News Releases
Date posted: February 8, 2012
The Bishops of New York State will join hundreds of fellow Catholic New Yorkers at the annual Catholics at the Capitol public policy advocacy day Tuesday, March 13, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.
Due to a critical meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee that he is chairing in Washington, D.C., that same day, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan will not be in Albany on March 13. However, he will join his brother bishops at the state Capitol the day before, Monday, March 12, meeting with Governor Andrew Cuomo at 11 a.m. and later with legislative leaders. Cardinal-designate Dolan (who will be elevated to the College of Cardinals on February 18 in Rome) and the Bishops are expected to discuss with the Governor the various issues on the agenda for the advocacy day the next day, as well as other issues of mutual concern. A media availability will be held following the Governor’s meeting at a time to be determined.
Issues for the day are as follows:
- Oppose the “Reproductive Health Act” which expands abortion and support the Maternity & Early Childhood Foundation
- Preserve Catholic schools and provide equity for all school children
- Support emergency food programs, affordable housing and increased employment opportunities for low-income families and individuals
- Support programs that prepare and assist incarcerated individuals to successfully return to the community
- Support English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, direct legal services and assistance to recent immigrants on the path toward citizenship
On March 13, participants from all eight dioceses of New York State will attend a workshop on the issues, meet with their legislators, participate in praying the Rosary with the Knights of Columbus and process to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for 1:30 p.m. Mass with the Bishops.
Most dioceses are providing bus transportation. There is no cost to attend and a boxed lunch will be provided. A goodwill offering will be taken at Mass to offset the costs of the day. For more information and to register online, go to www.nyscatholic.org or contact your local diocesan coordinator.
The Catholic Conference represents New York State’s Bishops in matters of public policy.
Date posted: January 10, 2012
The New York State Catholic Conference today launched a completely redesigned website. The site, at www.nyscatholic.org, is more dynamic and user friendly, houses more information, and provides a more contemporary user experience in general than the previous site.
At the same time, the Conference is changing the dominant color of its logo from green to scarlet red and changing the name of its 67,000-member advocacy network from the Catholic Advocacy Network to the Catholic Action Network.
“All of the changes we are making are intended to give a better sense of our mission and who we are as an organization,” said Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference. “But most important, the changes are intended to strengthen the connection between Catholic New Yorkers and their Church and Bishops. This is particularly so with the new website.” More 
Date posted: January 6, 2012
For Immediate Release: January 6, 2012
Today in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he was creating 22 new cardinals, among them Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the New York State Catholic Conference. Cardinal-designate Dolan, who is also serving a three-year term as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be elevated to the College of Cardinals at a consistory in Rome on February 18.
Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, made the following statement this morning:
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Date posted: December 6, 2011
New York State Catholic Conference Executive Director Richard E. Barnes made the following statement today in light of the announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver that they have reached agreement on a legislative package that includes long-sought language exempting religious and independent schools in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority service area from the MTA payroll tax:
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Date posted: November 9, 2011
Statement on court victory ordering New York State to permit Choose Life license plates
A federal court has ruled that New York State must permit the Choose Life license plate as a specialty plate option for New York drivers. Following the decision by the United States District Court, Northern District of New York in the seven-year-old case known as The Children First Foundation v Raymond Martinez and Barbara Fiala, Kathleen M. Gallagher, director of pro-life activities of the New York State Catholic Conference, made the following statement:
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Date posted: September 9, 2011
Pope Benedict XVI has written to Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. See the statement here.
Date posted: August 8, 2011
Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard comments on the death of Gov. Hugh Carey.
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Date posted: June 25, 2011
A statement of gratitude from the Catholic Bishops of New York State to the faithful following the vigor with which so many faithful Catholic New Yorkers fought to preserve the true meaning of marriage as the state radically redefined it.
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Date posted: June 24, 2011
Following is a statement of the New York State Catholic Conference. There will be no further statements until after the Senate vote. “The Bishops of New York State oppose in the strongest possible terms any attempt to redefine the sacred institution of marriage. The matter of religious exemptions has been and continues to be a secondary issue that in no way negates the fact that this bill is bad for society. We urge all Senators to vote no on Governor Cuomo’s bill. Marriage has always been, is now, and always will be the union of one man and one woman in a lifelong, life-giving union. Government does not have the authority to change this most basic of truths.”
Date posted: June 14, 2011
Following is a statement from Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, on the introduction of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s same-sex “marriage” bill:
“While the language of the Governor’s bill obviously offers some religious exemption language not appearing in previous drafts of this legislation, our initial analysis is that it is not as comprehensive and adequate as has been passed and is being considered in other states.
“Also as a fundamental principle, we continue to oppose passage of this bill because it would redefine the institution of marriage.”
