California Bishops Statements

Statement of the Bishops on the California Budget Crisis

soto-blaire-weigand 2009 Budget Debate:
Bishops Call for Protection of the Poor, Real Reform

The president of the California Catholic Conference, Bishop Stephen Blaire, Diocese of Stockton, called on lawmakers to give top priority during budget deliberations to those who cannot help themselves. The statement of the California Bishops was introduced at a press conference on Thursday at the Sacramento Food Bank, in the heart of one of the Capitol’s most impoverished neighborhoods.

“The pain our people feel is real,” said Bishop Blaire. “We see it in the faces of families we meet at parishes throughout our dioceses. We know it intimately from the dedicated work the staff and volunteers at Catholic Charities perform every day, as they offer help and hear the stories of tired, depressed and anxious individuals who have lost their jobs, lost their homes and cannot provide for their children, their families or themselves.”

prison-bars Statement on
U.S. Supreme Court's Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentencing Decision
by CCC Restorative Justice Committee Chairs,
Bishops Richard Garcia and Gabino Zavala
May 18, 2010

In a 5-4 decision on Monday, May 17, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Graham v. Florida, that the sentence of “Life without Parole” (LWOP) for non-homicide crimes committed by juveniles was unconstitutional. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said, “Life in prison without the possibility of parole gives no chance for fulfillment outside prison walls, no chance for reconciliation with society, no hope.”

Clearly this Supreme Court decision is a good first step towards more just sentencing—sentencing which will offer the offender, the victims and the community a chance for restorative justice. Quoting from our 2000 document, Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation,” promulgated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:

sisters-mercy At their semiannual meeting on October 29, the Bishops of California issued a statement of appreciation for Women Religious in California.

Recounting their contribution to the Catholic Church in California, the Bishops said: "For nearly 200 years they have been faithful disciples and co-workers in bringing the message of the Gospel to the western regions of our country."

They went on to say: "We...join our people in thanking Women Religious for being our ‘sisters,' for their presence among us...and for the difference they have made in our lives."

Click here to read the statement in both English or Spanish.

2008

September 2008

Catholic Bishops of California Statement On Proposition 6
Declaración de los Obispos Católicos de California En Oposición a la Proposición 6

September 2008

Statement of Catholic Bishops of California in Support of Proposition 4
Declaración de los Obispos Católicos de California En apoyo a la Proposición 4

August 2008

A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of California in Support of Proposition 8

May 2008

NEWS RELEASE: CA Bishops express disappointment about the May 15, 2008 CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 22.

2007

November 2007