We Live in Hope, We Work for Justice

As an Easter people, we are rooted in Resurrection hope. And as people of faith, we believe voting is a sacred way forward toward fuller participation and representation in public life. At a time when the “SAVE America” Act (S.1383) threatens to place new barriers in the way of millions of eligible voters, we are reminded why protecting the freedom to vote matters so deeply. President Trump recently issued a new executive order focused on restricting mail-in voting.

Across the country, NETWORK advocates’ are living our faith out loud protecting voting rights and building hope through faithful action. You can join us here! Our Advocate’s witness reminds us that change is already unfolding through collective work grounded in love.

I am so excited to share with you some of the highlights of our good progress from the field these past few weeks.

Be Blessed,

Minister Christian S. Watkins, M. Div.
NETWORK Senior Government Relations Advocate

Showing Up for Birthright Citizenship

NETWORK Staff outside the Supreme Court to show their support for Birthright Citizenship.

Left to right: Sr. Eilis McCulloh, HM, Meg Olson, Laura Peralta-Schulte, and Min. Christian S. Watkins.

In response to the U.S. Supreme Court hearing arguments in Trump v. Barbara regarding birthright citizenship on April 1, NETWORK issued a statement and attended a rally with advocates and partners outside the Supreme Court.

“If you are born in the U.S., you are a U.S. citizen. That’s it. This has been established law for more than 150 years, and no single presidency should get to redefine American citizenship,” said NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Laura Peralta-Schulte. “For people of faith, attempting to deny American citizenship is an aggressive and biased assault on human dignity. At times, our country has attempted to re-examine who is American and who is not based on the color of their skin or national origin.” Read the full statement here.

And see a collection of photos and videos from the event here.

ICYMI: Feast or Fascism

In the latest Connection Lead Story, Feast or Fascism, our Senior Content and Editorial Manager Don Clemmer examines how rising authoritarianism in the United States is closely tied to economic inequality and the erosion of democratic systems. Policies that concentrate wealth and power deepen division and harm marginalized communities. We gladly follow the leadership of Pope Leo XIV as he calls for a renewed commitment to dignity, solidarity, and the common good. Clemmer urges people of faith to resist injustice by building stronger, more just communities, and reminds us Catholic Social Justice can help us. Read more here.

The (Bitter) Sweet 16th Anniversary of the ACA

This month marks the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, a landmark step toward ensuring that health care is accessible and affordable for millions of people across the country. The ACA has helped more than 24 million people gain coverage and significantly reduced the number of uninsured families, reflecting the Catholic social teaching that health care is a basic human right. Yet today, that progress is under serious threat, as recent policy changes have ended key premium subsidies and introduced new barriers that make coverage harder to access and afford.

To learn more, check out our infographic!

NETWORK at No Kings!

Friends stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with signs and smiles

Virginia Advocate Anne Murphy and friends on steps of the Lincoln Memorial at DC No Kings Rally

Texas Advocates showing up at the Huston No Kings Rally!

Left to Right: Leslie Pruski, Avalyn Langemeier, and Rebekah Rivera at Texas No Kings Rally

NETWORK was proud to co-sponsor the No Kings Day of Action on March 28, as advocates across the country showed up in their communities to proclaim that this nation belongs to We the People, not to power, wealth, or fear. Rooted in our Catholic faith, we affirmed that government must uphold the dignity of every person, put people over profit, and respond to the needs of all, especially those on the margins. We are grateful for the many NETWORK advocates who participated and are happy to share photos from actions across the country that reflect this powerful witness of hope and solidarity.

Coston Fellows On and Off the Hill

Group of seven women walking down the Halls of Congress

NETWORK’s Coston Fellows walking the halls of the Cannon House Office building while advocating for food and housing policy.

Coston fellows standing around a large bin of food that is being distributed to those in need.

Coston fellows sort food at the Capital Area Food Bank.

As hunger rose and SNAP cuts threatened millions, NETWORK’s Coston Fellows turned concern into action. During their recent visit to Washington, they volunteered at the Capital Area Food Bank, helping prepare meals for communities facing growing need, and then brought those experiences directly to Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to protect access to food and housing. Their witness was a powerful reminder that no one should have to choose between groceries, rent, or their future. Take action here!

A New Place to Connect for the Common Good

I’m excited to welcome you to NETWORK’s new monthly newsletter, a space where we can stay connected and highlight news, people, stories and values that bring us together. Each month, we’ll share updates from our advocacy work, as well as reflections on the moments shaping our call to justice.

In my latest Envisioning column from NETWORK’s Connection magazine, I discuss what’s at stake for our democracy and what NETWORK has to offer in this moral moment. Our north star is—and has been for a half century—our foundresses’ mission to effect federal policy change for the common good. This advocacy can only continue to be effective if we have a functioning democracy, one where lawmakers are responsive to We the People—including our community of advocates.

That is why I’m grateful you are here, as our NETWORK community – a welcoming home for all spirit-filled justice-seekers committed to achieving racial, economic, and social justice; serving the common good; and honoring the dignity of every person.

It’s a real joy that this space offers us one more place to connect.

In solidarity,

Laurie Carafone,
NETWORK Executive Director

Calling All Christians

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

Laurie stands with two other faith leaders praying with their eyes closed.

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.

Catholics in Congress Issue Statement of Principles on Immigration

A large group of people carrying signs and walking towards the Capitol 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.

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.

Lent 2026: Crosses of Resistance

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.

Members of Congress Make the Grade?

Four members of the Ohio Advocates Team stand with a staffer from Rep. Shontel Borwn's office.

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.”

MO advocates sit around a table meeting with a member of Sen. Eric Schmitt's staff.

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 Kicks Off

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!