Oregon Catholic Conference

The Oregon Catholic Conference advocates and promotes the pastoral teaching of Oregon's Catholic Bishops (Archdiocese of Portland and the Diocese of Baker) on various issues at the state and national levels in service to the Catholic people of Oregon. 

The active Catholic Bishops of Oregon are the members of the Oregon Catholic Conference (OCC). Their efforts support public policies that promote the common good. These efforts include: 

      * Developing a public policy agenda and coordinating the advocacy efforts of the            Catholic community in the state of Oregon.
 
      * Engaging with public authorities, legislative bodies, and other civic organizations

      * Working in coalition with other advocacy groups on issues of shared concern.

      * Creating advocacy resources for our faith communities throughout the state.

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"The Church...cannot and should not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.  She has to play her part through rational argument and she has to reawaken the spiritual energy without which justice, which always demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and prosper."
 
                                       Benedict XVI, (Encyclical letter Deus Caritas Est. #26, 2006)

Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace message for 2019, entitled "Good Politics at the Service of Peace," is a call to political participation. He reminds us that the Gospel calls us to raise our voices for the common good, for “politics is one of the highest forms of charity.” Advocating for and with communities who are oppressed, disadvantaged, or excluded is a response to our baptismal call to love all members of the Body of Christ, in imitation of Christ’s love.

Use the accompanying resources, including a two-page handout (soon to be available in en Español) to reflect on Pope Francis’ important invitation to all Catholics and people of good will.