Catholic Charities Diocesien Social Action

The Diocesan Social Action through the 5 Catholic Commissions working within the eight counties of the Diocese of Cleveland seeks to shape a more caring society and a more peaceful world through justice education, advocacy, community development and organizing. Our work is based on the call of the Gospel to work for the respect and dignity of all human life, the elimination of poverty, to speak out against injustice, and to promote the common good.

Readings and Psalms for this Month

Highlights…

Pope Benedict XVI issues new encyclical, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth):

Read the Encyclical

Special Alert!!

Please Advocate for Full Medicaid Expansion!

Call or write your members of the General Assembly

See Catholic Conference of Ohio Action Alert

See letters to Governor and members of General Assembly

Read Here

Find Special Events for your County

Cuyahoga	Summit
Lake/Geauga	Wayne/Ashland/Medina
Lorain	Council on Global Solidarity
Campaign for Human Development

First Friday Club Speakers Page

New Updated Speakers Resources

Hydraulic Fracturing

Society’s concern for the environment requires that we Catholics examine our own stewardship of God’s creation and our responsibility to those after us. Echoing numerous appeals from the Holy See and U.S. Catholic bishops in this regard, we have a need to take seriously the need to educate and raise questions about new methods of drilling in Northeast Ohio which have the promise of developing jobs, but also have the prospect of damaging the environment for future generations. Read more…

In 2004, the State of Ohio became responsible for regulating oil and gas wells. For more information regarding oil and gas drilling, please visit:

Ohio Dept of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management

State Regulations are part of new energy bill: SB. 315

Other Resources:

Ohio State University Extension-Fairfield County

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

FracFocus (provides public access to reported chemical used for hydraulic fracturing)

New York Times (drilling down series)

Ohio Environmental Council: What Is Horizontal Fracking?

Pro:

Ohio Oil and Gas Association

Ohio Hydraulic Fracturing State Review, January, 2011

Con:

NEOGAP | Network for Oil & Gas Accountability & Protection

Network to Educate and Organize for Gas Accountability and Protection

Theological Reflection:

Questions for Reflection

Theological Context

Land Use Principles

Ten Commandments for the Environment

Action Needed on Important Issues

HHS Rule Opposed: Violates Rights of Conscience & Religious Freedom

U.S. Bishops sharply criticize the decision by the Obama administration in which it “ordered almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans.”...MORE

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Video message on this issue.

USCCB concerns regarding the HHS rule related to mandated insurance for contraceptive services

Catholic Relief Services' statement on HHS rule:

Catholic Charities USA's statement on HHS rule:

Catholic Health Association statement on HHS rule

USCCB fact sheet on HHS rule:

Call for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty

Ohio death row prisoner exonerated

Joe D’Ambrosio was wrongfully convicted of the 1989 murder of Anthony Klann in Cleveland. Cuyahoga County prosecutors withheld 10 pieces of evidence that would have exonerated D’Ambrosio at his trial and implicated another suspect in the crime...MORE

Capital Punishment

HB 160 introduced by Representatives Celeste (D) and Antonio (D), would abolish Ohio's death penalty. Other cosponsors include: Representatives Blair (R), Hagan, R. (D), Murray (D), Lundy (D), Foley (D), Garland (D), Ramos (D), Yuko (D), Heard (D), Letson (D), Boose (R), Williams (D)

Catholic Conference of Ohio press statement in support of HB 160

Catholic Bishops of Ohio 2011 Statement on the Death Penalty

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY MATERIALS 2012-13

Catholic Conference of Ohio Informational page on legislation protecting unborn life

Catholic Conference of Ohio Informational page on the state budget

Catholic Conference of Ohio Informational page on legislation related to Catholic education

Catholic Conference of Ohio Informational materials regarding Catholic health care

Current Issues

Ohio Here to Help

This Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Resource helps Ohio's unemployed workers learn more about the programs and resources available to them, from both the government and the private sector.

OhioHeretoHelp.oh.gov

How to Get Help in Hard Times

Cleveland Catholic Charities has an Employment and Training Office

Call 216-426-9870 for more information

Health Care Reform
Ohio High Risk Health Insurance Pool

Enrollment for Ohio’s high risk pool started on August 1st. The federal health care reform law called for the creation of temporary health insurance programs for individuals with pre-existing conditions. These high risk pools will last until 2014, when full federal reforms take effect. Ohio has designated Medical Mutual of Ohio as the entity to administer the program.

Applications are available at Ohio Risk Pool or by phone at 1-877-730-1117. Hard copy application packets will also be available at the One-Stop and Benefit Bank sites throughout the state.

Medical Mutual will offer plans with deductibles of $1,500 or $2,500. Coverage summaries and rate sheets for both plans, along with additional information about the program, are also available Ohio Risk Pool

Ohio is expected to receive approximately $152 million to operate this high risk pool until 2014. It is estimated that this will provide funding to cover approximately 5,500 individuals, while about five times that many are eligible. For this reason, applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

Read more on health care reform...

Immigration
The bishops have called for a renewed dialogue and action on comprehensive immigration reform. Find the latest statements and action alerts at the Justice for Immigrants website, www.justiceforimmigrants.org

Death Penalty

Society has a duty to defend life against violence and to reach out to victims of crime. Yet our nation’s increasing reliance on the death penalty cannot be justified. Because we have other ways to protect society that are more respectful of human life, the Catholic church supports efforts to end the use of the death penalty and, in the meantime, to restrain its use through broader use of DNA evidence, access to effective counsel, and efforts to address unfairness and injustice related to application of the death penalty.