By Martina Hart

CHARLESTON—The Catholic Conference of West Virginia, together with the diocesan Department of Social Ministries, sponsored Catholic Advocacy Day Feb. 2-3, giving participants an opportunity to learn how to be effective advocates for the poor and to be a voice for the voiceless.

An early evening session held at Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston reviewed why Catholics are called to participate in the political process. Rev. Mr. Todd Garland, director of the Department of Social Ministries and the diocesan Office of Justice and Life, explained the twofold task of Catholic conferences—to inform the bishops of public policy and to follow the bishops’ direction in public policy. Deacon Garland serves as one of the lobbyists for the Catholic Conference of West Virginia along with Carol Warren, Greg Hoyer and Nicholas Casey.

“We need a system, a moral framework on which to base our public policy decisions,” Deacon Garland said, explaining that the body of Catholic social teaching, spanning three centuries, serves as this moral framework, providing a model for other faith communities that are in the process of building their own social teaching.

“Briefly,” he continued, “what that means is we base our public policy on human dignity, sanctity of life, solidarity with the vulnerable and the poor, especially the most vulnerable, the centrality of the family in society, participating in the public order, the public good.”

Warren and Deacon Garland then discussed current issues: the protection of small rural cemeteries as consecrated places and granting people access to the final resting places of their loved ones; the protection of water sources to ensure adequate and safe drinking water; various measures to reduce poverty; health care issues, such as accessible and affordable health care for all; and the protection of human life and conscience.

Jesuit Father Brian O’Donnell, executive secretary of the Catholic Conference of West Virginia, described the organization’s Web site as one means for the Catholic Conference, in cooperation with the Department of Social Ministries, to educate West Virginians of the church’s social teachings and features background information on current issues, legislative updates, as well as links to church documents. Participants of Catholic Advocacy Day reconvened at the State Capitol the following morning to meet with legislators and address their concerns and issues.

For more information on the Catholic Conference or the legislative process, visit www.catholicconferencewv.org and www.legis.state.wv.us. To sign up for weekly legislative updates via e-mail, contact Deacon Garland at tgarland@dwc.org.