Southern Nebraska Register/NCC
On April 12, 2023, 275 Nebraska Catholics from across the state showed up and spoke up on a pivotal day when the Nebraska Legislature debated and voted on the ‘Heartbeat Bill.’
They did so by participating in Catholics at the Capitol, sponsored by the Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC).
Judy Westin of St. Michael Parish in Hastings recalled it was “like we were witnessing history and felt blessed to see it.”
At Catholics at the Capitol, attendees got a once-in-a-lifetime experience when the debate of the pro-life bill, the Nebraska Heartbeat Act (LB626), fell on the same day as the annual day of Catholic advocacy. The bill and its debate became a focal point of the day. The 2023 event also boasted inspiring talks from Governor Jim Pillen and several state senators at St. Mary Church across from the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Related item: Catholics at the Capitol 2023 photo slideshow
Attendees also had the chance to attend the “Advance the Heartbeat Act” press conference and rally that same afternoon on the north steps of the Capitol. Joined by more than 300 Nebraskans, Governor Pillen, statewide pro-life leaders and dozens of state senators noted the debate day as historic for Nebraska, bringing the state closer than ever to expanding protections for preborn babies in the womb.
The lineup of speakers included Senator Joni Albrecht, who introduced the Heartbeat Act; Governor Pillen; Katie Patrick, the executive director of Catholic Social Services and a mother who shared her “heartbeat story” of love and loss; Laura Buddenberg, the former executive director of Essential Pregnancy Services in Omaha; Dr. Elena Kraus, who shared her confidence that LB626 would help women receive adequate healthcare; and the newest state senator and co-sponsor of the bill, Carolyn Bosn.
The 2023 Catholics at the Capitol event concluded in triumph when 33 Nebraska state senators voted to advance the Nebraska Heartbeat Act through the first round of debate.
The NCC will host another experience in 2024 for Nebraska Catholics to advocate for their values and leave a similar impact on legislators.
The 10th annual Catholics at the Capitol will be held Wednesday, March 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary Church. Under the theme of “10 Years and Infinite Impact,” the event includes a program that will celebrate and continue the impact of decades of Catholic public policy advocacy in Nebraska.
NCC staff described Catholics at the Capitol as an “all-in-one Capitol experience,” where citizens can get caught up on Nebraska public policy relevant to Christians and Catholics. The topics include school choice expansion, religious liberty protections, life-affirming options for vulnerable moms and families, and more. Speakers for this event include Governor Pillen; state Senators Bosn, Steve Halloran, Lou Ann Linehan and Mike McDonell; NCC staff members; and other special guests.
One unique feature event attendees can look forward to this year is a presentation from Governor Pillen and NCC staff on defeating the pro-abortion ballot initiative. The talk will dive into the depths and horrifying truths of the ballot initiative that seeks to create a so-called “right to abortion” in the Nebraska Constitution. Attendees will walk away with concrete action items and opportunities for involvement to ensure this ballot measure fails in Nebraska.
Last November, a coalition of local and national pro-abortion groups announced formal plans to pursue a ballot initiative to codify “abortion rights” in the state’s constitution.
In the last few years, the pro-life movement has suffered seven losses across the nation when it comes to ballot measures. Seven states have either passed ballot measures that created a “right to abortion” or rejected a ballot measure that created a “right to life,” with the most recent losses occurring in Michigan and Ohio. National pro-abortion groups are pursuing ballot measures in seven more states to appear on ballots in November, including Nebraska.
State officials and pro-life leaders have coordinated opposition efforts, calling the certified ballot language dangerous. NCC Executive Director Tom Venzor, and Associate Director of Pro-Life and Family Policy Marion Miner have suggested the “vague and deceptive” initiative would allow abortion through all nine months of pregnancy for virtually any reason.
Among many grave issues with the language, many state statutes protecting preborn life and regulating abortion would be on the chopping block, like informed consent laws and parental notification laws, should the ballot initiative pass.
“This pro-abortion effort should concern every Nebraskan,” said Venzor, “and it’s why we need folks at Catholics at the Capitol—to learn about the consequences and, most importantly, how we will defeat it.”
Strategies to defeat the ballot initiative will be a big part of the day, but Catholics at the Capitol will also feature the opportunity to watch live legislative debate, and personal sit-downs with state senators. This key feature is arranged by the NCC for attendees, who will get to advocate for their values in face-to-face meetings with their representatives in the Legislature.
Paige Brown, communications and outreach specialist for the NCC, remarked in a recent social media post, “We set the meetings, and we educate you on the issues you’ll be able to talk about with them. All you have to do is show up.”
Like last year, attendees are encouraged to wear red in solidarity with preborn beating hearts, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“I remember hearing senators comment about the incredible showing of red, and that they were encouraged and inspired by the rally attendees and Catholics at the Capitol attendees,” Brown said. “Something as simple as our coordinated clothing helped make an impact on our legislators!”
Catholics at the Capitol is made for the average Catholic, no matter his or her political experience.
“I know so many people from my home parish that might not even be into politics, but they would be if they knew how serious things were right now, and they would greatly benefit from attending Catholics at the Capitol,” said Megan Fehr, the NCC’s other communications and outreach specialist.
As a first-timer and intern at Catholics at the Capitol last year, she said it was “like a field trip with all your Catholic friends, and it would definitely be worth the day off.”
Admission tickets are $15 each, covering the cost of breakfast, lunch and refreshments. Tickets can be purchased online at NECatholic.org, or over the phone at (402) 477-7517.
