For many years the Diocesan Councils of Catholic Women from the three dioceses in Nebraska have sponsored a legislative day in Lincoln. The Nebraska Catholic Conference has assisted with and participated in this annual event.
This year, in an effort to expand the reach and purpose of this legislative day, it has been somewhat restructured and given a new name, “Catholics at the Capitol.” And all Catholics are encouraged to attend.
Catholics at the Capitol will be held Tuesday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Mary Church (across from the Capitol) in Lincoln. The event is co-hosted this year by the Nebraska Catholic Conference, the Diocesan Councils of Catholic Women, the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Daughters of America.
The general purpose of Catholics at the Capitol is to raise awareness among Catholics that our faith teaches that “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.” (Faithful Citizenship, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
More specific purposes of this event are the following: to inform Catholics about specific legislation of concern or interest to the Church, to facilitate interaction between Catholics and their state senators, to learn about Church teaching on key issues that are debated in our State Legislature, and to help Catholics better understand our state’s legislative process.
We are blessed to have Archbishop George J. Lucas from Omaha and Bishop James D. Conley from Lincoln present for this inaugural Catholics at the Capitol event. Newly consecrated Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt from Grand Island is not able to attend.
Archbishop Lucas will provide the opening prayer and introductory remarks to start the day. Bishop Conley will follow with an address about “Living our Faith in the Public Square.” I will then give a brief overview of key legislation the Nebraska Catholic Conference is supporting, opposing or monitoring.
Sheri Rickert, policy director and general counsel at the Nebraska Catholic Conference, will explain the scholarship tax credit bill (LB 26) that would result in needed and just financial assistance to lower-income parents wanting to send their children to parochial or private school. Rickert will also provide an update on the status of legal challenges to traditional marriage in Nebraska and at the federal level.
The final topic, “Immigration Challenges,” will be presented by Omar Gutierrez, manager of the Archdiocese of Omaha’s Missions and Justice Office.
Immediately following these presentations, participants will be invited to walk across the street to the State Capitol where they will be encouraged to visit with their state senator about one or more legislative issues of particular interest to the Church. A packet of information about these issues will be provided to each participant. Participants will also have an opportunity to observe our State Legislature in action.
The formal schedule for Catholics at the Capitol will end with 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Mary Church. However, following Mass (and lunch on their own) participants will be encouraged to pray a rosary at Planned Parenthood’s abortion facility at 48th Street and Old Cheney Road before heading home.
There is no charge to attend Catholics at the Capitol. Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged by calling 402-477-7517 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More information about this event is available online at www.necatholic.org.
Please come join your fellow Catholics at the Capitol and heed these words of Pope Francis: “A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself so that those who govern can govern.”
