ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ CALLS ON CALIFORNIA CATHOLICS TO SUPPORT EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR CHURCH WORKERS
March 21, 2020  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

Archbishop José H. Gomez is asking California Catholics to support extending unemployment benefits to Church workers under federal emergency legislation addressing dislocations caused by the coronavirus epidemic. Currently, non-profit employees in multiple states do not have access to state unemployment insurance. Faith communities are urging Congress to provide emergency disaster unemployment assistance to workers that are not covered by state unemployment insurance.

“As we know, the impact of the coronavirus emergency is being felt profoundly in our Catholic community. Nationwide, the Church has been forced to suspend worship services and close schools and other important offices and ministries, effecting tens of thousands of our employees,” said Archbishop Gomez. “Please join me in asking Congress to extend unemployment benefits to Church workers who might need this relief. Let us stand together in solidarity for our brothers and sisters in this time of trial and need.”

California Catholics are asked to contact Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris as well as local representatives today, to make sure they are aware of this problem of non-profit employees in multiple states who do not currently have access to state unemployment insurance, and to ask that they support an effective solution.

For more information and assistance in contacting state senators and local representatives, please visit:https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/CACATHOLIC/Campaigns/72781/Respond?fbclid=IwAR2V9NMzKFqkG9XPbYc-Xi6ioKyGYXuoY3WxWTrV8xY0-xQvTfJO20Q_S8Y

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