Public Policy & Legislative Action
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Public Policy & Legislative Action

We interact with the community at large in efforts that are based on Catholic Social Teaching, and are committed to empowering Catholics to put their faith in action – in their homes, in their communities, and in the public square.

“Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.”
Matthew 5:15-16
 

Faith in Action!

Our purpose is to help transform society in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are specifically committed to empowering Catholics to put their faith in action – in their homes, in their communities, and in the public square. Our focus is on education for both Catholics and non-Catholics on the Church’s position on issues ranging from social justice, religious liberty, and the dignity of the human person.

Staff members interact with the community at large in efforts that are based on Catholic Social Teaching. Whenever possible, an ecumenical and interfaith perspective is sought. Efforts may include:

  • Advocacy issues (e.g., healthcare, transitional jobs, immigration reform) Click here for Current Issues & Action Alerts
  • Community organizations that empower their neighborhoods
  • Community presentations & Guest Speakers (e.g., Catholic Social Teaching, Faithful Citizenship, Poverty Simulation Activity, etc.)
  • Food pantries, homeless shelters
  • Global solidarity
  • Healthcare
  • Human Concerns & Social Justice Parish Committees
  • Immigration reform
  • Violence prevention

We coordinate our efforts with the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and other local, state, national and international advocacy organizations. Every two years the Wisconsin Catholic Conference sponsors a day of education and advocacy for all Catholics followed by an opportunity to meet with legislators.

 

The links that follow will take you to the State of Wisconsin Elections Commission "My Vote Wisconsin" website.

Register to Vote in Wisconsin

Find My Polling Place

What's on My Ballot

Vote Absentee

“The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society… is proper to the lay faithful.
As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life.”

Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est 29
 


Get Involved in Current Issues with Voices for Justice

Voices for Justice is an archdiocesan legislative network that is grounded in Catholic social teaching and works to put children and families first in public policy at the state and federal level. Members participate in annual issues briefings, training in legislative skills, action alerts during legislative sessions, opportunities to visit with legislators and government leaders, leadership development for network liaisons, and opportunities for grounding our legislative actions in spiritual and theological reflections.


Faithful Citizenship

The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.

"Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States", provides a framework for Catholics in the United States.


Serving Others in God's Love

Catholics across the United States are encouraged to pray and act in support of religious liberty at home and abroad during Serving Others in God's Love: Religious Freedom Week 2018, which begins on June 22, the Feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, and ends on June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, states: "Religious freedom allows the space for people of faith to serve others in God's love in ministries like education, adoption and foster care, health care, and migration and refugee services. We encourage people of faith to reflect on the importance of religious freedom so that we might have the space to carry out our mission of service and mercy, and we invite everyone to pray for our brothers and sisters who face intense persecution in other parts of the world."


Religious Freedom

Religious freedom is our first American freedom. It is a founding principle of our country, protected by the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. It’s a fundamental human right, rooted in the dignity of every human person — people of any faith or no faith at all. It’s not a Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox, Mormon or Muslim issue — it’s an American issue, a civil rights issue.

 

Contact


Susan McNeil, M.Div
Director, Department for Catholic Social Responsibility

414-758-2214

mcneils@archmil.org

 

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The Archdiocese of Milwaukee

3501 South Lake Drive
St. Francis, WI 53235

Phone:  (414) 769-3300
Toll-Free: (800) 769-9373
Fax:  (414)  769-3408