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Find a Listing of

  • Public Policy Statements and Testimony of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference
  • Individual Statements of Catholic Bishops in the Commonwealth or New England
  • Other Select Resources on Public Policy Issues of the Day

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And Click On Underlined Titles to Open Documents

Beginning-of-Life Concerns back to topic list

MCC Testimony on Bill Promoting Adult Stem Cell Research, Ed Saunders, Jr., 1-2010

MCC Testimony on Abortion-Related Bills and Fetal Homicide, Ed Saunders, Jr., 7-2009

Testimony of Marian Desrosier, Project Rachel, Fall River Diocese, on Woman's Right to Know Bill, 7-2009

Four Dioceses Participate in FOCA postcard campaign, see Boston, Fall River, Springfield, Worcester, 2-2009

MCC Testimony on Abortion-Related Bills, Dan Avila, 3-2008

Bishops' Statement on Advances in Stem Cell Research, 12-2007

Bishop McManus Statement Regarding Teen Pregnancy Conference at Holy Cross, 10-2007

MCC Comments on Embryonic Stem Cell Regulations, 9-2007

Bishop McManus Statement on Governor Patrick's Stem Cell Funding Proposal, 5-2007

Bishops' Reply to Governor Patrick's Remarks on Expanding Embryonic Stem Research, 4-2007

Bishop McManus Statement on Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, 1-2007

MCC Testimony on Emergency Contraception Mandate, 4-2005

MCC Q & A on Cloning and Embryo Research, 3-2005

Op Ed on Cloning, Bp McManus, Worcester, 3-2005

Bishops' Statement on Human Cloning and Research on Human Embryos, 3-2005

Bishop Reilly Testifies on Woman's Right to Know, 10-2003

MCC Testimony on Emergency Contraception Mandate, 6-2003

Q & A on the Woman's Right to Know bill (informed consent to abortion) 2003

Statement on Cloning Announcement, Bp Reilly, Worcester, 11-2001

Pastoral:  In Vitro Fertilization & Embryonic Stem Cells, Bp O'Malley, Fall River, 11-2001

MCC Memo on Legal Status of Human Embryo, 10-2001

Statements on Stem Cell Research, Cardinal Law & Bp O'Malley, 8-2001

Statements on Stem Cell Research, Bp Reilly & Bp Dupre, 8-2001

MCC Testimony on Woman's Right to Know Bill, 5-2001

MCC Briefing Paper on Abortion Consent in Massachusetts, 5-2001

MCC Testimony on Abortion-Breast Cancer Link, 4-2001

Address:   Church is Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-Poor, Cardinal Law, Boston, 5-2001

MCC Testimony on Insurance for Mothers of Stillborn Children, 4-2001

MCC Testimony on Safe Havens-Baby Drop-Off Bill, 4-2001

Pastoral Letter, For the Love of Life (Abortion & Euthanasia), Bp O'Malley, Fall River, 11-2000

Column on Pro-Life Advances, Bp Dupre, Springfield, 5-2000

Joint Legislative Appearance of Four Ordinaries Against Partial Birth Abortion, 5-2000

Statement on Partial Birth Abortion, Bp O'Malley, Fall River, 4-2000

Catholic Legal Brief on Frozen Embryos in Massachusetts, 12-1999 (Word97)

Bishops' Statement on Reproductive Choice Act (H3239), 5-1993

Criminal Justice & Violence back to topic list

MCC Testimony on Services for Incarcerated Women Involving Pregnancy and Contraception, Ed Saunders, Jr., 7-2009

MCC Testimony on Domestic Violence Information, Ed Saunders, Jr., 7-2009

Bishops' Joint Statement on Criminal Statutes of Limitation Proposals, 6-2006

Statement, Journey of Conversion: Prison Jubilee Week, MCC, 7-2000

Death Penalty back to topic list

Death Penalty in Massachusetts--MCC Fact Sheet

MCC Testimony Against Death Penalty Bill, Ed Saunders, Jr., 10-2007

Statement on Governor Romney's Death Penalty Commission Report, Archbishop O'Malley, 5-2004

Joint Statement on the Death Penalty, MCC & Bishops, 2-2001

Joint Statement Against Reinstating the Death Penalty, MCC, 3-1999

Pastoral Letter, The Gospel of Life vs the Death Penalty, Bp O'Malley, Fall River, 2-1999

Bishops' Statement on Capital Punishment, 7-1994

Education back to topic list

Website of Parents Alliance for Catholic Education (PACE)

MCC Testimony on Early Education for All, 10-2003

Bishops' Statement Against Bilingual Education "English Immersion" Referendum Proposal, Nov. 2002

Joint Statement on Special Education Access, MCC, 3-2000

Elections back to topic list

Statement on the Right to Life, Cardinal O'Malley, Boston, 10-2008

Interview on Faithful Citizenship, Bp McManus, Worcester, 10-2008

Citizenship & the Well-Informed Conscience, MCC Bulletin Insert, 10-2008
English   Spanish   Portuguese

Election Guidelines for Parishes, MCC Bishops, 9 & 10-2006

Election Statement, MCC Bishops, 11-2004

Interview on Faithful Catholics & Voting, Bp McManus, Worcester, 10-2004

Reflection on "Catholics in Political Life", Bp McManus, Worcester, 6-2004

Election Statements, MCC Bishops, 11-2002

Column on Voting: Right, Duty, Privilege, Bp Dupre, Springfield, 10-2000

Election Statement, MCC, 10-2000

Election Statement, MCC Bishops, 10-1992

Employment Issues back to topic list

MCC Testimony on CORI Reform, Ed Saunders, Jr., 7-2009

MCC Testimony on CORI Reform, Ed Saunders, Jr., 3-2008

Bishops' Joint Statement on Proposed Minimum Wage Increase, 6-2006

End-of-Life Concerns back to topic list

In Support of Life Resource Page (Includes Catholic Health Care Proxy), MCC

Mass. Council of Churches Statement Against Assisted Suicide, 3-2001

Pastoral Letter, For the Love of Life (Abortion & Euthanasia), Bp O'Malley, Fall River, 11-2000

Statement Regarding the World Conference on Assisted Dying, 9-2000

Address, The Catholic Vision of Life and Death, Cardinal Law, Boston, 3-1999

MCC Testimony on "Living Will" Legislation, 3-1982

Environment back to topic list

Pastoral Letter, And God Saw That It Was Good, N.Eng. Bishops, 9-2000

Family & Marriage back to topic list

MCC Testimony on Healthy Behaviors Bill, Linda Thayer, 1-2010

MCC Testimony Supporting Parental "Opt-In" for Sexuality Education, Ed Saunders, Jr., 10-2009

MCC Testimony Opposing Health Frameworks Mandate on Sexuality Education, Ed Saunders, Jr., 10-2009

MCC Testimony on "Gender Identity" Bill, Ed Saunders, Jr., 7-2009

MCC Testimony on Same-Sex "Marriage" Bill, Ed Saunders, Jr., 7-2009

Bishops' Joint Statement on Ads Promoting Adultery, 11-2008

MCC Fact Sheet on 1913 Law, 7-2008

Bishops' Joint Statement on Proposal to Repeal 1913 Marriage Residency Law, 7-2008

MCC Testimony on "Transgender Rights" Bill, Dan Avila, 3-2008

MCC Testimony on Same-Sex "Marriage" Bills, Dan Avila, 3-2008

MCC Testimony on Parental Opt-In for Sexuality Education, Ed Saunders, Jr., 6-2007

Bishops' Joint Statement After June 14 Con Con Vote on Marriage Amendment, 6-2007

Bishops' Joint Letter to Legislators Before June 14 Con Con, 6-2007

Bishops' Joint Letter to Legislators Before May 9 Con Con, 5-2007

MCC Testimony on Sexuality Education Mandate & Summary of Frameworks, Linda Thayer, 5-2007

MCC Press Release After Successful Vote on Marriage Amendment at Jan. 2 Con-Con, 1-2007

Bishops' Joint Statement Responding to SJC Ruling Mandating a Legislative Vote on Amendment, 12-2006

Bishops' Joint Letter to Legislators Before Jan. 2007 Con-Con, 12-2006

Bishops' Joint Statement Reacting to Failure to Vote and Recess on Nov. 9th, 11-2006

Bishops Issue Individualized Bulletin Inserts to Parishes before Nov. Con-Con, 10-2006, see English version, Spanish version or Portuguese version.

Bishops' Joint Statement Before July Con-Con Urging Legislators to Vote on Amendment, 6-2006

Cardinal O'Malley's Statement on Marriage Vote at Press Conference Called by Gov. Romney, 6-2006

Bishops Issue Individual Letters to Parishes Urging Parishioners to Contact Legislators Before May Con-Con, 4 & 5-2006

Boston:       Cardinal O'Malley
Fall River:    Bishop Coleman & Spanish
Springfield:   Bishop McDonnell
Worcester:   Bishop McManus

MCC Testimony on New Marriage Amendment, 4-2006, relying on VoteOnMarriage Analysis "Why the New Marriage Amendment Does Not Violate the 14th Amendment" at link

Bishops' Statement on Same-Sex Adoption, 2-2006

Letter on Homosexuality, Abp O'Malley, Boston, 11-2005

Bishops Issue Individual Letters to Parishes Urging Cooperation with Signature Drive for New Amendment, 9-2005

Bishops' Statement Supporting Petition Drive for New Marriage Amendment, 6-2005

MCC Testimony on Marriage Bills, 4-2005

MCC Staff Memo on Faith-Based Integrity and Same-Sex Marriage, 8-2004

Statement of Bishop McManus of Worcester entitled "Pastoral Note of Clarification" on obligations of Catholics with respect to officiating at same-sex marriage ceremonies, 5-2004

Statement of Archbishop O'Malley on Proposal to Add "Civil Union" Guarantee, 3-2004

Joint Statement of Religious Leaders Supporting Constitutional Amendment on Marriage, 2-2004

Marriage in Massachusetts:  Crisis & Challenge--Resource Guide for Catholic Leaders, 1-2004

Bishops' Statement on Marriage Mailer, 1-2004

Bishops' Statement on Goodridge Ruling (English; Spanish), 11-28-2003

Statements of Archbishop O'Malley, Bishop Reilly, Bishop Coleman and MCC Staff responding to Goodridge Ruling, 11-19-2003

Bishop Reilly Testifies on Civil Union and Same Sex Marriage Legislation, 10-2003

What's At Stake, Address of Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Archdiocese of Boston, to Summit of October to Save Marriage, regarding same sex marriage, 10-2003

Bishops' Statement on Marriage Addressed to Parishes, Bishops' Statement on Marriage Addressed to Legislators, and Why the Bishops Spoke Out by Gerry D'Avolio, 6-2003

Use of Contraceptives After Rape, "Notes from the Hill" reflection on "emergency contraceptives", 3-2003

MCC Q & A on Definition of Marriage, 2003

MCC Amicus Brief on Definition of Marriage and Catholic Action League of Massachusetts Brief, both filed in Goodridge v. Dep't of Public Health, 12-2001

Commentary on the Protection of Marriage Amendment, 12-2001

Notes for Domestic Partnership Hearing, D. Avila, 6-2001

MCC Testimony on Protection of Marriage Bill, 5-2001

MCC Press Release on Filing of Lawsuit to Redefine Marriage, 4-2001

MCC Testimony on Family Leave Bills, 4,5-2001

Statements on Vermont Civil Unions Law, N.E. Bishops & Bp Dupre, Springfield, 6-2000

MCC Testimony on Domestic Partnership Legislation, G. D'Avolio, 1-2000

Marriage, Social Benefits & the SJC, Bp Murphy, Pilot Column, 8-1999

MCC Statement on Proposed State DOMA Bill, Bp McNamara, 5-1999

Bishops' Statement on Benefits Package for Homosexual Partners, 10-1992

Family:   The Key to a Healthy Society, Statement of the Massachusetts Catholic Bishops, 1991

Bishops' Statement in Opposition to House Bill 5469 Concerning Sexual Orientation, 11-1987

Bishops' Statement on Legitimating Homosexual Lifestyle, 5-1984

Free Speech, Religious Freedom, & Related Institutional Concerns back to topic list

MCC Testimony on Charitable Immunity Bills, Ed Saunders, Jr., 1-2010

MCC Testimony on Civil Statutes of Limitation Bill (Rep. Mariano), Ed Saunders, Jr., 6-2009

MCC Testimony on Charitable Immunity Proposals and Charitable Financial Reporting, Ed Saunders, Jr., 3-2008

MCC Testimony on Civil Statutes of Limitation Proposals, H.1592 and Other Proposals, Ed Saunders, Jr., 2-2008

Bishops' Joint Statement on Criminal Statutes of Limitation Proposals, 6-2006

MCC Testimony on Civil Statutes of Limitation Proposals, Ed Saunders, Jr., March & May, 2006

MCC Testimony on Charitable Immunity Proposals, Ed Saunders, Jr., 3-2006

MCC Testimony on Sen. Walsh "Church Control" Bill (includes various op eds) and Other Materials (includes link to "White Paper" on constitutionality of charitable reporting requirements as applied to churches), Ed Saunders, Jr., 2005-2006

Column on Catholics' Right to Speak Out on Public Policy Issues, Bp Dupre, Springfield, 5-2000

Legal Brief of Catholic Action League on Buffer Zone Bill, 12-1999

Testimony Against Buffer Zone Bill, MCC & Bp Reilly, Worcester, 4-1999

Gambling back to topic list

MCC Testimony Against Expanding Gambling to Predatory Levels, Ed Saunders, Jr., 10-2009

MCC Testimony Against Gambling Before Econ. Dev. Comm. & Consumer Prot. Comm., Ed Saunders, Jr., 3-2008

MCC Response to Gov. Patrick Announcement on Expanded Gambling, 9-2007

Bishops' Statement on Gambling, 10-2005

MCC Testimony on Gambling Legislation, 3-2003

Response to Proposal for Casino Gambling by Bishop O'Malley, Fall River, 8-2001

Bishops' Statement on Gambling, 4-1994

Column by Cardinal Law on Gambling, 4-1994

Bishops' Statement on Casino Gambling, 4-1981

Health Care back to topic list

Moral Dilemmas in the Biological Revolution, Bp Dupre, Springfield, 2-2001

Scientific Discoveries Must Be Examined in the Light of Faith, Bp Dupre, Springfield, 1-2001

Housing back to topic list

MCC Testimony on "Bringing Child Support Home", Ed Saunders, Jr., 9-2009

MCC and four diocesan Catholic Charities joins coalition opposing limits on homeless shelter access, see Overview, Coalition Letters (to Governor; to Legislature) and Boston Catholic Charities Testimony

Joint Statement of Archdiocesan Planning Office for Urban Affairs and MCC on Chapter 40B amendments, 5-2004

A New Paradigm for Housing in Boston, Northeastern Univ., 9-2000

Immigration back to topic list

MCC Testimony on Bill Concerning Illegal Immigration, Ed Saunders, Jr., 2-2008

Bishops' Statement Against Bilingual Education "English Immersion" Referendum Proposal, Nov. 2002

Poverty & Economic Concerns back to topic list

MCC Testimony on EAEDC Programs Concerning Housing & Cash Assistance, Ed Saunders, Jr., 9-2009

Pastoral Letter on the Economy, Bp McManus, Worcester, 10-2008

Bishops' Letter to Commissioner Kehoe on EAEDC Funds, 10-2008

Bishops' Letter to House and Senate Ways & Means Chairs on EAEDC Program, 5-2008

MCC Testimony In Support of Bill to Assist Low-Income Elders and Persons with Disabilities, Ed Saunders, Jr., 6-2007

Bishops' Statement on State Budget and Impact on Poor, 5-2003

MCC Testimony Opposing "Family Cap" Welfare Limits, 4-2001

Is Welfare Reform Working in Massachusetts?  Springfield Observer Editorial, 1-2001

"Children First:" A Report on Welfare Reform by Catholic Charities of Boston, 12-2000

Exchange of Letters on Effects of Welfare Reform Between Bishops, Gov. Cellucci, and Cardinal Law, 10-1998 to 3-1999

Testimony of Dr. Joseph Doolin, Catholic Charities of Boston on Welfare Reform, 4-1997

Testimony of Dr. Joseph Doolin, Catholic Charities of Boston on Welfare Reform, 11-1996

Testimony on behalf of MCC by Dr. Joseph Doolin, Catholic Charities of Boston on Welfare Bills of Gov. Weld, 10-1995

Statement of Cardinal Law on the Withholding of Welfare Benefits to Certain Children, 10-1995

Bishops' Letter to Governor Weld on Welfare Reform Legislation, 3-1995

Bishops' Statement on Welfare Reform, 7-1994

Bishops' Statement on Welfare Reform "We Are Responsible for One Another," 5-1994

Bishops' Open Letter to Legislative Leaders on Welfare Line-Items in FY1994 Budget, 7-1993

Bishops' Statement on Fiscal Crisis in Massachusetts, 4-1990

Bishops' Statement on Financial Crisis in the Commonwealth, 6-1989

Racial Justice back to topic list

Civil Rights:   Much Done, More to Accomplish, Bp Dupre, Springfield, 1-2001

Address to NAACP, Bp O'Malley, Fall River, 6-2000

Pastoral Letter on Racism, Bp O'Malley, Fall River, 1-2000