April 6, 2026

On Easter, Pope Leo Calls for Peace in the Risen Christ

Christ, our “victorious King,” fought and won his battle through trusting abandonment to the Father’s will, to his plan of salvation (cf. Mt 26:42). Thus he walked the path of dialogue to the very end, not in words but in deeds: to find us who were lost, he became flesh; to free us who were slaves, he became a slave; to give life to us mortals, he allowed himself to be killed on the cross….

Brothers and sisters, this is the true strength that brings peace to humanity, because it fosters respectful relationships at every level: among individuals, families, social groups, and nations. It does not seek private interests, but the common good; it does not seek to impose its own plan, but to help design and carry out a plan together with others….

On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil. To the Lord we entrust all hearts that suffer and await the true peace that only he can give. Let us entrust ourselves to him and open our hearts to him! He is the only one who makes all things new (cf. Rev 21:5).

Spring Election is Tuesday, April 7

Find information on voting in the WCC bulletin insert Wisconsin Voter Information. The WCC offers resources on Faithful Citizenship to help Catholics form their consciences and evaluate candidates and policies on important issues. These include:

• A letter from Wisconsin’s bishops and an overview of Catholic Social Teaching
• Our Call as Catholic Citizens bulletin insert with how to evaluate candidates and policies on important issues
• Frequently Asked Questions on Catholic Social Teaching
• WCC Guidelines for Church Involvement in Electoral Politics
• The U.S. Bishops’ statement, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States
• And more.

All WCC Faithful Citizenship resources, including Spanish versions, can be found at wisconsincatholic.org/fc.

Governor Vetoes Bill Protecting Wisconsin Children from Online Pornography

Pornography is contrary to human dignity, causing those who view it to treat people like objects for personal gratification. What makes online pornography so different today than in the past is that children do not have to go looking for it. Nearly every child has a smartphone and nearly all online pornography access (97%) comes from smartphones. Despite filters and parental settings, the pornography industry often is able to get around these and ensnare children. Tragically, the average age of first exposure to pornography is 11 years old. Without meaningful laws like AB 105, children will continue to be harmed by pornography despite parents best efforts.

The harms of pornography are magnified in kids. In the short term, children who use pornography often experience loneliness, shame, withdrawal from social events, and other negative effects. Long term, pornography consumption by children is linked to poor mental health, sexism, objectification, sexual violence, and more. As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote, “Seeing [pornography] steals their innocence and gives them a distorted image of sexuality, relationships, and men and women, which may then affect their behavior. It can also make them more vulnerable to being sexually abused, since their understanding of appropriate behavior can be damaged.”

Half of all U.S. states have already adopted laws similar to AB 105. There is no good reason why Wisconsin should not be among them. Child protection should take precedence over adult personal pleasure seeking and privacy concerns. It could be years before tech companies implement device-based age verification, if ever, and in the interim thousands of children will continue to be harmed. Read the Governor’s veto message.

Governor Vetoes Bills Affecting Children’s Health & Safety

AB 104 (Scott Allen, R-Waukesha / Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee) prohibits gender transition surgery and other medical interventions such as puberty blockers for minors. The WCC testified in support because every human being is made in the image and likeness of God and is deserving of dignity, respect, and compassion. The Church simultaneously recognizes the anguish of children as they wrestle with severe gender dysphoria, as well as their parents. Walking alongside those who are struggling, especially those considering self-harm or suicide, is critical. Children must be accompanied with compassion and truth rather than encouraged to upend the natural functioning of their human bodies. AB 104 and similar bills are needed so that children experiencing gender dysphoria are given the time, space, and support they need to mature naturally into adulthood. Read the Governor’s veto message for AB 104.

AB 100 and AB 102 (Barbara Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc / Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield) designate K-12 sports teams and college sports teams by sex assigned at birth. Under the bills, teams must be designated all male, all female, or co-ed. The WCC testified in support of the bills, affirming that education and sports policies must uphold human dignity. All students have the right to participate in or try out for activities in accord with their biological sex. Here too, compassion must be shown to every student. As the USCCB wrote in a recent letter to Congress:

In education and in sports, we must seek to avoid anything that debases human dignity, including rejection of a person’s body or unequal treatment between men and women. This has particular relevance in athletics, where male competition in activities designated for women and girls can be both unfair and, especially in high-contact sports, unsafe. It is true that some women have excelled in these events with men. But any time a policy facilitating such male competition takes an athletic opportunity away from a female, it is a loss for basic fairness and the spirit of Title IX.

Read the Governor’s veto messages for AB 100 and AB 102.

Governor’s Action on Previously Reported Bills

Drone Operation ▲ Registered in support
SB 519 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 530 (Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay)
The bill prevents drones from being flown over a school without permission of the school district/governing board or with certain exceptions (e.g. police chief can allow it for active manhunt).
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 189

Governor Issues Executive Order on Commutations of Sentences

Executive Order #287 creates a Commutation Advisory Board that will hold hearings to review applications and make non-binding recommendations to the Governor. Executive Order #288 creates a specific commutation process designed for youth offenders who are sentenced to life in prison.

Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

• Archbishop Coakley Emphasizes Support for Holy Father’s Renewed Call for Peace in Iran
• Bishop Thomas Supports Bill to End FDA Approval of Chemical Abortion Pills

To take action on the USCCB’s current federal action alerts, click here.