Virginia Catholic Conference

Who We Are

In late 2004, Virginia’s Catholic bishops founded the Virginia Catholic Conference to represent them and their dioceses of Arlington and Richmond by advocating for public policy that reflects natural law, advances human dignity and serves the common good. The Conference primarily addresses policy issues considered by the Virginia General Assembly and state agencies. In addition, the Conference supports the efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which addresses federal policy issues considered by the U.S. Congress and executive branch in Washington, D.C. 

What We Do

Led by Diocese of Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Diocese of Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout, the Conference advocates for:

Respect life initiatives that protect human life and dignity in every stage of development and circumstance, from conception until natural death.

Social justice initiatives that protect the rights and serve the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable members of the human family, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees.

Family life and education initiatives that preserve and support religious liberty, the institution of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, the family and parental choice in their children’s education.

Human Life Action

Since our founding in 1974 we have:

  • Enabled the grassroots to advocate at the federal level for pro-life legislation;

  • Educated citizens about the need for a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution;

  • Created pro-life legislative networks to assist dioceses, state Catholic Conferences, and Catholic lay groups;

  • Worked closely with the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in support of their pro-life legislative agenda.

On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court in its Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions legalized abortion on demand. Today, the threats to human life, born and unborn, not only continue, but have expanded to include attacks on our freedom of conscience. It is wrong for government to force Americans to violate their religious and moral beliefs in respect for life. The need for concerned citizens to speak out is greater than ever.