Pope Francis Passes Away at 88
Pope Francis passed to eternal life on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The Pope made his final public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. His body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday, April 26. Please keep him and the worldwide Church in your prayers.
The bishops of Wisconsin offered the following messages to the faithful on his passing:
On Monday, Governor Evers ordered the flags to fly at half staff. Executive Order #257 will end at sunset on the day of his interment. Read about the next steps for the Pope’s funeral and the process to choose a new pope. |
Wishing You a Joyful Easter Season
The Wisconsin Catholic Conference wishes you and your loved ones a very happy Easter season. On Easter Sunday before his passing, Pope Francis shared the following in his annual Urbi et Orbi Easter Message:
Christ is risen! These words capture the whole meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life. Easter is the celebration of life! God created us for life and wants the human family to rise again! In his eyes, every life is precious! The life of a child in the mother’s womb, as well as the lives of the elderly and the sick, who in more and more countries are looked upon as people to be discarded….
I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development. These are the “weapons” of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!….
In the Lord’s Paschal Mystery, death and life contended in a stupendous struggle, but the Lord now lives forever (cf. Easter Sequence). He fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more. Let us entrust ourselves to him, for he alone can make all things new (cf. Rev. 21:5)!
Happy Easter to everyone!
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Wisconsin Bishops Send Letter to Congressional Delegation Urging Protection of SNAP and Medicaid
The Wisconsin Catholic Bishops sent a letter to Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation urging them to not cut Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or other safety net programs that help the most vulnerable. The bishops noted that loss in revenue created by tax cuts cannot be made up by cuts to programs serving those most in need. |
JFC Public Hearings on State Budget
The Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) will hold its final two public hearings on the State Budget next week. Please consult the WCC’s 2025-26 Session Priorities and consider either attending one of the public hearings or submitting written comments to advocate for the life and dignity of the human person, the needs of families, and all those who live in poverty and on the margins. Since time for in-person comments will be limited to just a few minutes, consider advocating for three or fewer items from the WCC Priorities that matter to you. The JFC has set the Governor’s budget proposal aside and will be crafting its own version, so it is vital that Catholics make their priorities known. |
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Monday, April 28, 2025
Hayward High School Auditorium
10320 Greenwood Lane
Hayward, WI 54843Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Northcentral Technical College-Center for Health Sciences
1000 W. Campus Dr.
Wausau, WI 54401
The public hearings will be from 10am-5pm. Attendees will be asked to fill out a form upon arrival to be added to the queue to testify.
The JFC has created an online portal for constituents to provide input, as well as a dedicated email for input only (budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov). All comments and emails will be circulated to the full committee. |
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WCC Action at the Capitol
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Medicaid Eligibility Determinations ▼ Testified in opposition
AB 163 (William Penterman, R-Hustisford) Redeterminations of eligibility for the Medical Assistance Program.
Analysis: Under current law, individuals must renew their Medicaid eligibility every year. Under this bill, individuals are required to renew eligibility every six months and face a possible six-month suspension from Medicaid for failure to disclose information. Read WCC’s press release for more information.
Status: Since the public hearing, the committee has taken no further action.
Legislative Action on WCC Bills of Interest
Below is an update on the status of bills that the WCC has previously taken action on. To see the WCC’s analysis of these bills, read our prior Capitol Updates.
Postpartum MA Eligibility ▲ Testified in support
SB 23 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women from 60 days to one year after the birth of their child.
Status: Passed the Senate (32-1) and awaits action in the Assembly. |
WCC Public Policy Positions: Foster Employment Opportunities and Remove Barriers to Work
As we did last session, here we continue to elaborate on each of the WCC’s 2025 Public Policy Positions. You can learn more about Catholic Social Teaching on the USCCB website.
Foster employment opportunities and remove barriers to work. All persons have the right to earn a living, to participate in the economy, and to contribute to the common good. Wisconsin must make every effort to assist persons with physical and mental impairments to find and retain employment. Wisconsin must also assist those who experience unjust discrimination or other employment barriers.
“Work is a good belonging to all people and must be made available to all who are capable of engaging in it” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church 288). Yet, the State’s duty is not necessarily in “directly guaranteeing the right to work of every citizen,” but in sustaining business activities “by creating conditions which will ensure job opportunities, by stimulating those activities where they are lacking or by supporting them in moments of crisis” (Compendium 291). Not only is work a “fundamental right and a good for mankind” (Compendium 287) but “those who are unemployed or underemployed suffer the profound negative consequences that such a situation creates in a personality and they run the risk of being marginalized within society, of becoming victims of social exclusion” (Compendium 289).
These negative consequences stemming from barriers to work overwhelmingly impact “young people, but also women, less specialized workers, the persons with disabilities, immigrants, ex-convicts, the illiterate, all those who face greater difficulties in the attempt to find their place in the world of employment” (Compendium 289).
Some of the barriers to work can be due to a lack of necessities vital to the job search process: reliable access to a phone, computer, internet, a physical address, or adequate transportation. Additionally, many individuals face unjust discrimination simply due to their sex, race, religion, language, criminal record, or physical or mental condition. The Church affirms that “access to employment and to professions must be open to all without unjust discrimination” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2433). |
Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Federal Action Alerts. To take action on the current federal action alerts from the USCCB, click here. |
Legislative Resources
Find your legislators, committee assignments, session schedule, and more:
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