By Victoria Arthur
Statehouse Correspondent for Indiana’s Catholic Newspapers
At the start of a new legislative session, the Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is already out front on numerous issues, including the state’s recently reignited debate over the death penalty.
The 124th Indiana General Assembly opened Jan. 8, less than a month after the state carried out its first execution in 15 years. Lawmakers are now considering — and the ICC is strongly supporting — House Bill 1030, which would eradicate the death penalty in Indiana. Its author, Rep. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne), is a Catholic who has spoken widely about his change of heart concerning capital punishment, which he favored until recently.
The ICC’s support for this measure comes as additional Catholic lawmakers lead the charge on other key legislation, including bolstering parents’ authority over their children’s use of social media and offering a fresh start to residents who have an eviction on their record.
Underscoring these issues is the Catholic Church’s unwavering commitment to upholding the sanctity of human life and protecting the vulnerable, according to Alexander Mingus, executive director of the ICC, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Indiana.
“As we discern our priorities for any given legislative session, we always try to stay attentive to the moral areas the Church cares about — in particular, matters concerning the dignity of the human person,” Mingus said. “But we also look at what is on the minds of legislators and how we can advance the Church’s long and rich tradition of social teaching when it comes to the issues of the day.”
The ICC has taken that approach since its inception nearly 60 years ago. Now, Mingus is its new leader following the retirement of his predecessor, Angela Espada, over the summer. And there is a new voice at the ICC — that of Roarke LaCoursiere, its new associate director.
With her background in law and her deep formation in Catholic tradition, LaCoursiere has immersed herself in the death penalty debate that has been making headlines since then-Gov. Eric Holcomb announced in June that Indiana would resume executions in Indiana state prisons. Despite opposition from the five Catholic bishops in the state, the ICC and other pro-life advocates, 49-year-old Joseph Corcoran was executed on Dec. 18 for the murders of four people in 1997.
In their recent ICC podcast, LaCoursiere and Mingus discussed the legislation that Rep. Morris introduced two weeks before the execution. House Bill 1030 has undergone its first reading and awaits further action in the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code.
“I’m so inspired by Rep. Bob Morris and the efforts that he has taken to spread the word about how abolition of the death penalty is in line with the pro-life agenda, and all the efforts he’s made to talk to his co-legislators about this issue,” LaCoursiere said.
Mingus helped institute the weekly ICC podcast, ICAN (Indiana Catholic Action Network), four years ago.
“If you haven’t thought much about the death penalty or the Church’s teaching on it, take some time to read about it and to pray about it, just as we have,” Mingus said.
The ICC testified on day one of the legislative session in support of another measure — Senate Bill 11, which would require social media companies to verify parental permission for users under age 16. Its author, Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores), introduced legislation last year aimed at restricting minors from accessing online pornography — a measure that was ultimately signed into law.
“The Catholic Bishops of Indiana, as pastors, are aware of the potential harms of social media and the emerging body of evidence that links mental health issues with social media usage,” Mingus said during a Jan. 8 hearing on the bill in the Senate judiciary committee. “Youth are particularly vulnerable to harm and exploitation online, and we believe this bill makes an important step toward their greater protection.”
Another Catholic lawmaker, Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne), is Bohacek’s co-sponsor on Senate Bill 11 — as well as the primary author of another measure that has the support of the ICC. Senate Bill 142 would automatically expunge, or permanently erase, an eviction from a person’s record after seven years. Under current law, an individual has to proactively apply for an eviction to be expunged — and only after 10 years.
The ICC and other advocates say passage of this bill would open doors for people who face serious challenges in attaining a stable housing situation. A past eviction creates what many call a “Scarlet E,” haunting a tenant for years.
“This would be a preferential option for people who have been struggling with housing,” LaCoursiere said. “Taking an eviction off their record could help them find another rental unit much more easily, or to even open up the possibility for them to one day be homeowners.”
In this long session of the General Assembly, held every two years and culminating in passage of the state’s biennial budget, fiscal matters will be at the forefront. Attaining universal school choice will again be a high priority for the ICC and advocates including the Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA).
Two years ago, the state legislature expanded school choice eligibility to 97 percent of Indiana families. This year, advocates want to see that reach 100 percent, ensuring that any Indiana family can receive a voucher for their child to attend a school of their choice.
LaCoursiere and Mingus encourage the Catholic faithful to stay up to date on the issues and legislation before the General Assembly by joining the Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN). Details can be found on the ICC website.
“To amplify the voice of the Church, we need the engagement of all Catholics in our state,” Mingus said. “We thank everyone who has been active with our ICAN network in the past, and we hope to expand our reach as we work to bring the timeless teachings of the Catholic Church to the public arena.”
For more information, visit www.indianacc.org.