March 11, 2009

Improved Web site keeps Catholics informed about legislative issues

By Julie Filby

There you are relaxing with your morning paper and the first legislative story you read sends your blood pressure through the roof. You want to give your representative an earful but realize you don’t know how to contact that person. In fact, you don’t even know who your representative is.

For democracy to work properly, it relies on the voice of the people. That voice cannot be heard if people don’t know where to go to express their opinion or how to get the latest information on how an outcome may affect them.

Fortunately, the Colorado Catholic Conference, the state-level public policy agency of the Church, maintains a Web site that can help. Last week the conference launched improvements to the site that make it more user friendly and effective.

The site, cocatholicconference.org, is the primary tool used by the conference to educate people on pending governmental issues important to the Church such as the Freedom of Choice Act, domestic partnerships, the death penalty and a Catholic hospital’s ability to remain true to its Catholic identity.

“We all have a duty to participate and make our voices heard,” said Jennifer Kraska, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference. “People can be intimidated and overwhelmed by the legislative process and contacting legislators about important issues.”

The conference hopes that through their Web site, the Catholic voice will be heard—and heard clearly. New and existing features of the site include the following:

Legislative network
According to Kraska, this is the single most important feature of the site. Once joining the network, members receive e-mail alerts when action is encouraged. The alert will describe the bill that has generated concern, the position the conference has taken and what action is recommended. If contacting an elected official is recommended, their information is included in the alert.

“It is really though the network that a person can stay connected to what’s happening at the conference and at the Capitol,” Kraska said.

A Catholic perspective
A Catholic Perspective is the newest addition to the site. Through this initiative, the site has posted “position statements” about issues that Catholics are concerned with including embryonic stem cell research, capital punishment and physician-assisted suicide. The statements clarify the Catholic perspective on issues that people encounter in the secular world.

“It is so important for Catholics to read these because some people don’t understand the Church’s position on issues,” Kraska said. “Some can be misrepresented in the mainstream media and we want Catholics to have a place to read about the issue from the Church’s perspective.”

Find your legislators
By typing in your home address, you will be directed to profiles for your federal and state elected officials. The profile links generally include a photo, mailing address, phone and fax number, Web site, e-mail address, political information and often education or other background information.

Legislation lists
These lists explain legislation the conference is currently following at the Capitol. Because the conference serves the three dioceses in Colorado—Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo—they lobby on behalf of all Colorado Catholics.

More new features
Additional enhancements to the site include (1) the ability to post audio and video downloads; (2) House and Senate committee lists that sort legislators and their contact information by department such as education, labor or health and human services; and (3) scrolling updates that link to relevant news stories.

“The site is more dynamic, it has more resources and it’s easier to navigate,” explained Jorge Paredes, owner of JP Creative Group and designer of the site.

Paredes’ visual communications agency specializes in assisting archdioceses, parishes and schools in their mission to promote the values of the Catholic Church.

“These days we receive tons of information,” Paredes said. “As communicators for the Church, it is important that we promote the teachings of Jesus Christ with respect.

“It’s an amazing mission to help humanity be one family under the love of God,” he added.

In a message on Jan. 24 this year, Pope Benedict XVI praised the extraordinary potential of new digital technologies. He described them as a gift to be used in promoting human understanding and solidarity, in a way that encompasses people everywhere, and respects the dignity and worth of the human person.

“We hope to use technology to change the culture we live in to better reflect our Catholic values,” said Kraska. “Hopefully our Web site encourages more Catholics, in the words of Pope Benedict ‘to bring the witness of their faith to the digital world.’ This witness is needed now more than ever.”