Maryland bishops seek death penalty ban, support for Catholic schools

Published: 2008-01-04

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CNS) -- With issues like same-sex marriage, the death penalty and immigration likely to dominate much of the session of the Maryland General Assembly that begins Jan. 9, leaders of the Maryland Catholic Conference are bracing for some tough battles. But they are optimistic their more elusive legislative priorities from previous sessions may finally become law. The Annapolis-based legislative lobbying arm of the state's Catholic bishops will advocate for and against bills related to pro-life matters, social justice, education and other Catholic concerns throughout the 90-day session. Repealing the death penalty is among the actions Maryland Catholic Conference leaders believe can be accomplished this year. The conference also has high hopes that a business tax credit to help nonpublic schools can be established, along with a proposed program to benefit women with unplanned pregnancies. The conference will be fighting expected legislation legalizing same-sex marriage and a bill that Catholic leaders say would cripple the church's ministries by allowing child abuse-related civil suits that had been previously prevented by the statute of limitations.

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