Religion meets politics for “Catholics at the Capitol” lobby day.

Approximately 350 Catholics from around the state will be in the capitol city to talk with their legislators about current issues in the state budget as well as issues of ethical and moral implications.

“Catholics understand that this is a tight economy and that the people are stressed and those are the issues we’re talking about.”

Wisconsin Catholic Conference Executive Director John Huebscher (pronounce) says folks from Wisconsin’s parishes, hospitals, schools and catholic charities will talk about issues with a message of hope, which is needed in these poor economic times.

“Protect the poor and vulnerable. Don’t cut the programs that poor people need to get by — things like Medicaid, BadgerCare, Wisconsin Works, the Parental Choice Program.”

Huebscher says there’s a theme of affirming the life and dignity of the human being. He says Catholics want support for women facing pregnancies, health care reform, and regulating the pay-day lending industry. President Barack Obama recently announced federal funding for stem cell research. Huebscher says that subject will be discussed within a broader theme of human life.

“Part of our message in affirming human life is ethical research on embryos and any other human beings, and in our issue brief on human life issues. Certainly the funding of research that destroys embryos would be part of that.”

Former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan has become somewhat of a superstar, but is New York-bound and won’t be making an appearance at the Monona Terrace Conference Center on Tuesday.

NOTE: Bishop Paul Swain of South Dakota, formerly of Madison, will speak at the event.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:33 MP3)

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