In preparing for the observation of Labor Day in the United States today, Sept. 4, Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued a statement calling for radical solidarity with working families.
The statement calls attention to the need for policy solutions that enable families to thrive, the power of community organizing to create positive change in the lives of families, and the role unions can and often do play to support healthy, thriving families. Archbishop Gudziak calls us all to action, writing that “each of us is called to follow the Lord and bring glad tidings to the poor. There is still urgent work needed to exercise radical solidarity with mothers, children, and families. Let us pray and act towards this end, always listening to the Lord who fulfills glad tidings in our hearing his word each day.”
The statement also notes the bishops’ support for states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for one year after birth, a priority of the Iowa Catholic Conference.
Bishops ask Supreme Court to uphold gun ban in domestic violence case
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued an amicus brief for the US v. Rahimi case, arguing for upholding a federal law preventing people under domestic restraining orders from carrying firearms. The brief notes that “Governments also have a corresponding duty to exhibit a special concern for the poor and vulnerable and to limit private rights when necessary to protect the common good … Regardless of how generally the principles of our tradition are construed in light of history, the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) is clear: uniquely dangerous individuals can lose their right to keep and bear arms.”
Tell the EEOC to leave abortion out of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has put out a proposed regulation that would require employers to accommodate employees who choose to get abortions, such as by giving them leave to obtain one. The proposal misinterprets the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which is a new law meant to help working mothers keep their job, if they wish, while protecting their health and that of their preborn children. The EEOC is now twisting that law to promote abortion instead, the exact opposite of pregnancy. But there is nothing fair about ending an innocent baby’s life, or about forcing employers to go along with it.
World Day of Prayer for care of creation
Last Friday, Sept. 1, the Catholic Church marked the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This day of prayer also marked the beginning of a month-long ecumenical awareness initiative known as the “Season of Creation,” which concludes on Oct. 4 with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. It has also been reported that Pope Francis intends to issue an update to Laudato Si on that day.
The theme chosen for this year’s Season of Creation is “Let Justice and Peace Flow,” and it calls on the faithful to reflect on the relationship between justice and creation.
Bishop Zinkula named archbishop-elect of Dubuque
In case you missed it, Bishop Thomas Zinkula of Davenport has been named by Pope Francis as archbishop-elect of Dubuque. He will be installed as archbishop on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Nativity Church in Dubuque.
A priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Bishop Zinkula has served as bishop of Davenport since 2017.
Archbishop-elect Zinkula reflected upon his appointment, saying, “Although I will be sad to leave the Diocese of Davenport in a couple of months, where the diocesan community taught me how to be a bishop and we walked together on our common faith journey, I am humbled and overjoyed to receive the appointment to return to my home diocese to serve as the eleventh archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.”
And finally,
We hope you’re having a great Labor Day!