This weekend, the Diocese of Charleston held its first ever Eucharistic Congress in our state's capital at the Columbia Convention Center. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was followed by a Eucharistic procession, which passed by the state capitol building. The South Carolina Catholic Conference prays that Our Lord’s real presence will call all South Carolinians to a deeper conversion, especially our political leaders.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (Jn 6:51-54). 


Photos by Doug Deas

This week at the capitol, the Senate did not meet on the floor, but their work continued. Returning from furlough, the House of Representatives got back to work. They discussed many issues, ranging from energy, to antisemitism, to the use of campaign funds for childcare costs.

With only four weeks left to go before the session is over, the General Assembly has much work to be done. The South Carolina Catholic Conference urges the legislature to be decisive in their actions for the common good in the Palmetto state. 

See more of this week's highlights below!
 

Next Week

First - The Help, Not Harm bill, H. 4624, needs to be brought up by special order if it is going to be passed before the session is over.

This bill would protect minors from harmful gender procedures. It is critical that we offer support and charity to those struggling with gender dysphoria; subjecting kids to these procedures and medications is not loving and will not ease their suffering in the long term.

In their new declaration entitled Dignitas Infinita, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith states unequivocally: “It follows that any sex-change intervention, as a rule, risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception.”

Please join us in prayer for the Senate next Tues., April 16 at 11:45 a.m. on the State House grounds.


Second - On April 16, a subcommittee of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on S. 445, Recovery Housing. The bill is scheduled to be heard during the meeting that will begin an hour and a half after the House adjourns for the day. 

This bill would create infrastructure to assist men and women in their recovery from addiction. Those suffering from addiction need our support and care. Also, they need resources to help them get out of their situation and the tools to begin a better life. 

The South Carolina Catholic Conference thanks Sens. Billy Garrett and Katrina Shealy for their sponsorship of this legislation and we urge the House to pass this bill quickly. 


Third - Also on this subcommittee’s agenda for April 16 is S. 882, Prescriptions for Minors. The bill will also be heard an hour and a half after the adjournment of the House.

This bill would require that parents are notified about their children receiving medications. Parents should be involved in the medical decisions of the children still in their care. It is a parent’s responsibility to provide for and guide their children and this bill puts into place much-needed protections for them to do so.

The Catholic Conference commends Sen. Michael Johnson for introducing this legislation. 


Fourth - Lastly, the Family, Business, and Probate Laws Subcommittee will take up S. 142, Safe Harbor for Exploited Minors. This bill will be heard in this subcommittee an hour and a half after the House adjourns.

Often, sex trafficking victims will be forced to steal or commit other petty crimes. This bill would provide a legal defense for minors who are victims of sex trafficking.

The Catholic Conference once again thanks Sen. Katrina Shealy for her sponsorship of this important legislation to help put victims of human trafficking on the road to healing and recovery.