Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, announced the creation of a Laudato Si Action Platform. It is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organizations, and “all men and women of good will”. (LS #3) As storms increase in intensity, seas rise, and droughts turn once fertile land into deserts, the human family faces even higher risks of hunger, sickness, and conflict, it is the most vulnerable of our sisters and brothers who face the worst consequences. In 2010 Pope Benedict the XVI, also known as the Green Pope, said, “How can we separate, or even set at odds the protection of the environment and the protection of human life, including the life of the unborn?”

The Laudato Si Action Platform takes the 2015 encyclical and envisions a response that engages every corner of the earth. The Platform is being launched in stages throughout 2021 and 2022. It is a 7-year journey toward global sustainability and will engage in stages families, parishes and dioceses, educational institutions, healthcare, lay organizations, the economic sector, and religious communities,

The Archdiocesan Care for Creation Task Force is exploring ways to engage the local Catholic community in this important challenge. The Platform and its resources are available at laudatosiactionplatform.org.

For many decades, the Catholic Church has strongly discouraged the use of the death penalty as a means to protect citizens. It is an assault on human dignity and violates our belief in the value of all life. Dating back to the 1970s, the U.S. Bishops have stood in opposition to the death penalty. Popes Saint John Paul II (the death penalty is “cruel and unusual”), Benedict XVI (we “must make every effort to eliminate the death penalty”), and Francis (“unacceptable” and “cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment”) have all written in opposition to the use of the death penalty. Ultimately, in 2018 the Catechism was updated and called for the abolition of the death penalty (#2267). Likewise, the Ohio bishops have, since the ‘70s, encouraged state law makers to end the use of the death penalty in OH. Just this past year, the Ohio bishops thanked Gov. DeWine for the multiple reprieves he has granted. Sadly, despite multiple attempts, it is still legal in OH.

Thankfully, there is a real possibility that we can abolish the death penalty in OH this year. Two key pieces of legislation – SB 108 and HB 183 – have been introduced that would abolish the death penalty. The Ohio bishops collectively and Archbishop Schnurr individually have issued statements supporting this legislation, and their voices joining a growing state-wide coalition working to end the death penalty. We encourage all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to join in the effort to end this state-sanctioned violence and respect all life, from womb to tomb.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the principle way the U.S. bishops and U.S. Catholic Church fight domestic poverty and see to create equity and justice in our communities.

Look out for some great promotional materials sharing the great work local CCHD-funded groups are doing or visit our CCHD website.

If you're in a position to financially support the work of CCHD, you can donate safely and securing through our online giving portal. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

While many of us are starting to return to a more normal way of life following the COVID-19 lockdowns, we must not forget the other pandemic that has left millions of women and men wounded in our society. With the isolation of 2020, abortionists were prescribing more women RU-486, also known as the abortion pill. While there are two surgical abortion facilities in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, there many other clinics where women can be prescribed this at-home abortion regimen without anyone telling her how painful and traumatic it will be to end the life of her baby at home, alone.

We are blessed in our Archdiocese to have a ministry specifically for the women and men who have experienced the pain and guilt of an abortion experience. Whether the abortion occurred in 2020 or in 1973, Project Rachel is available for anyone who needs God’s love and mercy to revive their broken hearts. For nearly 30 years, Project Rachel has offered support and healing through one-on-one peer ministry, referrals to priests and professional counselors, day and weekend long retreat experiences, and support groups that allow those who are deeply hurt to begin their healing journey.

A veteran of the ministry shares her experience:

Project Rachel saved my life. After years of hiding a secret burden…God opened my heart to receive all that He had for me within the women of Project Rachel. Through their sharing of their own stories and heartaches, I came to realize that I had been running from the pain of mourning my lost child…. I know now that I have a daughter in Heaven who is my intercessor and who loves me. I now do my best to honor that daughter by living a life of grace in her name. I hope all of those who have been hurt by abortion can find hope and healing in God through the Project Rachel ministry.

We all carry wounds left by sin. God extends healing through His great mercy. This is no different for those who have suffered from abortion. While we rightfully condemn those who foster the attitude that it is a woman’s right to choose abortion, and mourn the loss of over 60 million lives, behind each one of those lost lives is a woman who is silently suffering. She is suffering from a decision she was likely coerced into, lied to about, or least encouraged to make out of fear, for which she all too often feels isolated and condemned by the same Church that is supposed to offer the forgiveness of Jesus. Whenever any of us make statements about the evil of abortion, let us always remember to—in the same breath—invite those affected by abortion to come find healing through Project Rachel or another post-abortion ministry. We are a Church of saints and sinners. May our response to abortion always be full of mercy and love because we are all in need of grace.

Please join EquaSion at this year's Festival of Faiths, presented virtually from August 22-29. This year's activities will include representation by many of Cincinnati's diverse faith groups and their leaders.

You can find the calendar of events here, as well as read the description of and register for the events.

The Office for Persons with Disabilities works to establish a culture of inclusion and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities and their families in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. If you have any questions or need any assistance, you can contact our office at opd@catholicaoc.org.

As we explore what it looks like to worship Together, it is important for our parishes to take pause and extend an invitation to persons with disabilities and their families. One excellent way to demonstrate that a parish community truly welcomes persons with disabilities is to host regularly scheduled Sensory-Friendly Liturgies. These liturgies are not difficult to implement. They only require some small accommodations such as lower lighting, softer music, and the use of a Children’s Lectionary for a more literal interpretation of the readings; but by simply setting aside a regularly scheduled Mass to directly invite persons with sensory needs, you can send a message to persons with disabilities and their families that they are wanted and expected at your parish.

The Office for Persons with Disabilities has all the resources needed to assist parishes in implementing these basic changes to make Mass more accessible to persons with autism, Down Syndrome, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Contact Noelle Collis-DeVito to begin the process of making your parish a place of belonging for all!

Our office is now on multiple social media platforms. Please add us to your contacts, friends, or following list so we keep you up to date on what's going on.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information 

USCCB Document 1 | USSCB Document 2

Vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer to combat COVID-19 may be taken without moral reservations, and some pro-life Catholic scholars have stated that all vaccines are morally acceptable.