Tennessee bishops, students attend annual faith-based event at state Capitol
By Katie Peterson / Tennessee Register
The values of the Catholic Church were topics of discussion with several state legislators during Catholic Day on the Hill at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Feb. 26.
The three bishops of Tennessee—Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, and Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville—as well as diocesan leaders throughout the state, Catholic Charities leaders, and Catholic school students from Father Ryan High School in Nashville and Pope St. John Paul II Preparatory School in Hendersonville met with representatives of the House and Senate during Catholic Day on the Hill activities.
This included meetings with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Rep. Gino Bulso, Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. William Lamberth, and many more.
Two issues were at the forefront of the various meetings: the recent passing—and future implementation—of the Education Freedom Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Lee on Feb. 12, and the immigration reform bill, which Gov. Lee also signed on Feb. 12.
Education Freedom Act
The Education Freedom Act will make Education Freedom Scholarships available to fund private-school tuition and other related education expenses statewide in the 2025-26 school year, regardless of family income.
As a result of the new law, more Tennessee families will have an opportunity to choose a Catholic education for their children at one of the more than 40 Catholic schools across the state.
“We believe we change the whole family for the better,” said Bishop Spalding of the work being done in Catholic schools, when thanking legislators for passing the bill.
“My hope is that those who have really been supportive of the voucher program for education will feel our sense of support and gratitude for the work that they did,” added Bishop Beckman.
Bishop Talley noted his gratitude in having so many Catholic students present during the day, including students from the Diocese of Memphis’ Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, St. Francis of Assisi School, and St. Benedict School.
“It is so important that the students at our schools are coming up here and seeing the Capitol and how we govern ourselves through citizen participation in government,” Bishop Talley said. “That’s so, so important.”
Immigration
While the Church supports the nation’s right and duty to control its borders, the Church also wants to ensure that policies put in place respect human dignity and provide a clear, humane pathway to legal status and citizenship for those who have built their life in the United States.
Additionally, while these policies are solidified, the hope is that ministries, such as Catholic Charities, which focuses on resettling those who are legally in the United States, will not be penalized. Catholic Charities only serves refugees who are vetted and approved by the federal government before entering the country and are in the United States legally.
“We don’t want to criminalize the corporal works of mercy,” Bishop Spalding said. “We must always keep in mind human dignity, the goodness of each and every person, and we start from that basic principle before we make any policy, any guideline, any law.”
“My hope is that we are able to approach this issue in a very humane and just way that will have a positive impact on those involved,” Bishop Beckman added.
“The Catholic Church has a long tradition of being engaged through the social Gospel of caring for those in need, especially the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death,” Bishop Talley said. “That is rooted in our call to see each other as children of God.”
Bishop David P. Talley of the Diocese of Memphis, left, Bishop Mark Beckman of the Diocese of Knoxville, center, and Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville sit together while meeting with state Rep. Gino Bulso. (Photo The Tennessee Register/Katie Peterson)
Reflections
Catholic Day on the Hill was led by the Tennessee Catholic Conference and organized by Rick Musacchio, executive director, and Julie Perrey, deputy director of the faith-based organization.
“We’re very pleased with the day. We had a great turnout of students particularly,” Mr. Musacchio said. “The legislators always like seeing students. It has a great impact.
“Catholics make up such a small part of the state population, but everybody is so welcoming here, particularly the governor and leadership of the House and the Senate chambers,” he added. “It was a very effective day as we were able to bring Catholic values to the Tennessee government.”
When the day concluded, students, teachers, and the bishops said they found the day meaningful and edifying.
“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to experience and see what occurs in our state government,” said Joselyn Angel, a senior at Pope St. John Paul II Preparatory School. “It was very insightful to see how the system functions and gain a better understanding through a closer perspective, especially during the committee meetings.
“Having learned about these systems in my U.S. government class, it was fascinating to get a firsthand look as to how things operate,” she added. “It was also very beautiful to see how the Tennessee bishops and the Church are involved in our government in order to advocate for the people and its needs. I am very grateful for the opportunity to experience this day.”
Molly Bound, a Pope St. John Paul II social studies teacher who accompanied Joselyn and 12 other students, said she was very proud of her students.
“It’s critical for our students to see the Catholic Church and its theology as living—our faith will call us into the public square over the course of our lives,” Ms. Bound said. “The opportunity to see the Tennessee bishops actively participating in governmental discussion is something I hope will shape the students’ perception of the relationship between faith and action going forward. I hope the students were able to see just how much dedication is required for maintaining a democracy.”
“Every state representative, senator, and staff member at the Capitol has entered into a longstanding tradition of legal and normative standards that make our unique democracy possible,” she added. “The mere fact that we were able to watch our legislators at work is a testament to the American project and its commitment to participation and transparency.”
Don Thielke of the social sciences department at Father Ryan High School, who brought seven honors students, shared many of Ms. Bound’s sentiments.
Bishop Spalding speaks with students from Pope St. John Paul II Preparatory School before the group heads to Capitol Hill in Nashville. (Photo The Tennessee Register/Katie Peterson)
“Our current political atmosphere and situation are in intense disorder, and adults might not be able to return to rational decision-making soon enough (or ever) in the current generation of politicians and voters. The youth are ‘our hope for the future.’ This phrase has been much-used in the past, but it is more true now than ever before,” Mr. Thielke said. “Youth must be taught critical thinking skills, how to take responsibility onto themselves for separating fact from fiction and be exposed to and understand the nuances of decision-making processes and issues that, in the real world, have a massive impact on the lives of virtually everyone in this country and millions (or even billions) of people worldwide.”
Bishop Beckman, who participated in Catholic Day on the Hill for the first time since being ordained and installed in July, said he appreciated the civility of the conversations they had with legislators.
“One of the things that has very much impressed me is how open our government leaders are to listening and to allowing the concerns that we’re bringing to the table to be heard, so I’m very grateful for that,” Bishop Beckman said. “To experience firsthand their thoughtful nature, how deliberative they are, and their concern for the good of all the people of Tennessee gives hope.
“We as Catholics, because of many centuries of reflection on the wisdom of how to structure human society with our social teaching, bring to the table good, solid principles that can also help form decisions that are made by the government.”
Bishop Spalding, who participated in Catholic Day on the Hill for the third time, said it always turns out to be a positive experience.
“It’s been an adventure each and every time,” he said. “We have a good presence here on the hill and that’s thanks to Rick and Julie. They are giving us a voice for our Catholic people and our Catholic principles.”
