"...A Time to Stand Up"

I've posted this before:

• Religious freedom is vital
  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2104-2109)
  • For everybody
    (Catechism, 2106)

Religious Freedom and the Catholic Church

Here's what Catholic leaders in America said recently:

"DC religious freedom event stresses role of liberty in America"
Michelle Bauman, CNA/EWTN News (June 25, 2012)

"...Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C. observed that 'the history of the United States is the story of the struggle for religious freedom.'...

"...The bishops have voiced concerns over growing threats to religious liberty both at home and overseas. Chief among these threats is a federal mandate that will require employers to offer health insurance plans that cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs, even if doing so violates their consciences...."

I'm concerned, too. I take my faith seriously. It's not something I do for an hour on Sunday. My faith includes acting as if God matters: seven days a week.

I also believe that all human beings are people, and that murder is wrong: even when it's legal. (Catechism, 2259-2262, 2268-2270)

People Protesting: This is Good

An open letter of protest, published earlier this year, was signed by a few hundred Catholic leaders (priests, religious, and laypeople). There's a list of their names at the end of this post.¹ I linked to a copy of the letter in April:

• "Support access to health care?
  Protect conscience rights."
  Open letter, "Catholic Organizations Respond to HHS 'Preventive Services' Mandate"
  (from www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/upload/Full_List_Webpage_CURRENT.pdf (April 20, 2012))

I see that sort of informed, calm, protest as a good idea. Maybe it's a bit late coming: but I'm happy to see Catholic leaders supporting sound ethics.

Maybe, after the November election, we'll have more politicos with ethical standards. Stranger things have happened.

Religious Freedom: It's Important

"...Bishops from every diocese in the U.S. have joined individuals and organizations from a wide variety of religious backgrounds in protesting the mandate for infringing on the religious freedom of those who object to it....

"...'The greatest gift that humanity has received is the Son of God, Jesus Christ,' he [Cardinal Wuerl] explained, and it is in Church - the 'living witness' - that we embrace Christ today....
(Michelle Bauman, CNA/EWTN News )

What the Cardinal said is explicitly Christian: understandably, since he's a Cardinal, addressing about a thousand fellow-Catholics.

I also think it's prudent to remember that we're not the only folks who have noticed that something's gone horribly wrong in America:

• "Muslim, Christian, Jewish leaders sign joint letter against HHS mandate"
  Catholic News Service (June 25, 2012)

A Time for Both

"...'There's a time to be on one's knees,' he [Cardinal Wuerl] said, observing that his remarks would be followed by Benediction and all would kneel to acknowledge the 'presence of our Lord.'

"However, he added, there is 'also a time to stand up.'

" 'Today, we are reminded as we look back over our history and we look at our freedoms, that there are some things worth standing for,' the cardinal said. 'And religious liberty is one of them.' "
(Michelle Bauman, CNA/EWTN News )

I think now is a good time to stand up.

Acres of Screed?

The November election coming up. I'm not looking forward to what probably will be several months of emotion-drenched articles and posts: the gist of which is 'I'm right, and anyone who disagrees is icky.'

Aside from being unpleasant to read, that sort of screed is unlikely to convince folks who are not as emotionally whipped up. It's more likely, I think, to confirm negative stereotypes being flung by opposing views.

Speak Out: And Make Sense

Folks who prefer life to death have facts on our side. But we need to use our brains, and sort out facts from 'I heard some guy say he heard' assertions, rumors, and outright fantasies.

I try to be careful about checking my facts, posted about this before, and put links under "Credibility," below.

Related posts:

• Religious Freedom
  • "Decisions: Ethical, and Political"
    (June 26, 2012)
    Particularly
    • God, Love, and Weaseling
    • Freedom Means Freedom: For Everybody
    • "I was Only Following Orders?"
  • "Freedom to Act Like God Matters"
    (June 23, 2012)
  • "John Fisher, Thomas More, and the Big Picture"
    (June 22, 2012)
  • "Supporting Freedom, and Other Subversive Activity"
    (June 22, 2012)
    Particularly
    • "The Faith Community" - But Whose?
    • Knights of Columbus Partisan? Yes and No
    • School Bus Firebombed? Ignore it, They're Catholic
  • "Decide: Life, or Death"
    (June 21, 2012)
• Credibility
  • "Father Beheads Daughter, Singer Killed: Opine, But Check Your Facts!"
    (June 19, 2012)
  • " 'A Consistent Ethic of Life,' Reality Checks About Religion, and a New Widget"
    (April 27, 2012)
    Particularly
    • Death Penalty, a Consistent Ethic of Life, and Connecticut
      • Mistakes, Executions, and the Super Bowl
      • Justice, Real and Imagined
    • Fundamentalist? Conservative? No, I'm Catholic
    • "To Proclaim Christ to the World"
    • What Folks Know, That Just Ain't So
      • Ignorance and Adequate Reporting
      • "Unnamed 'Church Leaders' "
      • "Vast Oversimplification"
  • "Catholics, Credulity, and Credibility"
    (February 12, 2012)
  • "Lie and Hype for a Good Cause?!"
    (November 28, 2011)
  • "Cultural Chaos, Divisiveness, and CNN"
    (April 1, 2010)

---

¹ list of people signing on with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in opposition to the American government's violation of religious liberty. (As of January 26, 2012)

Jason Adkins
Executive Director
Minnesota Catholic Conference

Karl P. Adler, MD
Archbishop's Delegate for Health Care
Archdiocese of New York

Louis J. Agnese, Jr, PhD
President
University of the Incarnate Word

Robert B. Aguirre
President
Catholic Association
of Latino Leaders

Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, VG
National President
Slovak Catholic Federation

Aaron K. Alton
President/CEO
SMP Health Care System

Carl A. Anderson
Supreme Knight
Knights of Columbus

Tony Aretz, PhD
President
College of Mount St. Joseph

Debbie Armstrong
Principal
St. Jude School

Rick Arnold
State Deputy
Knights of Columbus

Kay & Lonnie Arrington
Section Representatives
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Mercedes Arzu Wilson
President/Founder
Family of the Americas Foundation

Jodi Atkinson
President/CEO
St. Andrews Health Center

Rev. Thomas Au
Superintendent
St. John the Baptist School

Howard Avril
Principal
St. Helen School

Sr. Marjorie Ann Baez, DC
Chairman of the Board, Visiatrix
Daughters of Charity Health System

Andy Bagnall
President/CEO
St. Nicholas Hospital

Msgr. Liam Barr
Superintendent
St. Joseph School

Sr. Ann Bartko, OSC
Abbess
Poor Clares

Shelly Bauer
Principal
New Ulm Area Catholic Schools

Rev. William Beauchamp,
CSC
President
University of Portland

Rev. Michael Becker
Rector
St. John Vianney College Seminary

Shawn Bender, FCCP
Co-Director
Holy Family Center for Life

Larry Bernhardt
Executive Director
Catholic Charities North Dakota

John Bertini
Chairman of Board of Directors
St. Joseph Medical Center

Rev. James W. Bessert
Diocesan Chaplain
Knights of Columbus

F. DeKarlos Blackmon, OblSB
Supreme Knight/CEO
Knights of Peter Claver

Bill Blanke, MD
Family Physician and NFP Medical Consultant
Integrity Family Physicians

Steven E. Bogus
Executive Director
Catholic Charities of Louisville, Inc.

Sr. Linda Marie Bolinski, SSCM
General Superior
Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Kol Bonna
President
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Rev. Kenneth Borowiak
Superintendent
St. Michael School

Br. Francis Boylan, CSC
Executive Director
Holy Cross Children's Services

William Brazier
Executive Director
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul - Detroit Council

Steve Bresnahan
Executive Director
Catholic Charities - Diocese of St. Cloud

Rev. Gary Brethour
Superintendent
St. Patrick School

Joe Brettnacher
Principal
Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School

Sr. Helen Jean Brinkman, FSE
Local Superior
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist

Rev. Thomas Brouillette
Superintendent
St. Cecilia Junior and High School, St. Michael School

Lee Boyles
Adminstrator
Oakes Community Hospital

Sr. Joanna Buckley, ISSM
Provincial Superior
Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary

Sr. Therese Buckley, ISSM
Principal
John Ireland Catholic School

Mother Mary of the Angels Bunty, SR
Superior
Sisters of Reparation of the Sacred Wounds of Jesus

Timothy N. Burchill
President/CEO
Ave Maria Village

Rev. Msgr. Paul J.E. Burkard
Pastor
Our Lady of Victory Shrine

Very Rev. John Byrnes, JCL
Trustee
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Davide M. Carbone, FACHE
CEO
St. Mary’s Medical Center

Mother M. Jennifer Carroll
Superior General
Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception

William Carroll, PhD
President
Benedictine University

Christiane Chagnon
International Regent
Daughters of Isabella

Tom Chapman
Executive Director
Iowa Catholic Conference

Sr. Donna Marie Chartraw, OSB
Prioress
Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel

Arturo Chavez, PhD
President/CEO
Mexican American Catholic College

Rev. Michael Christensen
Superintendent
St. Peter School

Craig Christianson
President/CEO
Sheyenne Care Center

Joe Cieply
National Director Men's Section Support
Local Coordinator of Apostolate - Ohio Valley Region Regnum Christi

Roxie Cieply
Women's Section Leader
Regnum Christi

Dr. Paul Cieslak
President
Portland Guild of Catholic Medical Association

Richard Clements
President
Serra Club

Joan Coffman
President/CEO
St. Joseph’s Hospital

Ray Cole
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 4842

Rev. Gerald D. Coleman, SS
Vice President, Corporate Ethics
Daughters of Charity Health System

Teresa S. Collett
Professor of Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law
Director, Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas (MN)

Sr. Therese Collison, SSND
Principal
John Ireland Catholic School

Tom Conklin
Executive Director
Catholic Family Services - Saginaw

Michael D. Connelly
President/CEO
Catholic Health Partners

Joe Connolly
President
Saint Albert Catholic School

Rev. Brian Connor
Superintendent
North American Martyrs School

Lisa Cook, FCCP
Co-Director
Holy Family Center for Life

Dr. Michael Coury
President
Pope John Paul II High School

Mother M. Regina Pacis Coury, FSGM
Provincial Superior
Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George

Sr. Mary Christine Cremin
Superior
Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma - Knoxville Community

Robert E. Crotty, Esq
President
The Guild of Catholic Lawyers of the Archdiocese of New York

William J. Cox
President/CEO
Alliance of Catholic Health Care

Rev. Mark T. Cregan, CSC
President
Stonehill College

Christopher Dadlez
President/CEO
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center

John Damiani, DO
President
Christus Medicus Foundation

Bruce Davidson
President/CEO
Rosewood on Broadway

Barbara Q. Decker
President
Mercy College of Health Sciences

Dr. Jerry Deegan
President
Dowling Catholic High School

Faye Deich
Interim President/CEO
Sacred Heart Hospital

Rev. Patrick D. Delahanty
Executive Director
Catholic Conference of Kentucky

Gordon C. DeMarais
Founder & Executive Director
Saint Paul's Outreach

Rev. Douglas Dietrich
Superintendent
St. Mary School

Rev. Domenico DiRaimondo, MSPS
Provincial Superior
Missionaries of the Holy Spirit

Mariann Doeling, RN
Administrator
Carrington Health Center

Sr. Jacquelyn Doepker, OSF
Community Minister
Sisters of Saint Francis

Kathleen Donnellan
Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio

Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, SV
Superior General
Sisters of Life

Sr. Dianne Doughty, OSC
Abbess
Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns

Donald Drake
Lieutenant, Northern Lieutenancy
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

David Dries, MD
Assistant Medical Director, Professor of Surgery & Anesthesiology
HealthPartners Medical Group

Rev. Peter J. Drilling, ThD
President/Rector
Christ the King Seminary

Abbot Gregory Duerr, OSB
Abbot
Benedictine Monks

Sr. Karin Dufault, SP
Provincial Superior
Sisters of Providence

Rev. Thomas Dunavan
Superintendent
St. Andrew School

Sr. Diana Lynn Eckel, OSF
Congregational Minister
Sisters of St. Francis of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes

Pauline Economon, RN, MSN
Executive Director
FirstChoice Clinic

Sue Ek
Executive Director
Billings Ovulation Method Association - USA

James F. Ennis
Executive Director
National Catholic Rural Life
Conference

Robert Erickson
President/CEO
St. Francis Health Center

Marianne Evans Mount,
PhD
President
Catholic Distance University

Amy Falk
Executive Director
Caritas Clinics, Inc.

Dr. Angela Farmer
Director
St. Mary School System
Diocese of Owensboro

Nancy Farnham
CEO
Maryhill Manor

Lawrence M. Fehrenbach
President
Catholic Kolping Society Cincinnati

Pietro Ferrari
Executive Director
Catholic Charities

Dr. Joseph Finley, Jr.
Principal
St. Mark School

Ambassador Raymond Flynn
Former Mayor of Boston

Thomas Flynn, PhD
President
Alvernia University

Scott Foss
Administrator
Benedictine Living Center of Garrison

Matthew Fox
President/CEO
Alexian Village of Tennessee

Sr. Donna Franklin, DC
Diocesan Director
Catholic Charities

Jon Frantsvog
Administrator/CEO
St. Benedict’s Health Center & Benedict Court

Rev. Al Fritsch, SJ
Director
Earth Healing Inc.

Tim Fuetsch
Principal
Our Lady of the Snows School

Rose Fuller
Executive Director
Northwest Family Services

Karen Gabbert
Administrator
St. Gerard’s Community Nursing Home

Br. James Gaffney
President
Lewis University

Michael Galligan-Stierle, PhD
President /CEO
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

Mary Gangelhoff
Principal
St. Mary Elementary School

Sr. Marcella Marie Garus,
CSSF
President
Villa Maria College

John Garvey, JD
President
The Catholic University
of America

Robert Genelin
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 1509

Michael Gerard
Principal
St. Thomas Catholic School

Sheila Gilbert
President
National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon
Learned Hand Professor of Law
Harvard University

Larry Glugosh
Supreme President
Slovak Catholic Sokol

Christopher Godfrey, JD
President
Life Athletes, Inc.

Sheila Gomez
Executive Director
Catholic Charities - Palm Beach

Rev. Christopher Goodwin
Superintendent
St. John Nepomucene

Sr. Andrea Marie Graham, OP
Superior
Oak Ridge Dominican Community

John Grahm
President/CEO
St. Mary’s of Michigan

Sr. Maria Fidelis Gray, OP
Principal
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School

Sr. Kathy Green, RSM
President
Sisters of Mercy

Eric A. Gregory
President
St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Richmond

Rev. Loras Grell
Superintendent
Sacred Heart School

Steve Grinnell
CEO
Lourdes Hospital

Ken Groya
Director
Catholic Cemeteries

Dr. Ray Gruby
President
Bismarck Catholic Physicians Guild

John M. Haas, PhD, STL
President
National Catholic Bioethics Center

Lee Hall
President
Legatus, Lexington Chapter

Sr. Maureen Hall
Community Director
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas

Ken Hackett
President
Catholic Relief Services

Rose Anne Hallgren
President
Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women

Tony C. Hanson
Administrator/CEO
Prince of Peace Care Center

Sr. Kristine Harpenau, OSB
Prioress
Sisters of St. Benedict

Jack Harris
Faithful Navigator
Knights of Columbus Assembly 612

Rev. Matthew Hartley
Administrator
St. Peter Catholic Parish

Stephen Hasenohrl
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 1489

Steven Hauer
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 1841

Kenneth Heinen
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 13529

Robert C. Helmer, JD, PhD
President
Lourdes University

David A. Helmstetter
State Deputy
Ohio Knights of Columbus

The Very Rev. Larry J. Hemmelgarn, CPPS
Provincial Director
Missionaries of the Precious Blood

Jan R. Hemstad, MD
President
Catholic Medical Association

Sr. Charlene Herinckx, SSMO
Superior General
Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon

Cheryl A. Hettman, PhD, RN
President
National Association of Catholic Nurses

Keith E. Heuser, FACHE, CNHA, FACHCA
Administrator
Mercy Hospital of Valley City

Rev. Richard Hockman, CSC
Local Superior
The United States Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross

Christine Hoehn
Director Newman Ministry
University of Southern Indiana

J.R. Hoffman, MD
Family Physician and NFP Medical Consultant
Jasper Family Physicians

Barb Honeycutt
Superintendent
Rapid City Catholic School System

Rev. Larry Hostetter
President
Brescia University

Richard Houck
President
Catholic Defense League

Andrew Houvouras
Principal
St. Clare School

Br. John Howard, CFA
Community Director
Community of Alexian Brothers

David Huber
President
Catholic Order of Foresters

John J. Hurley
President
Canisius College

Paul B. Hurley, Jr., PhD
President
Trocaire College

William D. Huston
President
St. Catharine College

Robert Issai
President/CEO
Daughters of Charity Health System

Mary Pat Jahner
Director
St. Gianna’s Maternity Home

Evan W. James
Student Officer
University of Minnesota Medical School - Catholic Medical Association Student Group

Tammy A. Jangula
Administrator
Manor St. Joseph

Rev. John Jenkins, CSC
President
University of Notre Dame

Jerome Jensen
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus St. Francis Council

Mary Ann S. Johanek
National President
First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association

Rev. Lyle Johnson
Superintendent
St. John School

Patty Johnson
President
National Council of Catholic Women

Vince Johnson
President
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul - Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

Walter S. Johnson, MD
President
Fargo Guild of the Catholic Medical Association

Jean Johnstone
Executive Director
Catholic Charities - Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

Michael P. Jones
Vice President, General Manager
Ave Maria Radio

Dr. James Joyce
President
New Ulm Guild of the Catholic Medical Association

Rev. Brian Kane
Superintendent
Bishop Neumann Jr/ Sr High School

Kevin Kast
President/CEO
St. Mary’s Hospital

Rev. Fausto Kauerenge
Chaplain
Memorial Health Care System

J. Patrick Kearns
President
Legatus Northern Virginia Chapter

Jerome Kearns
Executive Director
Our Sunday Visitor Institute

Tom Keaveny
Director
Catholic Charities - Diocese of New Ulm

Del Keller
President
Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women

Peter Kilpatrick
Dean
College of Engineering, University of Notre Dame

James Kinyon
Executive Director
Catholic Social Services -
Rapid City

William Kirsch, MD, PC
Trustee
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School

Sr. Jane Marie Klein, OSF
Chairperson of the Board
Franciscan Alliance, Inc.

Mark Klosterman
President/CEO
St. Joseph’s Hospital

Theresa Kluchinski
National President
Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union

Sr. Evelyn Korenek, IWBS
General Superior
Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament

Al Kresta
Chairman, President/CEO
Ave Maria Radio

Sr. Elise Kriss, OSF
President
University of Saint Francis

Sr. Rose Marie Kujawa
President/CEO
Madonna University

Leslie Kuhlman
Executive Director
Ruah Woods/Theology of the Body Center

Alvin Kulcak
Diocesan Deputy - Victoria
Knights of Columbus

Sr. Carol Jean Kuntz, SMP
Provincial
Sisters of Mary of the Presentation

Linda Lambert
President
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

Steven LaNasa
President
Donnelly College

John Lane, MD
President
Catholic Medical Association - Winona

Rev. Randall Langhorst
Superintendent
St. Vincent de Paul School

Craig Larson
Minnesota State Deputy
Knights of Columbus

Rev. Patrick Lee, SJ
Provincial
Oregon Province of Jesuits

Sr. Joyce Lehman, CPPS
President
Sisters of the Precious Blood

Rev. Joseph Levesque,
CM, STD, LHD
President Niagara University

Jan Lewis
President/CEO
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

Paule Anne Lewis
President
San José Clinic

Sr. Carol Lichtenberg, SNDdeN
Provincial Moderator
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Ohio Province

James G. Lindsay
Executive Director
Catholic Volunteer Network

John P. Loes, MD
Medical Director
Anoka Area Family Medicine Clinic

Carl Loesch
Principal
Marian High School

Robert J. Looby
Managing Partner
Looby Baumgarten, PC

Rev. Jan Lundberg, OCD
Superior
Carmelite House of Studies

Joseph Lundberg, OCD
President
Knights of Columbus Seminarian Education Endowment Fund

Rev. Thomas Lux
Superintendent
All Saints School

Michael A. MacDowell
President
Misericordia University

Rev. Canon Thomas C. Machalski
Rector/Chancellor
Saints Cyril & Methodius Seminary

Rev. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM
President
Mount Saint Mary College

Mary Maertens
Regional President
Avera Marshall

Rev. Steven Major
Superintendent
St. Joseph School

Michael D. Manhart, PhD
Executive Director
Couple to Couple League International

Curtis Martin
President
FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)

Sr. Maureen Martin
Provincial
Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Very Rev. Phil Massetti, OSJ
Provincial Superior
Oblates of St. Joseph

Jean Masterson, CSJ
Congregation Leadership Team
Congregation of St. Joseph

Tessa Martinez Pollack, PhD
President
Our Lady of the Lake University

James May
President/CEO
Mercy Health

John May
CEO/Administrator
Villa St. Francis

Thomas McAneny
Trustee
Bishop McCort Catholic High School

John McCabe
Administrator
CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital

Rev. Michael McCabe
Superintendent
Lourdes Central Catholic Schools (K-12)

Sr. Mary McCarrick, OSF
Diocesan Director
Catholic Charities

Joseph McDonald
President/CEO
Catholic Health System

Ms. Dorothea A. McElduff
Archdiocesan President- Ladies of Charity

Mother Mary McGreevy, RSM
Superior General
Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma

James McNeany
Principal
All Saints School

Jeremy McNeil
President
Catholic Professional & Business Group

Sonia Mehta, MD
President/CEO
HSHS Medical Group

Sr. M. Angela Mellady, OSF
Provincial Superior
Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration

Rev. James Meysenburg
Superintendent
Pius X High School

Stephen L. Mikochik, JD
Chair
National Catholic Partnership on Disability

Daniel Miller
President
St. Vincent de Paul, Diocese of Evansville

Gary P. Miller
President/CEO
St. Alexius Medical Center

Sr. Nancy Miller, OSB
Prioress
Annunciation Monastery

Sr. Sharon Miller, GHMS
President
Glenmary Sisters, Owensboro

Mary Elizabeth Miller, SCN
President
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

Steve Minnis
President
Benedictine College

Very Rev. Msgr. Jeffrey M. Monforton
Rector
Sacred Heart Major Seminary

Dr. Frank Montecalvo
Trustee
 Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School

Armando Montes, Jr
Grand Knight/ Faithful Navigator
Knights of Columbus Council 7079, Assembly 1075

Robert Montler
Trustee
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School

Sr. Mary Margaret Mooney, PBVM
President
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Rev. Michael Morin
Superintendent
Sacred Heart School

Sr. Rita Mary Morrissette, OSM
President
Council of Religious

Robert Motley, MD
President
Friends of Fertility Care

Tom Mulhern
Executive Director
Catholic Community Services of Lane County

Sr. Anne Munley, IHM
President
Marywood University

Sr. Ellen Murphy
Principal
St. Joan of Arc School

Mark A. Myczkowiak
General Manager
G.L.S. Diocesan Reports Inc. / The Catholic Weekly

Linda Nelsen
Administrator/CEO
Benedictine Living Community of St. Peter

Msgr. Joseph Nemec
Superintendent
St. Teresa School

Lois Nesci
CEO
Catholic Charities

Jerry Neubauer
Principal
St. Mary School, Sleepy Eye

Sr. Mary Trinh Nguyen, MTG
Regional Superior
Adorers of the Holy Cross

Jennifer Nolan
President/CEO
Our Lady of Peace Hospital

Peter Noll
Executive Director
Minnesota Catholic Education Association

Margaret Novak
State Regent
Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Randall Nyp
President/CEO
Providence Medical Center &  Saint Joseph Hospital

The Very Rev. Bernard O’Connor
President
DeSales University

Christopher O’Connor
President/CEO
Saint Raphael Healthcare System

Michael O'Dea
Founder/Executive Director
Christus Medicus Foundation

Dr. Chris O'Hara
President
The Philadelphia Guild of the Catholic Medical Association

Robert J. O'Hara, Jr.
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Catholic Conference

Sr. Therese O’Rourke, IHM
President
Congregation, Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Rev. Joseph Orr
Trustee
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School

Mary Ortwein
Executive Director
Ideals of Kentucky

Sr. Maureen Ouma
Superior
Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary - Knoxville Community

Frederick Overman
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 2764

Therese Pandl
President/CEO
St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, St. Vincent Hospital & St. Nicholas Hospital

Mike Panka
Chairman of the Board
Divine Providence Health Center

James S. Parobek
President/CEO
Saint Mary & Elizabeth Hospital

Christopher Pascucci
Member of the Board
St. Francis Hospital

Michael Pascucci
Chairman of the Board
Telecare

Jeff Pederson
President/CEO
Villa Nazareth, Friendship Inc. & Riverview Place

Rev. David Peles
Trustee
Bishop McCort Catholic High School

Msgr. John Perkinton
Superintendent
Villa Marie School

Thomas Permetti
Administrator
CHRISTUS St. John Hospital

John F. Perry, MD
Chair of Trauma Surgery/ Professor of Surgery & Anesthesiology
HealthPartners Medical Group

Patrick Perry
Principal
St. Albert the Great Catholic School

Dan Perryman
President/CEO
St. Francis Hospital

Michael Pfeifer
President/CEO
Presentation Medical Center & Villa Maria

Angela Pfister
Associate Director
Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture

Eric Piepmeier
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 4797

Matthew Pinto
President
Ascension Press

Ann Plaster
Executive Director
Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Portland Council

Stephen M. Pogorelec, FIC
Supreme Secretary
Slovak Catholic Sokol

Jack E. Pohrer, GCM
President
Order of Malta, American Association, U.S.A.

James W. Pope
President/CEO
Sylvania Franciscan Health

Sr. Mary Evelyn Potts, OP
Superior
Chattanooga Dominican Community

Mary Preston
Principal
St. Joseph School

Andrea R. Price, FACHE
President/CEO
Mercy Hospital - Northern Region

Rev. James Price, CP
Rector
St. Anne's Shrine Basilica

Audrey Prokosch
President
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

Steve Przybilla
Administrator/CEO
St. Gabriel’s Community

Mary Beth Quick
Principal
All Saints School

Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.
President
University of Scranton

Patrick Raiber II
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 2029

James P. Reber
President/CEO
St. Rita’s Health Partners

Thomas Reed
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan

Maryann Reese
President/CEO
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

Msgr. James Reinert
Superintendent
St. Joseph School

Peter Riccardo
Executive Director
Mother and Unborn Baby Care

Reed E. Reyman
President/CEO
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center

F. Dennis Riegelnegg, EdD
President
Saint Joseph’s College

Karen M. Ristau, EdD
President
National Catholic Educational Association

Bob Ritz
President/CEO
St. John’s Hospital

Rev. Thomas E. Roach, SJ
Local Superior
Scranton Jesuit Community

Sr. Denise A. Roche, GNSH
President
D’Youville College

Laura Jordan Roesch, MRC, LSW, LPC
Executive Director
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley

Msgr. Robert Roh
Superintendent
Sacred Heart School (K-12)

Peter Rosario, MD
Former Chairman of Ethics Committee
St. Mary's Medical Center

Mark Roth
State Deputy
Knights of Columbus - Kansas State Council

Sr. Pia Rottinghaus, OSB
Secretary of the Board of Directors
Essentia Health Graceville

Peter Roufs
Principal
Cathedral High School

Myriam Ruager
Executive Director
Chester County Women’s Services Medical

Lester Ruppersberger DO, FACOOG, NFP
President
Philadelphia Natural Family Planning Network

Austin Ruse
President
Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-Fam)

Rev. John J. Ryan, CSC
President
King’s College

Cherie Sammis
Vice President of Mission Integration
St. Mary’s of Michigan

Sr. Celia Sanchez
Superior

Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus "Ad Gentes"  - Chattanooga Community

Sr. Cecilia Sartorius, LSP
Administrator
Little Sisters of the Poor

Mary Saunders
State Regent
Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Samuel Spence Saunders, PhD
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 5841

Brenda Savage
Executive Director
Birth Choice Pregnancy Resource Center

Rev. Brian Saylor
Trustee
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School

Dr. Dennis Scanlon
Board of Directors Member
Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy

Tony Schapker
Deacon, MD
St. Mary's Physician Health Group

John Schlachter
Principal
Assumption Catholic School and Blessed Sacrament Parish

A. Patrick Schneider II MD, MPH
President
SS Luke & Gianna Medical Guild

Pat Schommer
Grand Knight
KC Council 8253

Rev. Ragan Schriver
Executive Director
Catholic Charities of East Tennessee

Mother Catherine Marie Schuhmann, C.P.
Superior/President
Passionist Nuns of Whitesville, KY

Michael Schuttloffel
Executive Director
Kansas State Catholic Conference

Rev. Troy Schweiger
Superintendent
St. Patrick School

Peggy Sebastian
President/CEO
St. Joseph’s Hospital

Barnabas Senecal, OSB
Abbot
St. Benedict's Abbey

Rev. James P. Shea
President
University of Mary

Geralyn C. Shelvin
Supreme Lady
Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary

Diane Simowitz
National Advisory Board
Catholic Leadership Institute

Emily Snipes
Family Life/Respect Life Coordinator
Catholic Charities

Rev. Larry Snyder
President
Catholic Charities USA

James Soukup
Grand Knight
KC Council 3134

Richard Spada
State Deputy
IL Knights of Columbus

Greg Sprigg
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 7322

Rev. John Sullivan
Superintendent
Blessed Sacrament School

Sr. Sharon Sullivan, OSU
Congregational Leader
Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, Maple Mount

Mary Starmann-Harrison
President/CEO
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS)

Colleen Steele
Administrator
St. Joseph’s Home

Joseph Swedish
President/CEO
Trinity Health

Sr. Margo Tafoya, MSSp
President
Mission Sisters of the Holy Spirit

Sr. Lucy Tardivo, DSMP
Facilities Director
Divine Providence Community Home & Lake Villa Maria Apartments

Robert Tereba
Executive Director
Catholic Charities - Diocese of Winona

Robert Thomas
President of the Board
Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy

Dale Thompson
President/CEO
Benedictine Health Systems -Winsted

Brianne Thoreson
Principal
Little Flower School

Rev. Sean Timmerman
Superintendent
Aquinas Junior/Senior High School, St. Mary School
Sharon Timmons

Interim President/CEO
St. Mary’s Hospital
Joanne Tomassi

National Regent
Catholic Daughters
of the Americas

Rev. Charles Townsend
Superintendent
St. Wenceslaus School

Msgr. Robert Tucker
Superintendent
Cathedral of the Risen Christ School

Rev. Julius Tvrdy
Superintendent
St. James School

Rev. David Tyson, CSC
Provincial Superior
The United States Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross

Gayle Uebelhor
Interim Director
Catholic Charities

Glenn Van Cura
Executive Director
Catholic Charities

Sr. Vimala Vadakumpadan, OP
Major Superior
Dominican Sisters of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin

Mother Shaun Vergauwen
Superior General
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist

Michael Vinciguerra, PhD
President
University of St. Francis

Peter Vogel
Executive Director
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada

Chad Wable
President/CEO
Saint Mary’s Hospital

Rick Wagner
Principal
St. Theodore Guerin High School

Dennis Walczyk, CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Charities

Helen Wamstad
Administrator/CEO
St. Rose Care Center and
Rosewood Court

Rev. Brian Wangler, OSB
Abbot
Assumption Abbey

Linnea Warda
President
Council of Catholic Women

Sr. Anne Marie Warren, OSF
Superior General
Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows

Very Rev. Michael Weiler, SJ
Provincial
California Province, Society of Jesus

Austin Welsh, MD
President
Saints Cosmas & Damian Guild of Kansas City

Christopher Lee Whitty
President
Bishop Manogue Catholic High School

Mark Wiener
President/CEO
Community Mercy Health Partners

Very Rev. David Wilton, CPM
Superior General
Fathers of Mercy, Auburn

Douglas Wolf
Trustee
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School

John Wolf
Trustee
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School

Myrna Wong
President
Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

Judy Wood
Regent for Court Prince Gallitzin #2625
Vice Chair
Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Daniel J. Woods
President/CEO
St. Anthony’s Hospital

Cynthia Zane, EdD
President
Hilbert College

Rocky Zastoupil
President/CEO
St. Aloisius Medical Center

Rev. Gabriel Zeis, TOR
President
Saint Francis University

The Most Rev. José Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Chairman
Migration and Refugee Services

The Most Rev. Timothy Dolan
Archbishop of New York
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops