Iowa Catholic Conference Newsletter, Nov. 24, 2025

ICC board approves legislative concerns for 2026

The board of the Iowa Catholic Conference met recently and approved its list of legislative principles and concerns for 2026. Among the topics of discussions with legislators this fall have been maintaining access to SNAP and Medicaid to those in need, black market abortion pill regulation, preschool funding, conscience rights for medical professionals, and advocating for just treatment of immigrants and refugees.

U.S. bishops issue special message on immigration

As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, the bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. It marked the first time in twelve years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops. The last one issued in 2013 was in response to the federal government’s contraceptive mandate.

The bishops said, in part: “Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict … We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement.”

Pope Leo XIV also commented on the U.S. bishops’ statement, inviting “all Catholics - and also people of good will - to listen carefully to what they have said. I believe we must seek ways of treating people with humanity, with the dignity that is theirs.”

And finally,

Have a great Thanksgiving!