NETWORK has joined Christians across the country in signing the “Call to Christians”

NETWORK Executive Director, Laurie Carafone, J.D., ThM, joined faith leaders at a Lenten vigil to stand in solidarity with the “Call to Christians” coalition.

letter, committing to concrete actions rooted in faith. Together, we pledge to stand in solidarity with immigrants targeted by unjust policies, reject political violence in all forms, defend voting rights and democratic norms, and work toward a future grounded in peace, truth, and hope.

The letter urges Christians to show courage in resisting injustice and anti-democratic threats, emphasizing that silence in this moment is not neutral but allows harm to continue. It also warns that rising authoritarianism, attacks on civil rights, and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty and power demand a faithful response grounded in the teachings of Jesus.

Read more here: https://acalltochristians.org/

Immigrant justice is moving many people of faith. Pictured here are advocates marching on Capitol Hill in a public witness for immigrants.

More than 40 Catholic Members of Congress recently came together to affirm that their faith helps shape how they approach immigration policy. Led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the lawmakers released a statement of principles reflecting the Vatican’s call for immigration policies that uphold human dignity and serve the common good as championed by Pope Leo XIV and earlier by Pope Francis.

The statement outlines three principles of Catholic Social Teaching on immigration: a commitment to protect vulnerable and displaced people and their right to migrate to sustain their families; recognition of both the right to seek safety and the authority of nations to regulate their borders through policies that are ordered, humane, and sustainable; and a call for border enforcement guided by justice and mercy, noting that agencies like ICE and CBP have too often fallen short through family separations, the removal of law-abiding community members, and deaths in detention.

A large group of people walking towards the Capitol carrying signs on a cold winter day.
Immigrant justice is moving many people of faith. Pictured here are advocates marching on Capitol Hill in a public witness for immigrants.

The statement was signed by Catholic legislators including Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Dingell, Madeleine Dean, Betty McCollum, Ted Lieu, Joaquin Castro, James P. McGovern, Nydia Velázquez, and Richard Neal, among many others.

Take Action: Join us in urging Congress to say no to any additional ICE and CBP funding without real reforms and accountability.

Above is the poster for NETWORK’s 2026 Lenten campaign: Crosses of Resistance. Download here.

Kicking off our Lenten reflection series, Crosses of Resistance, NETWORK’s Senior Government Relations Advocate Min. Christian S. Watkins invites us to see Ash Wednesday not only as a reminder of our mortality, but as a call to resist injustice – particularly efforts that threaten voting rights. As Lent begins, some lawmakers in Congress are advancing the “SAVE America” Act (S.1383), that will require voters to show documents that prove their citizenship when registering to vote or updating their registration. For the vast majority of voters, that means presenting a passport or a birth certificate, along with a government-issued ID. 21 million eligible voters do not have these required documents readily available. And, by requiring that voters show these documents in person, this bill functionally eliminates online and mail-in voter registration.

Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, Min. Watkins’ reflection reminds us that participation in public life is a moral duty flowing from the dignity of the human person. Laws that disproportionately burden people in poverty, young voters, communities of color, elders, and those without stable housing undermine that dignity and the common good. This Lent, we are called not only to prayer and repentance, but to action – organizing and advocating to ensure every eligible neighbor can vote freely and without fear.

Take Action: Help NETWORK resist legislation that denies voting rights to all eligible voters. Call your Senators and let them know that this bill must not pass! Call this number: (202) 915-4877.

Read more: See here for other Lenten reflections and calls to action in our ongoing series.

Members of the Ohio NETWORK Advocates team drop off a 100% Voter Certificate at Rep. Shontel Brown’s office. Photo includes: Annie Kachurek, Bob Kloos, Sr. Mary Eileen Boyle, OSU, and Bob Kachurek.

NETWORK’s annual congressional scorecard was featured in a new Commonweal article: ‘Do Catholic Legislators Vote Catholic?’ It reveals that Catholic lawmakers overwhelmingly vote along party lines rather than consistently reflecting Catholic Social Teaching. In the House and Senate, most Catholic Democrats strongly aligned with NETWORK’s priorities, while most Catholic Republicans showed low levels of agreement, with only a few moderates breaking ranks. “In the House, Catholic Republicans showed near or total opposition to NETWORK priorities,” executive director Laurie Carafone said. “Whether on immigration or the budget, the vast majority of Catholic GOP representatives scored between 0 and 10 percent agreement with NETWORK.”

The Missouri NETWORK Advocates team has a Voting Record meeting with a member of Sen. Eric Schmitt’s staff.

At the same time, Carafone is hopeful, the article stated: “Constituents across the country are really making a lot of noise,” Carafone said, adding that individual members of Congress have told her they are receiving—and tallying—thousands of calls. “As people are seeing the harmful effects, to themselves and others, of all these cuts to basic programs and trillions of dollars going to rich folks and corporations, they are starting to be more vocal.”

Take Action: NETWORK advocates are delivering the 2025 Voting Records to their Members of Congress to thank them for votes that improved lives across the country, or to hold them accountable for failing to support policies that build an Economy for All. Will you make a delivery in your state or district?

NETWORK’s Organizing Institute logo.

Thank you to everyone who applied for the first session of NETWORK’s Organizing Institute. This new four-month formation program kicked off last week with 99 members and was created in response to rising authoritarianism and deepening economic inequality, recognizing that advocacy alone is not enough for this moment. To achieve lasting change, we must build grassroots power. The Organizing Institute equips faith-filled advocates with practical organizing skills, including power analysis, base-building, and campaign strategy, so they can lead effectively in their communities. Together, we can hold elected officials accountable and ensure our government works for We the People. Lasting change happens when faithful advocates become skilled organizers. Congratulations to NETWORK’s Grassroots Mobilization team for helping us get there!