OLYMPIA – As the state Legislature begins its 2021 session, the Washington State Catholic Conference is ready to advocate on behalf of the state’s bishops for issues that reflect Catholic social teaching, said executive director Mario Villanueva.

The conference is also continuing its work to inform parishioners around the state on issues important to the church.

“Our call is to get people engaged,” Villanueva said, explaining that the WSCC emails advocacy updates every week to inform Catholics about issues as they develop during the 105-day session that began January 11. Catholics can use that information as they communicate with their legislators, he said.

This year’s WSCC legislative priorities include aging and people with disabilities, education and Catholic schools, children and families, restorative justice, economic justice, care for God’s creation, Catholic hospitals and health care, affordable housing, respect life issues, immigration and the state budget, according to information from the WSCC.

The legislative session will be mostly virtual, which Villanueva said could pose difficulties for lobbyists in connecting with legislators. Adrienne Joyce, the WSCC’s director of policy and communications, said she expects fewer bills to be introduced.

The virtual nature of this session will extend to Catholic Advocacy Day, an annual event when Catholics usually meet in Olympia for Mass, legislative briefings and in-person meetings with their legislators. This year’s event on March 23, with the theme “Catholics for Equity and Life,” will be online, a change that was being considered even before the pandemic, Joyce said.

“It’s a challenge to ask people to go to Olympia for a business day,” she said, and the virtual event will make it easier for Catholics all over the state to participate.

The event will include “virtual” Mass in English and Spanish and Zoom meetings with legislators. Villanueva said he expects the new format will attract more young people and members of the Hispanic community. “We’re also going to identify specific bills they can talk [about] with legislators,” he added. (Register online by March 9 or call 206-223-1138.)

During this session, Villanueva expects legislation to be introduced around economic justice related to COVID-19. With state revenues expected to be lower this year because of the pandemic, social services for those most in need may be threatened.

And the WSCC will advocate for a number of bills related to affordable housing, such as ensuring adequate funding for the state’s Housing Trust Fund, which has funded construction or preservation of more than 50,000 units of affordable housing across the state since 1986.

Officially abolishing the death penalty is another issue expected to come up this year. The state Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 2018, but the law remains on the books. Senate Bill 5047 would eliminate the death penalty and instead require life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole for anyone convicted of aggravated first-degree murder, Villanueva said.

To keep updated on issues and status of legislation at the state and national levels, Catholics can sign up for the conference’s advocacy alerts. Parishes can also contact the WSCC about setting up virtual learning sessions to help their parishioners stay informed.

“We’re looking for groups who want to stay connected year round,” Villanueva said.

Get involved

The following resources can help Catholics become more informed and engaged in advocating for legislative issues important to the Catholic Church:

Washington State Catholic Conference: Advocacy resources and information about public policies supported by the state’s Catholic bishops for the common good.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: Information from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops about the political responsibility of Catholics and guidance for exercising their rights and duties as participants in democracy.

Catholic Social Teaching: Education from the USCCB about how to build a just society and live lives of holiness amid the challenges of modern society.

Washington State Legislature: Information about status of current bills and how to contact legislators.

Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center: Information about Catholic Advocacy Day on March 23.