2.23.2024 In this advocacy update from the Office of Government Relations:


  
     
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
                            
                            
    
  

  
    
      

	  
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
              
              
                
                  
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    2.23.2024  In this advocacy update from the Office of Government Relations:
International Committee Chairman Calls for Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine
Conference Submits Comments to IHS Related to Abortion Funding
Insight: New Initiative Strives to Explain Perennial Question "What is Love"
Employment Opportunities at USCCB
Trending and Social Media Highlights

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
  
  

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Chairman of USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace Calls for Peace and Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine
Photo: Getty Images
As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its third year, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, released a statement this week urging the U.S. government to provide more aid immediately to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainians and expressing concern at Russia’s targeting of religious communities in Ukraine.
He writes:
“The magnitude of the suffering in the Ukrainian conflict continues to sear the conscience of the faithful. According to a UN report, the number of civilians killed and injured since February 2022 exceeds 30,000. Schools, hospitals, apartments, and basic infrastructure supplying power have been hit by missiles. In the face of such destruction and death, people are repeatedly displaced, insecure as to where to find safety.”
Echoing Pope Francis, Bishop Zaidan calls for an end to the violence in Ukraine and for February 24 to be set aside as a solemn day of prayer and fasting for the end of the war.
The full statement is available here.

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
  
  

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Conference of Bishops Submits Comments on IHS Proposal Expanding Public Funding of Abortion
The USCCB filed comments this week in response to proposed rules published by the Indian Health Service (IHS) to rescind IHS regulations on abortion, which would expand abortion funding among indigenous populations. The USCCB urges retention, and some revisions, of these regulations rather than rescission.
In their comments, the USCCB stated:
The American Indian and Alaska Native maternal mortality and morbidity and infant mortality rates continue to be disproportionately high. In our view, IHS’s focus should be on continuing to improve maternal and infant health, not eliminating regulatory provisions that ensure compliance with conditions that Congress has established for the funding of abortions.
You may read the USCCB submission here.

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
  
  

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Insight:
New Initiative Strives to Explain the Perennial Question: “What is Love?”
“Conversations about love, marriage, sexuality, family, and the human person can be confusing and polarizing”, said Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester. “This is why I am pleased to announce the launch of Love Means More to help bring clarity and compassion to those questions.”
As the month of February brings cultural attention to Valentine’s Day and with it, conflicting notions of love, Bishop Barron noted that “cultural narratives tell us love is mostly about feeling good. True love is deeper than that, calling us to follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love so we can live in union with Him forever.”
The Love Means More initiative is an ongoing campaign, based around a new website that takes a deep dive into the meanings of love. It is a versatile resource for Catholic catechists, as well as “seekers” from any religious background, but also welcomes those who profess no religious background at all. Bishop Barron is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, which is spearheading the initiative. 
The website for Love Means More may be accessed at: https://lovemeansmore.org/

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
  
  

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Government Relations and Public Policy Employment Opportunities at USCCB
USCCB is currently seeking qualified applicants for several open positions, including Associate Director in the Office of Government Relations as well as Associate Director for Public Policy in the Secretariat of Catholic Education. The Conference offers a wide range of benefits to employees and the ability to work remotely two days per week. Those interested in either of these job opportunities are encouraged to review the full position descriptions on the USCCB website here.

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
  
  

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Trending and Social Media Highlights
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    The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB's) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy.  
The Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the USCCB before the U.S. Congress on public policy issues of concern to the bishops. Please reach out to our team if we can be of assistance to you. 
Michelle Gress 
Executive Director
mgress@usccb.org  
Issues: Religious Liberty; Marriage
Micheal E. Hill
Associate Director
mhill@usccb.org 
Issues: Immigration and Refugee; Communication; Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism
Ingrid Delgado 
Associate Director
idelgado@usccb.org 
Issues: Pro-Life; International Justice and Peace
Vacant
Associate Director
Issues: Domestic Social Development; Catholic Education