August 24, 2026

WCC Announces New Leadership and Staff

Incoming Executive Director David Earleywine (right) and Associate Director Ryan Keisling (left)

The Wisconsin Catholic Conference announced today that Executive Director Barbara Sella will retire on August 31, 2026. Associate Director David Earleywine will succeed her as Executive Director. The WCC has also hired Ryan Keisling as a new Associate Director.

Sella has faithfully served the WCC since 2002, serving as the WCC’s executive director for the past four years. During her time, she helped advance the WCC’s mission to coordinate various interdiocesan activities and collectively represent the five Roman Catholic dioceses of Wisconsin on a statewide level, including advocating for public policy positions that reflect the teachings and values of the Catholic Church.

David Earleywine has served as Associate Director at the WCC since 2022 and has been responsible for education and religious liberty issues. He holds a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Earleywine serves on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Religious Practices Advisory Committee and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Advisory Committee on Catholic Education Policy. As Executive Director, Earleywine will also assume the role of Chair of the Board of Directors of the Church Unemployment Pay Program, Inc.

On September 1, Ryan Keisling will join the WCC as Associate Director, having previously studied at St. John Vianney Seminary, where he double majored in Philosophy and Catholic Studies. He later was a SALT missionary at Camp Gray and then Coordinator of Youth Ministries at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, Archbishop of Milwaukee and President of the WCC Board, said, “The bishops are deeply grateful for Barbara’s service to the Church and they welcome David and Ryan to their new positions at the WCC. Their excellent training in law and Catholic Studies will serve the Church well in the coming years. Together with Associate Director Tia Izzia, they will work to advance human dignity and the common good at the State Capitol.”

Stopping Assisted Suicide Legalization in Wisconsin

Hear from the experts as this timely conversation will examine key issues, real stories from patients, and provide an opportunity to learn more about how assisted suicide could impact patients, families, and healthcare in our state. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, advocate, caregiver, or simply interested in learning more, we hope you’ll join us for this informative discussion hosted by the Patients Rights Action Fund.

Wisconsin Primary Results

The General Election is coming up on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. MyVote Wisconsin is the State of Wisconsin’s official website for voting. There you can register to vote, check your voter registration status, see what’s on your ballot, find your polling place, and more.

In the meantime, explore the WCC’s Faithful Citizenship resources to learn more about Catholic teaching on public policy and voting issues.

U.S. Bishops’ Initiative to Inform Communities on the Danger of Abortion Pills Includes Prayer, Education, and Advocacy

The Food and Drug Administration has enabled a nationwide mail-order abortion industry by allowing abortion pills to be prescribed in telehealth appointments and sold both at neighborhood pharmacies and online, circumventing state laws that protect life in the womb. This leaves women vulnerable to suffering an abortion alone at home, without any medical supervision. It also sets up additional opportunities for exploitation by violent partners or human traffickers.

As trusted providers serving patients and communities, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens should not be dispensing abortion drugs. Change is possible – so far, several grocery stores and “big box” stores with pharmacies in them, as well as many other online pharmacies, have chosen to not get into the business of abortion. Take action below to tell major companies that sell or distribute the abortion pill to change course.

More Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

• Bishop Garcia Underscores the Significance of the Voting Rights Act and Encourages Recommitment to the Work Which Remains
• Bishop Zaidan Calls for Prayer and Expresses Hope for Success of Peace Agreement in Gaza
• U.S. Bishops’ Solidarity Fund Answers Holy Father’s Call to Unity with the Church in Africa
• “Acts That Diminish or Disregard the Dignity of Any Person or Group of People Should Never Be Normalized in Our Society,” Say Bishop Garcia and Bishop Cahill
• Pope Leo XIV Sends Letter to the American People Marking the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States

For the USCCB’s current federal action alerts, click here.