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.

The death penalty system is broken and, to date, nine men in Ohio have been found innocent after spending decades on death row. Implementing the death penalty is a violation of human rights, no matter the crime. Research shows that receiving the death penalty in Ohio is largely dependent on geographic location and race. Currently, Ohio has two bills moving through the legislature that would repeal and abolish the death penalty. The movement has never gotten this far or shown this much promise of succeeding.

We're partnering with Crossroads Church to welcome Bekky Baker from IJPC on Thursday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. over Zoom

for a discussion on the history and implications of death row, the faith perspective on the death penalty, and what we can do to end it.

Register for the “Laudato Si’ and the U.S. Catholic Church” Conference!

All Catholics in the U.S. who care about faithfully protecting creation are invited to attend the virtual LSUS conference: “Laudato Si’ and the U.S. Catholic Church: A Conference Series on Our Common Home.” Registration is now open for the July 13-15, 2021 virtual gathering. Join us!

The LSUS conference opens July 13^th with keynote addresses by His Eminence Blase Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, and Maureen Day, PhD, Assistant Professor of Religion and Society at the Franciscan School of Theology. Together, they will assess why the U.S. Catholic response to Laudato Si’ has not been commensurate with the urgency and gravity of the climate crisis. See the full conference schedule.

On July 14-15, the conference continues, featuring interactive breakout sessions in eight areas of the U.S. Catholic Church working to more faithfully incorporate Laudato Si’:

The conference is free, but registration is required, and a donation is encouraged to offset costs that include Spanish language interpretation. 

In partnership with Creighton, the 2021 conference expresses Catholic Climate Covenant’s leading role coordinating U.S. Catholic enactment of the Vatican “Laudato Si’ Action Platform.”

EquaSion, the parent organization of the Festival of Faiths, has launched a new interfaith educational and action initiative to address racism. It is called 'A Mighty Stream' and the Social Action has signed on as one of the initial partners. You can click here to learn more, and if your parish is interested in joining this wonderful effort, please let Andrew know.

After several years of good and faithful service, Becky has moved on to a new ministry. We celebrate and are thankful for her great work and wish her the best in her new endeavor. We're therefore also looking for someone to take over for her in the northern area. To learn more about the position, check out the posting (applications accepted through 7/16) or reach out to Sara. It's 21 hours/week, and we're looking for someone with a heart for justice and a love for our rural sisters and brothers.

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!

Starting this month, the Respect Life Office – our sister office in the Department for Life, Human Dignity, and Charity – will be sharing content from their office in order that we might further partner is our efforts to respect all life, from womb to tomb, and work for dignity and justice. At the end of each article, you’ll find a link to more information from their office. 

The Hyde Amendment and similar laws have been protecting taxpayers from funding elective abortion for 45 years. Now, members of Congress want to take away these laws that both Democrats and Republicans have supported since the 1970s, whether Congress and the White House were led by Republicans or Democrats. This year, however, for the first time, there is an explicit call for the Hyde Amendment to be repealed. Protecting conscience rights is one reason to support keeping the Hyde Amendment in place, so that no one is forced to pay for something that ends human life. In addition, the Charlotte Lozier Institute in 2016 estimated that the Hyde Amendment had already saved over 2 million lives. The USCCB is vehemently opposed to revoking the Hyde Amendment, and is encouraging all of us to send a petition to members of Congress, to urge them “in the strongest possible terms,” to ensure that the Hyde Amendment and other similar life-saving appropriations remain in place with any legislation enacted. Check out the No Taxpayer Abortion page and sign your name, and pass the link on to everyone in your parish.

check out the Newsletter here. 

Returning Citizens (i.e. ex-felons) face many challenges as they seek to integrate back into their communities and be productive members of society.

The Help Program (www.helpprogramcincinnati.net) was started several years ago by Marianist Brother Mike Murphy with a focus on providing assistance to Returning Citizens. Initial emphasis is placed on helping Returning Citizens find jobs as well as providing a range of other essential services, including transportation to and from their worksite. The HELP Program is based at St Francis De Sales parish in Walnut Hills and is a partner with the Archdiocese’s DISMAS Task Force.

Should you know of ex-felons in need of assistance or perhaps your parish may be interested in a presentation to learn more about the HELP Program, please contact Wilson Willard, Executive Director at 513-432-0907 or email HELPProgramCincinnati@outlook.com.

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.

What:   An Archdiocesan-wide Service Day -

When: Saturday, October 9, 2021

Where: Across the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Who: As many people as possible across the Archdiocese - Young and old, families, parishes, schools, colleges and universities, young adults, youth groups, senior living centers, religious congregations, etc.

Why: Many religious congregations of women and men came to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 200 or more years ago to serve new immigrants, especially German, Italian, Irish, and others, through education, health care, and other social services. Partnering with and engaging people of all ages today in service across the Archdiocese is a fitting way to honor and extend the 200 years of service given by Sisters, Brothers and Priests.

How: Each organization is invited to chose one of the following options.

A. Choose a ready-made project. For example, donate to a Catholic Charities food pantry, or partner with the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC) by writing letters for the World Day against the Death Penalty, which is October 10, with St. Vincent de Paul in Cincinnati or Dayton or with another organization.

B. Create your own project.

Go to www.Cincy200.com for updates, timelines, service ideas, contact information for agencies, etc.  

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.