May 28, 2024

Defending Religious Liberties at the Capitol

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned its 2024 regular session on Monday, May 20, at midnight. This session, shorter and with fewer bills passed than in 2023, posed significant challenges to religious freedom, affecting Catholics and all people of faith. In response, Catholics actively defended their faith and promoted the common good by engaging with legislators through the Catholic Advocacy Network, making thousands of communications to legislators via calls, letters, and emails.   (more…)

March 22, 2024

Progress in holding back physician-assisted suicide in Minnesota

Through a revitalized advocacy partnership with the Minnesota Catholic Conference, we are pleased to report a significant update on the physician-assisted suicide bill.  Among other issues, Jason Adkins highlights some of progress at the Capital in the MCC Legislative Update this week.
March 22, 2024

Faith Communities Unite Against Exclusion of Religious Protections

At a Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee meeting held on Monday, March 18, it became evident that certain Minnesota legislators not only disregard religious beliefs but are also intolerant of them. While you were sleeping, committee members rejected an amendment that would restore the religious exemption protections to the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) as it relates to gender identity.  None of the Senators who voted ‘no’ explained their vote. Despite the 1 AM hearing that limited public participation, religious groups including Catholics, Muslims, and Lutherans urged Senators to adopt the restoration of rights. Watch MCC’s Jason Adkins’s testimony to the committee.

 

March 19, 2024

Assumption Community, Cold Spring, transfer of membership to Benedictine completed

With song and prayer, Minnesota-based Benedictine welcomed Assumption Community, a senior living community in Cold Spring, Minn., to its family of senior living communities.

Father Tom Knoblach, vicar of clergy and health care ethics for the Diocese of St. Cloud, presided over the blessing and welcoming ceremony on March 5. As part of the ceremony, Benedictine President/CEO Jerry Carley honored the legacy of Assumption Community to the Cold Spring area and welcomed all on campus to Benedictine. (more…)

March 4, 2024

Urge Your State Legislator to Support Real Care at the End of Life, NOT Assisted Suicide

The Catholic Health Association working closely with the MN Catholic Conference are are encouraging the public to speak out against H.F. 1930/S.F. 1813 which will degrade the trusting relationship patients have with their providers.

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January 23, 2024

Support real care, oppose assisted suicide

Representative Tina Liebling, Chairwoman of the Health Finance and Policy Committee, has scheduled a hearing on physician-assisted suicide for Thursday, January 25 at 1 p.m. H.F. 1930S.F. 1813 is one of the most aggressive physician-assisted suicide bills in the country because it lacks meaningful safeguards for older adults and people with disabilities. Send a message to your legislature and share the action alert with your parish.
October 25, 2023

CHAMN Executive Director Opening

The Catholic Health Association of Minnesota (CHA-MN) is seeking a new Executive Director (posting).  The Executive Director (ED) is an advocate at the State Capitol and in the public square for Catholic healthcare provider institutions in Minnesota so that they can continue to deliver healthcare services consistent with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services promulgated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The ED provides resources to Catholic Health Association of Minnesota (CHA-MN) member institutions and their leaders to assist them in their responsibilities, and also serves as a liaison between members and the Catholic bishops of Minnesota.  The ED works at the direction of the CHA-MN board to implement its strategic initiatives in the core business areas of advocacy, member support, and Church relations.  This part-time contracted position provides opportunities and independence, as it operates under the direction of the CHA-MN Board of Directors.  For additional information, contact tpearson@chamn.org.  Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, three references and a short writing sample, preferably on a topic relevant to the position to applicants@chamn.org.  Application reviews and invitations for interviews will be made by the Board of Directors.  Complete applications will only be considered.  Interviews will begin in mid-November on a rolling basis.

 

February 17, 2023

Assisted-suicide bill introduced

As expected, a new assisted suicide bill (HF1930/SF1813) was introduced February 16th in the Minnesota Legislature. Upon initial review, it seems similar to the last iteration of the bill in 2021. We are in the process of taking an in-depth look at the legislation and will report back anything that is new.

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February 7, 2023

Over Catholic protests, Minnesota lawmakers pass right to abortion law, send to governor

In a party line vote, Democrats in the Minnesota Senate passed a bill 34-33 in the early morning hours of Jan. 28 to place a right to abortion for any reason and without a limit on viability into state law. The House approved the measure Jan. 19, and Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, is expected to sign the bill into law. (more…)

January 10, 2023

Action Alert: Contact Legislators

Join Minnesota’s Bishop is speaking out against the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act. Send your legislators a message urging them to vote NO on this bill that will enshrine abortion into MN law.  Visit Minnesota Catholic Conference for further instruction.