials and classroom supplies.
Assembly Bill 775 (OPPOSE) – Would require pregnancy centers that are pro-life oriented to advertise the availability of low-cost family planning services including contraception and abortion.
Senate Bill 124 (SUPPORT) – Would set standards for the use of solitary confinement for juveniles.
Assembly Bill 43 (SUPPORT) – Would establish a refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit.
Senate Bill 38 (SUPPORT) – Would establish a state Earned Income Tax Credit for low wage workers.
Senate Bill 23 (SUPPORT) – Would repeal the Maximum Family Grant rule that denies parents additional benefits upon the arrival of another child.
Senate Bill 3 (SUPPORT) – Would increase the minimum wage in California to $11 per hour beginning in 2016 and $13 per hour in July 2017.
The Diocesan Office of Social Concerns will continue to work with Advocacy Day participants and parish-based advocacy teams to follow-up with the lawmakers in their home districts about the bills discussed and other public policy matters of concern to the faith community.