By a 65-33 vote, the US Senate passed the bipartisan Safer Communities Act on Friday. The act was immediately signed into law by President Joe Biden. 

The Safer Communities Act is the most significant new federal gun safety measure in decades. Regulations in this law include:

• Provides $750 million to help states implement conduct crisis courts and intervention programs, like mental health courts, drug courts, and veteran courts. 
• Provides $1 billion for safe schools and citizenship education.
• Requires more gun sellers to register as Federally Licensed Firearm dealers.
• Closes the boyfriend loophole in domestic violence law.
• Implements a new protocol for checking juvenile records.
• Increases funding for mental health programs and school security.
• Provides $150 million for the suicide crisis hotline.
• Implements penalties on "straw purchasing" - buying a firearm for someone else for illegal use.

These programs are aimed to keep guns out of the hands of those who are a threat to themselves or others.

Following the passage of the act, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City issued the following statement:

"I welcome the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which will take meaningful action to prevent gun violence and protect lives. The investments in mental health services and reasonable measures to regulate guns included in this bill are positive initial steps towards confronting a culture of violence. Click here to read the full statement: https://bit.ly/3HURUTS.

Source: Diocese of Charleston

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued its decision in the case of Carson v. Makin, which challenged a decision by the First Circuit to allow the state of Maine to exclude religious school from a tuition assistance benefit on the basis that those schools include religion as part of their instruction. By vote of 6-3, the Court ruled in favor of the petitioners. 

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane issued a statement in response to the Court’s ruling: 

“The Supreme Court has rightly ruled that the Constitution protects not just the right to be religious but also to act religious. This common-sense result reflects the essence of Catholic education." Click here to read the full statement:  https://bit.ly/3xHnlfK 

SCOTUS’s ruling also sets the precedent that state’s Blaine Amendments are unconstitutional, directly impacting the Diocese's lawsuit against the state of South Carolina over SC’s Blaine Amendment. 

We are grateful for the Supreme Court’s ruling and pray for a future where Catholic schools are not discriminated against in the Palmetto State. 

Source: Diocese of Charleston

The Catholic Church is committed to respect for the dignity of each human person. Acts of sexual exploitation or abuse , particularly against children or the vulnerable will not be tolerated by the Diocese of Charleston. To learn more, click here to visit the Diocese of Charleston Office of Child and Youth Protection.

In June of 2002, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops gathered to discuss the sin of clergy sexual abuse, and the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was drafted. Attached is a video regarding updates to diocesan policies on youth protection. There will be coverage in the July edition of The Catholic Miscellany regarding the 20th anniversary of the charter.

Source: Diocese of Charleston

PATHWAYS™ is an intentional and heartfelt initiative filled with compassion and support that shares opportunities for civilly married or cohabitating couples to learn the path toward sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church. PATHWAYS™ also teaches how to encourage more people to seek sacramental marriage after a civil service.

Are you married outside the Catholic Church with a desire for your marriage to become a sacrament? PATHWAYS™ is a chance to gain insight into what steps are needed for your marriage to be blessed by the Church. It is an informal gathering in which attendees learn about Sacramental Marriage, Convalidation, Annulments, and the steps to an Exchange of Vows. A gathering will be held June 9 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 2252 Woodruff Road in Simpsonville, in English and Spanish. The afternoon session will be from 2-4:30 p.m. and the evening session from 7-9:30 p.m. Dessert and drinks will be served.

Contact

Lorrie Gramer (English), 815-289-0523, lorrie@marriagebuildin...

Lucia Luzondo (Spanish), 305-934-4175

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Source: Diocese of Charleston