Year-Round Catholic Advocacy in WA State
June 01, 2023
In addition to advocating for the bishops' priorities during state legislative sessions that begin in January, the WSCC also encourages the faithful to engage in year-round advocacy. Check out the WSCC's Catholic Legislative Advocacy Tool Kit for step-by-step instructions for planning, organizing and participating in activities throughout the year.
Additional WSCC advocacy resources:
WSCC - Legislative Priorities of the Bishops of WA State
WSCC - Tips for Parish Leads, Year Round Advocacy Phase I
WSCC - How To Give Effective Public Testimony
WSCC - Year-round advocacy to replace Catholic Advocacy Day
The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) seeks to work with the three Catholic Dioceses of Washington state to grow a year-round, statewide legislative and policy advocacy network. This advocacy effort intends to engage diocesan staff, parish groups and other stakeholders to support a statewide, Catholic network of legislative and policy advocates. This network will engage in training and advocacy activities around the state. All advocacy efforts will be in line with Catholic Social Teaching and the bishops’ legislative priorities. Plans for this Statewide Legislative Advocacy Project may be viewed here.
In addition to advocating with the WSCC, we also encourage you to learn more about Catholic advocacy models from our partners throughout Washington state:
St. Vincent de Paul - Catholic Advocacy Model
Seattle Jesuit CORE- Mission - Vision - Focus
Network Builders (CCSWW) - Catholic Advocacy Model
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops also has a number of resources for engaging in advocacy:
USCCB - Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
USCCB - Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
Guidelines for Parishes and Agencies on Political Activity 2020
9 Rules for Civility from the Catholic Tradition
With ample notice, the WSCC can provide advocates with issue papers that can be shared with legislators or used to inform the faithful: