Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) is the official voice and representative of the Catholic Church in Ohio on public policy matters and issues affecting the Church and its citizens. The CCO acts as an advocate for Catholics, encouraging them to uphold the Church's beliefs and values. It provides monthly newsletters that summarise key legislation and action alerts. The Conference also compiles resources for Catholic parishes and schools to share during Catholic Schools Week, highlighting scholarships that make Catholic education more affordable. The CCO has supported various bills, including Senate Bill 159, which would authorise a tax credit for donations made to pregnancy resource centres, and Senate Bill 198, which would provide inmates with state identification upon their release.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official representative of the Catholic Church in Ohio | |
| Official voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on public policy | |
| Advocate for the Common Good | |
| Empower Catholics | |
| Share Church Teachings | |
| Promote the common good | Voting with a formed conscience |
| Support Senate Bills | Senate Bill 159, Senate Bill 198 |
| Support mothers, children, and families | |
| Support Catholic education | |
| Respect the dignity of life | |
| Respect for families | Families as the central social institution of society |
| Respect for the poor and vulnerable |
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What You'll Learn
Official voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio
The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) is the official voice and representative of the Catholic Church in public matters affecting the Church and the general welfare of Ohio's citizens. It is led by the Catholic Bishops of Ohio and acts as the official voice of the Catholic Church in the state. The CCO provides monthly newsletters that summarise key legislation and action alerts to empower Catholics to uphold the Church's beliefs and values.
The CCO engages with public policy and social issues, advocating for the common good and the empowerment of Catholics. It promotes Catholic teachings and values in the public sphere, addressing a range of topics such as education, social concerns, the environment, religious liberty, poverty, and healthcare.
The Conference actively participates in political processes, encouraging Catholics to engage with their local legislators and providing resources to help Catholics make informed decisions during election seasons. They have also testified in support of various Ohio bills, including Senate Bill 159, which would authorise a tax credit for donations made to pregnancy resource centres, and Senate Bill 198, which would provide inmates with state identification cards and documentation upon their release.
The CCO also addresses immigration, urging lawmakers to avoid scapegoating groups and instead focus on dialogue and the welcoming nature of Catholic parishes. Additionally, they emphasise the importance of Catholic healthcare in continuing Jesus' ministry of healing and safeguarding life, especially for the most vulnerable and defenseless.
Through these efforts, the Catholic Conference of Ohio strives to be the unified voice of the Catholic Church in the state, influencing public policy and social discourse while upholding the values and teachings of the Catholic faith.
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Advocate for the common good
The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) is the official representative and voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on matters of public policy and issues affecting the Church and its citizens. As such, the CCO acts as an advocate for the common good, promoting Catholic values and beliefs in the public sphere.
One of the key ways the CCO advocates for the common good is through political engagement and advocacy. The CCO encourages Catholics to be active participants in public life and to vote with a formed conscience. They provide resources and information to help Catholics uphold the Church's teachings and values. For example, during election seasons, the CCO may recommend reading materials such as "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" to guide Catholics in their political choices.
The CCO also engages directly with lawmakers and elected officials to influence policy and legislation. For instance, the CCO has testified in support of Senate bills that align with Catholic values, such as Senate Bill 159, which authorizes tax credits for donations to pregnancy resource centers, and Senate Bill 198, which provides inmates with state identification and documentation upon their release. By engaging with politics and policy, the CCO ensures that Catholic values are considered and represented in the legislative process.
Additionally, the CCO works closely with Catholic parishes, schools, and dioceses to promote Catholic education and social teachings. They provide resources and organize events like Catholic Schools Week to highlight the importance of affordable Catholic education. The CCO also emphasizes the Church's commitment to social justice issues, including supporting mothers, children, and families, respecting the dignity of life, and addressing poverty, homelessness, immigration reform, and protection of children.
Through these efforts, the Catholic Conference of Ohio strives to uphold the principles and values of the Catholic faith, seeking to create a society that reflects these ideals and promotes the common good for all citizens.
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Empowering Catholics
The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) is the official representative and voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on public policy matters and issues affecting the Church and the general welfare of Ohio citizens.
The CCO empowers Catholics by providing them with the resources and knowledge to uphold the Church's beliefs and values. This includes sharing Church teachings, advocating for the common good, and encouraging Catholics to take an active part in public life.
One way the CCO does this is by providing monthly newsletters that summarize key legislation and action alerts. The CCO also compiles and shares resources during Catholic Schools Week to highlight EdChoice scholarships that make Catholic education more affordable. Additionally, the CCO challenges Catholics to read documents such as "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" to prepare for elections and promote informed voting with a formed conscience.
The CCO also brings together Catholics from across Ohio to meet with elected officials and advocate for policies that align with Catholic values. This includes issues related to supporting mothers, children, and families, Catholic education, respecting the dignity of life, and social concerns such as education, the environment, economic justice, religious liberty, and protection of children.
Through these efforts, the CCO empowers Catholics in Ohio to have a stronger voice in public policy matters and to actively promote and uphold the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
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Supporting mothers, children, and families
The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) is the official voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on public policy matters. It acts as a representative of the Church in matters of public welfare, including education, social concerns, the environment, death penalty, pro-life issues, economic justice, racism, religious liberty, poverty, homelessness, peace, immigration reform, gun violence, health care, euthanasia, and the protection of children.
In line with its mission, the CCO has supported policies that directly benefit mothers, children, and families. For instance, the CCO testified in support of Senate Bill 159, which would provide tax credits for donations made to pregnancy resource centers. Similarly, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio issued a signed statement urging lawmakers to include the child tax credit proposed in the Executive Budget. The CCO also supports Catholic education, advocating for policies that make Catholic schools more affordable and accessible.
The CCO encourages Catholics in Ohio to actively participate in public life and promote the common good. This includes engaging with elected officials and advocating for policies that align with Catholic values, such as respecting life, focusing on the poor and vulnerable, and recognizing families as the central social institution. To facilitate this, the CCO organizes events like Catholics at the Capitol, where Catholics from across Ohio can meet with legislators and discuss issues that matter to them, including support for mothers, children, and families.
Additionally, the CCO provides resources and monthly newsletters to keep Catholics informed about key legislation and empowered to uphold the Church's beliefs and values. Through these efforts, the CCO strives to support and strengthen families, ensuring that they have the resources and support they need to thrive.
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Catholic education
The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) is the official voice and representative of the Catholic Church in Ohio on public policy matters and issues affecting the Church and its citizens. The CCO provides monthly newsletters that summarise key legislation and action alerts to empower Catholics to uphold the Church's beliefs and values.
In addition to Catholic education, the CCO is also involved in various other social and political issues. For example, it has testified in support of Senate bills that would provide tax credits for donations made to pregnancy resource centres and help inmates obtain state identification cards and documentation upon their release. The CCO also advocates for policies that support mothers, children, and families, respect the dignity of life, and address issues such as poverty, homelessness, immigration reform, and gun violence.
The CCO also collaborates with other Catholic organisations, such as the Steubenville Conferences, which aim to create sacred spaces for adults and teens to experience the love of Jesus Christ and declutter their lives to make space for His love. Through various initiatives, the CCO works to strengthen the Catholic community in Ohio and ensure that Catholic values are represented in public policy.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ohio Catholic Conference (OCC) acts as the official voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on matters of public policy.
The OCC provides monthly newsletters that summarise key legislation and action alerts to empower Catholics to uphold the Church's beliefs and values.
The OCC advocates for policies that respect life, focus on the poor and vulnerable, and recognise families as the central social institution of society.
The OCC communicates with its members through monthly newsletters, social media, and its website.
