Catholics across MN rally to address poverty, education, assisted suicide
St. Paul, MN – Catholics from across Minnesota gathered at the Capitol Thursday to lobby their elected officials for their legislative priorities, including poverty relief programs and fighting against legalizing assisted suicide.
Filling the Capitol rotunda and upper levels, Catholics met to push their priorities for this legislative session. Executive Director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference Jason Adkins says their priorities include fostering family economic security by raising the level of assistance families in need can receive, opposing legalizing assisted suicide in Minnesota, and pushing for educational scholarships in the state.
“No one should be denied a good education simply because of their socioeconomic status and their zip code, and we want to put more educational opportunities within reach of parents” says Adkins.
For some in attendance, this was not only their first experience lobbying, but was their first trip to the Capitol. David Liedl of Bemidji says he made his voyage to St. Paul to explain to lawmakers the core of the Catholic message, explaining, “To summarize it neatly is that the dignity of each and every person, that’s a fundamental right that can’t ever be taken away from a person, you don’t earn it, you know, you don’t have to work towards it, you just have it.”
Attendees say they plan to follow up with their lawmakers as the legislative session progresses. Bills addressing educational scholarships, assisted suicide, and family aid have all been introduced in the legislature.
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