MCC from the Capitol

Missouri Catholic Conference

In this podcast produced by the Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC), we will dive deeper into public policy issues from a Catholic perspective. read less

GovernmentGovernment

Start Here

Diocesan Pro-Life Directors talk Amendment 3

Diocesan Pro-Life Directors talk Amendment 3

Curt Wichmer, Legislative Analyst at the MCC, recently spoke with Mary Varni, Director of the Respect Life Apostolate for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Deb Sheppard, Director of the Life and Justice Office for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and Sister Janine Tran, Respect Life Director for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, about the dangerous and misleading language in Amendment 3. They discuss how miscarriage care will still be provided, that the amendment would prohibit any type of penalty for someone who assists a person in “exercising their right to reproductive freedom,” and how it would open the door to taxpayer funding of abortion.

Episodes

Diocesan Pro-Life Directors talk Amendment 3

Diocesan Pro-Life Directors talk Amendment 3

Curt Wichmer, Legislative Analyst at the MCC, recently spoke with Mary Varni, Director of the Respect Life Apostolate for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Deb Sheppard, Director of the Life and Justice Office for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and Sister Janine Tran, Respect Life Director for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, about the dangerous and misleading language in Amendment 3. They discuss how miscarriage care will still be provided, that the amendment would prohibit any type of penalty for someone who assists a person in “exercising their right to reproductive freedom,” and how it would open the door to taxpayer funding of abortion.

Gabriel's Retreat

Gabriel's Retreat

Gabriel's Retreat Ministries helps women find love and support when expecting the unexpected. By meeting women where they are, Gabriel's Retreat provides love and support for them and their families to bring hope and peace in a time of unexpectedness. Participation in their retreats and programs will help women to nurture their faith as beloved daughters of God, grow in community with others, and find joy in motherhood.https://gabrielsretreat.org/

Msgr. Robert Kurwicki, VG, Chaplain to the Missouri House of Representatives

Msgr. Robert Kurwicki, VG, Chaplain to the Missouri House of Representatives

Msgr. Robert Kurwicki, Vicar General of the Diocese of Jefferson City, talks about his experiences as the Chaplain to the Missouri House of Representatives.

The Catholic Church and Annulments

The Catholic Church and Annulments

The Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Fr. Brad Berhorst, JCL, JV, discusses annulments on the MCC from the Capitol podcast. Many Catholics confuse civil divorce with the Catholic Church’s declaration of annulment. Fr. Berhorst discusses the differences, what constitutes a valid marriage, reasons that create an impediment to a valid marriage, and the annulment process. If you have questions or comments about this subject, please contact communications@mocatholic.org.

Healing and Hope after Abortion

Healing and Hope after Abortion

Chuck and Linda Raymond discuss the lingering pain and guilt felt by women and men after an abortion. This podcast covers how to find healing and hope as individuals and couples and what resources are available through the Catholic church to help those who are wounded by abortion.You can view a list of resources available by diocese on the Missouri Catholic Conference website at https://mocatholic.org/women-and-families-resources/

Bishop Rice Pro-Life Homily

Bishop Rice Pro-Life Homily

Bishop Edward M. Rice, of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, gave an impassioned homily during Mass at the Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter. The Mass was celebrated at the end of the Midwest March for Life on May 1, 2024, in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Jimmy Akin: Civility and Politics

Jimmy Akin: Civility and Politics

Jamie Morris, the MCC’s Executive Director and General Counsel, recently spoke to Jimmy Akin about the lack of civility in politics for our MCC from the Capitol podcast.Mr. Akin is a senior apologist at Catholic Answers and the host of Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World. He is the author of several books including The Bible is A Catholic Book and Teaching with Authority: How to Cut Through Doctrinal Confusion & Understand What the Church Really Says.Visit Jimmy Akin at:jimmyakin.commysterious.fmcatholic.com

In Vitro Fertilization and Church Teaching

In Vitro Fertilization and Church Teaching

Missouri Catholic Conference Executive Director and General Counsel, Jamie Morris, talks with Rev. Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. about the ethical concerns and Church teaching on In Vitro Fertilization. Fr. Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, and serves as Senior Ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.https://www.youtube.com/@FatherTad/videoshttps://www.ncbcenter.org/https://www.fathertad.com/

Abortion Initiative Petition

Abortion Initiative Petition

Jamie Morris, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Missouri Catholic Conference, talks with Sam Lee of Campaign Life about the status of the Abortion Initiative Petition. Jamie and Sam discuss in depth how the petition would enshrine abortion in the Missouri Constitution, allow abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, allow any healthcare provider, such as a dentist or doula, to perform an abortion, and eliminate protections for women who have an abortion.

New Wave Feminists

New Wave Feminists

Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa talks with MCC, Executive Director, Jamie Morris, about New Wave Feminists and their advocacy for the vulnerable. New Wave Feminists is a pro-(all) Life feminist organization, that believe every human being should live a life free from violence, from the womb to the tomb.

The Real Presence in the Eucharist

The Real Presence in the Eucharist

Bishop Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph discusses the importance of the real presence of Jesus Christ being truly present in the Holy Eucharisst.

Catholic Teaching on the Death Penalty

Catholic Teaching on the Death Penalty

Bishop Edward Rice, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, and MCC lobbyist Curt Wichmer discuss the history of the Catholic teaching on the death penalty and how the principle of double effect interacts with capital punishmentʼs validity, in this episode of MCC from the Capitol.

Guns and Domestic Violence

Guns and Domestic Violence

MCC Executive Director Jamie Morris sits down with Jessica Woolbright, Executive Director of the Saint Martha’s domestic violence center in St. Louis, and Deacon Tyler McClay, Director of Advocacy at Catholic Charities of St. Louis, to discuss the impact of guns in domestic violence situations, federal and state legislation, and the upcoming gun violence summit.

MCC Legislative Roundtable May 2023

MCC Legislative Roundtable May 2023

MCC Executive Director Jamie Morris sits down to discuss which MCC priority bills passed during the 2023 legislative session and which did not. To see the complete MCC 2023 End of Session report, click here.

MCC Legislative Roundtable March 2023

MCC Legislative Roundtable March 2023

In this episode of MCC from the Capitol, the Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) lobbyists give an update on the first half of the Missouri legislative session. We discuss child care and adoption tax credits, postpartum care, campus religious liberty, and more.

MCC Legislative Roundtable February 2023

MCC Legislative Roundtable February 2023

In this episode of MCC from the Capitol, the Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) lobbyists discuss the happenings of the early 2023 Missouri legislative session. The team converses school choice, postpartum care, and criminal justice reform.

Answering the Call to a Sacred Ministry (Foster Care)

Answering the Call to a Sacred Ministry (Foster Care)

Dr. Michael Meehan is the CEO of Marygrove, a child welfare agency near St. Louis that helps children, teens and young adults learn how to transcend an abusive past or overcome other life challenges and move toward a brighter future. In this episode, he discusses how individuals and parishes can get involved in supporting youth and foster families.

God's Timing: A Foster Mother's Story

God's Timing: A Foster Mother's Story

Have you ever wondered what the foster parent process looks like? Hear one mom’s journey about feeling called to foster and eventually adopt a group of siblings. Shelly Sconce discusses the surprises and rewards of expanding her family in this episode of MCC from the Capitol.

Faithful Citizenship

Faithful Citizenship

Bishop Shawn McKnight (Diocese of Jefferson City) discusses how Catholics can form their consciences in order to answer the Church’s call to faithful citizenship.

Consistent Life Ethic

Consistent Life Ethic

Aimee Murphy, a Catholic, describes why she created Rehumanize International, a nonpartisan, secular organization dedicated to bringing an end to all aggressive violence against humans.