Urge Your State Representatives to Support Traditional Marriage

In 2009, by the narrowest of margins, the New Hampshire Legislature passed a law that overturned thousands of years of Western civilization by redefining marriage as the union of any two adults. In 2011, HB 437 was introduced to repeal that law and restore the definition of “marriage” as the union between one man and one woman. The Legislature is expected to vote on an amended version of HB 437 within the next two weeks.

HHS Mandate an Attack on Religious Liberty and Conscience Rights

Support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act

On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The rule is set to take effect August 1, 2012. The exemption provided for "religious employers" is so narrow that it fails to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations, including Catholic hospitals, universities, and service organizations that help millions every year. Non-profit religious employers that do not now provide such coverage, and are not exempt under the rule’s extremely narrow definition of religious employer, will be given one year—until August 1, 2013—to comply.

Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed the Church's right to offer public moral witness

In the face of the threats posed by radical secularism, Benedict XVI reaffirmed the Church's right to offer public moral witness. The Pope said this during his meeting with the Bishops of the United States of America, who he received on Thursday morning, 19 January, on the occasion of their visit "ad limina Apostolorum."

Urge your Senator to Support Catholic and Other Independent Schools

SB 372 would provide tax incentives to businesses that donate scholarship money to independent schools. We support SB 372 but seek clarification in the bill to ensure that the bill would apply to religious schools.

For Family and Marriage

On the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Peter A. Libasci shares his reflections on family and marriage.

Contact your Representatives and ask them to say no to expanded gambling.

HB 593, which would legalize two casinos and 10,000 slot machines in New Hampshire, will be considered by the Legislature in January. 

Contact your Legislators to Express Opposition to Expansion of the Death Penalty

On January 4, 2012, the New Hampshire House of Representatives will consider a bill that would dramatically expand the death penalty in New Hampshire. While under current law, only specific categories of homicide can be prosecuted as capital murder, HB 162 would make the death penalty applicable to anyone who commits “purposeful” murder.  According to the NH Department of Justice, eight murders in 2008, ten murders in 2009, and five murders in 2010 would likely have been charged as capital murders had HB 162 been in effect.  

New Hampshire currently has one person in prison with a death sentence.  His case, still on appeal, has already cost New Hampshire taxpayers over $5 million, more than it would cost to jail him for 100 years.

Show Support for our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters

Contact the Executive Council before Wednesday, December 14 and ask them to support federal funding for critical services for refugees and their families.

"Protect Life Act" Passes House - Your Help Needed for Senate

WASHINGTON-The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities welcomed passage in the House of the "Protect Life Act". Attention now shifts to the Senate, where Senators should be urged to support and co-sponsor S. 877. Voice your support at NCHLA's Action Center.

Urge the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to Vote “No” on Repealing DOMA

The Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate has scheduled a hearing on November 3, 2011, to vote on a bill that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act (known as “DOMA”).

Famine grips East Africa, floods ravage South Asia

Urge Congress, Administration not to abandon our brothers and sisters now! Our Catholic faith calls us to protect people who are hungry, thirsty, seeking refuge and care. Life-saving poverty-focused international assistance, which fights hunger and disease and makes communities facing natural disasters such as those in East Africa and South Asia, more resilient, makes up less than 1% of the U.S. federal budget. However, Congress is considering proposals right now that would drastically cut assistance to people in dire need.