the
official newspaper
of the
diocese
of
wichita
Friday, December 21, 2018 vol. CLIII No. 24
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Chuck Weber says being execu- tive director of the Kansas Catho- lic Conference is a little like the person who breaks up your holi- day party because he wants to talk about politics and religion. These areas often produce awkward discussions. Taken up to- gether, they can clear your house of guests in a matter of minutes," he said with a laugh. Nonetheless, the intersection of religion and politics is at the heart of Weber's mission at the Kansas statehouse on behalf of the bish- ops of Kansas and Catholics in the pew. State representatives and senators will gather in Topeka for the opening gavel of the 2019 ses- sion on Monday, Jan. 14. Weber and the bishops will keep a special eye on legislation passed last year that was support- ed by the Kansas Catholic Confer-
Want your voice heard in Topeka?
Chuck Weber said those wanting to engage in the legis- lative process about issues important to Catholics should contact him. He has developed a presentation ideal for small groups and gatherings of all kinds. The most effective voices about public policy comes from communities, parishes and individuals, Weber said. I desperately need your help in letting lawmakers know whats important to Kansas Catholics in the pew. Let me know how I can help you become a strong advocate at the statehouse, he said. Weber may be contacted at cweber3@cox.net or at 316- 708-5350.
Mixing Kansas politics, religion
Father Drew Hoffman points to the window of the Immaculate Conception just before blessing a reproduction in wood of the window Friday, Dec. 7, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concep- tion in Wichita. The reproduction hangs in the gathering space near the Cathedral ices. Story on page 2. (Advance photo) Chuck Weber will assist the bishops of Kansas with issues they want to put before the Kansas leg- islature this year. Interview video is available at YouTube.com/DioceseOfWichita. (Advance image) (Continued on page X) (Continued on page 2)
KCC's executive director looking ahead to the 2019 legislative session
ence, the Adoption Protection Act. The bill grants legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that allow them not to place children in home situations that go against agencies' "sincerely held" reli- gious beliefs. I think one of the things - one of the disappointing things - that we've heard so far from Gov.- elect (Laura) Kelly is that in her first news conference she imme- diately said that she was going to direct her staff to find ways not to enforce the Adoption Protection Act," Weber said in an interview at the Chancery Thursday, Dec. 6. It's one thing to oppose legisla- tion and it's a whole other thing to say: I'm going to look for ways not to obey the law." The act protects agencies, such as Catholic Charities, who want to place children in homes with a married man and woman, he said. That's all it does. It just pro- tects our First Amendment right to do that - it has been called all sorts of things that it's not, and we're very disappointed the governor- elect has decided to go after this constitutionally-protected right." Weber said he will seek com- mon ground with Governor-elect Kelly on issues of mutual inter- est such as access to healthcare, opportunity for the disabled, and justice for immigrants. Medicaid expansion will likely be a hot-button issue for the state in 2019, Weber said, adding that the KCC supports Medicaid ex- pansion, but with strong reserva- tions: the cost, which could result in an additional taxpayer expense of up to $100 million a year; and government funding of contracep- tive and abortive drugs. Another topic that is beginning to surface is taxpayer-funded sex- Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In the book of the prophet Isa- iah (9:2), we will hear at the Christ- mas night Mass these words, "The people who walked in dark- ness have seen a great light. Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone." The ancient Isra- elites walked for centuries in darkness and gloom awaiting the Messiah, a Savior, and the Light of the World. In the fullness of time, the Messiah, our Savior and the Light who con- quers all darkness and sin, entered human history in the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. Since that "Holy Night," the community of believers we call the Church, the New Israel of the New Covenant, has celebrated his birth, his entry into human history and the dawn of salvation. No longer does the darkness overwhelm us or the gloom invade our hearts, for
Bishop Kemme extends Christmas and New Year blessings to all
Bishop Carl A. Kemme
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