‘Catholics at the Capitol’

 21 April 2023

By Paige Brown
Nebraska Catholic Conference

Pictured from Left to Right in the Photo: Judy Westin, Shelly Chlopek & Connie Consbruck at Catholics at the Capitol April 12 to support LB 626 The Nebraska Heartbeat Act, being debated today in the first round on the Unicameral floor.  There are 33 committed Pro -Life votes in support of this historical bill, enough to override the filibuster.

“Speak up or be spoken for” was the theme of the ninth annual Catholics at the Capitol Wednesday, April 12. 

The annual day of legislative advocacy, hosted by the Nebraska Catholic Conference, attracted a record number of 275 Nebraska Catholics, from 46 of the state’s 49 legislative districts.  The previous record attendance was beaten by more than 100 people and our typical attendance by nearly three times!

Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Island began the event with morning prayer. Bishop James Conley of Lincoln also addressed the crowd, speaking on the importance of every individual life.

Editor’s Note: click for photo slideshow

The bishops were followed by a rallying introduction to the day from Senator Mike McDonnell of Omaha. 

“We seize the day today,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of advocates’ presence at the Capitol for the event, and for the first round of legislative debate of the proposed Nebraska Heartbeat Act, which happened to be the same day. 

Keynote speaker Governor Jim Pillen also moved Catholics to action with his testimony of embracing faith and life. 

“Take courage,” he said. “It’s time to start speaking up.” 

Governor Pillen, who has repeated his wish to protect as many babies as possible in law, focused the group’s attention on moving the pro-life cause forward with love, reminding everyone that “love conquers all.”

Lisa McInerney, a member of North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln, and the program director of Sidewalk Advocates for Life in Lincoln, has attended Catholics at the Capitol several times.

“This was the biggest and most enthusiastic crowd I have seen,” she said. “People are especially excited about the Heartbeat Act, but I also think that people are more willing to interact with our state senators on a variety of topics now that they have learned how effective it can be.”

She said Governor Pillen’s talk was the most inspirational part of the Catholics at the Capitol event for her. 

“He was getting choked up when he was telling us about the privilege of being governor of our state,” McInerney said, “and then he bowed his head and led us in praying, ‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful …’ That brought me to tears of thankfulness that we have a governor of such humility and prayerfulness.”

Much of the day’s activities and topics revolved around the historic proposed legislation, the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, LB626. Catholics at the Capitol attendees observed live legislative debate in the balconies of the legislative chamber for several hours. 

Attendees and staff reported messages of praise and thanks for the show of force from pro-life senators, who felt encouraged and enlivened by their presence. 

Attendees also had the chance to attend the Advance the Heartbeat Act press conference and rally that same afternoon on the north steps of the Capitol. Joined by more than 300 Nebraskans, Governor Pillen, statewide pro-life leaders and dozens of state senators noted the debate day as a historic day for Nebraska, for being closer than ever to expanding protections from abortion. 

The lineup of speakers included Senator Joni Albrecht who introduced the Heartbeat Act; Governor Pillen; Katie Patrick, the executive director of Catholic Social Services and a mother who shared her heartbeat story of love and loss; Laura Buddenberg, the retired executive director of Essential Pregnancy Services in Omaha; Dr. Elena Kraus, who shared her confidence that LB626 will help women receive adequate healthcare; and the newest state senator and co-sponsor of the bill, Carolyn Bosn. 

The Heartbeat Act would protect preborn babies with beating hearts from abortion, which would save up to 2,000 lives per year in Nebraska. LB626 was introduced by Senator Albecht, a pro-life champion in the Nebraska Legislature who introduced LB933, the Human Life Protection Act, the previous year. LB933 would have eliminated abortion in Nebraska upon the overturn Roe v. Wade, but the bill was defeated in the first round of debate, after a hard-fought filibuster. After the Dobbs decision came down in June, state senators and Nebraskans have been eager to expand protections for mothers and preborn babies from abortion.

This year’s attendants got the “full Capitol experience” with special presentations, legislative updates, and observing live debate. The final victory of the day came with the vote to advance LB626 at 7 p.m. The motion to advance the bill prevailed by a vote of 33 in favor and 16 opposed. 

Connie Consbruck, a member of St. Michael Parish in Hastings, has attended Catholics at the Capitol many times. She has been the pro-life coordinator at her parish for at least 50 years, having been appointed to the role by the late Father Patrick Lyons. She also said she found the day “exciting,” beginning with seeing the large crowd in St. Mary’s basement.

“Catholics at the Capitol has always been an inspiration to work your heart out to protect our unborn children,” she said, “but this year’s event had a certain seal of certainty that LB626 would indeed pass the first round of debate on the floor. 

“It was exhilarating to know that it had (advanced),” she continued, “despite the opposition being so outspoken and angry. We are all praying and working that the Heartbeat Act will advance from Select File, the second last step before going to the governor’s desk to sign.”

Judy Westin, also a member of St. Michael Parish in Hastings and the future president of the Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW), attended Catholics at the Capitol for the first time this year. She said there was an excitement in the air that she couldn’t describe in words: “like we were witnessing history and felt blessed to see it.”

Shelly Chloupek, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Harvard, attended with Westin and Consbruck. She has been a long time pro-life coordinator at her parish and was equally excited, knowing the attendees were part of “something special,” and that being there in person proved it was important for senators to see their constituents. 

“Protecting life is the most important thing we can do, for without life, nothing else matters,” she said.

The Southern Nebraska Register contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.lincolndiocese.org/news/diocesan-news/16862-catholics-at-the-capitol