World News
New York bishops join laity in Albany for annual Public Policy Day
Published: March 16, 2012
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS)-- "Poverty" and "abortion" were buzzwords at the March 13 Public Policy Day at the State Capitol in Albany. Just ask Patrick Benson and Brian Ellis, 10th-graders from St. Mary's Parish in Coxsackie, who planned to lobby state lawmakers about job creation, education and counseling. Homeless people, Brian said, "don't need money. They need to get back on track. I think they need counselors to help them." The teens were among more than 1,000 Catholics from across New York state who participated in workshops and talks and met with representatives in the state Assembly and Senate. Topics on the New York State Catholic Conference's lobbying agenda for participants included protecting the poor, preserving Catholic schools, community reintegration after incarceration, opposing an abortion bill, and assistance for immigrants. The Catholic conference represents the state's bishops on public policy concerns. Ahead of the lobbying day, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and their fellow New York bishops met with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders at the state Capitol.
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