Call to Safety and 2026 Child Welfare Legislation

The basis of our faith, beginning with creation through the progress of God’s offer of loving relationship with humanity, has always been covenantal.  God has historically entered into mutually respectful covenants with his creation over millennia, described in the Old Testament, and finally, once and for all, through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The goodness of creation affirmed, and the sin of humanity acknowledged, God has given his Word once, of unconditional love for all his children, and salvation for those who acknowledge and turn to him.  However, evil still has power in this world.  We see challenges in society where we must not only acknowledge that forces are moving swiftly to break God’s covenant of love, but also that these forces will tear apart our society. 

Last week I sent out an advisory on September 16^th titled “When You See Something, Say Something” concerning the senseless violence, acts of terror and school shootings, attacks and killings in places of supposed safety, health and learning.  Please refer to that article for resources available such as the anonymous tip line safe2Tell.org, coloradocrisisservices.org, and bha.colorado.gov/988.  We cannot simply wait for administrative remedies to this situation.  We have a covenant in faith to be our brothers and sisters’ keepers, to watch out for signs of danger, and report.  Refer to the prior LG article for more information at www.diopueblo.org/post/when-you-see-something-say-something.

"We see challenges in society where we must not only acknowledge that forces are moving swiftly to break God’s covenant of love, but also that these forces will tear apart our society."

Further, as your shepherd, I speak to you about urgent matters where we can influence other important needs for the safety of all God’s children by answering our call to covenant through legislative action.  Announcements are being made in all parishes and signatures requested for the protection of our children, the safeguarding of parental rights and the defense of the truth about the human person as God created us.  I, together with my brother bishops of Colorado, am asking you to support three important citizen initiatives:

• First, to strengthen penalties against the human trafficking of minors.

• Second, to ensure fairness and safety in school sports by affirming the reality of male and female. 

• Third, to protect children from irreversible medical procedures that attempt to change their God-given biological sex.

  
  

The commitment to protect children through a Safe Environment Program in the church community has borne extraordinary fruit for the Diocese of Pueblo and its parishioners, over three decades, in protecting children, hearing his Word proclaimed, and renewing our covenant.  This protection must now be expanded to address new dangers for children and their families.   The abuse, experimentations, and consequences of procedures being visited on innocent and vulnerable children are all our concern.

"Announcements are being made in all parishes and signatures requested for the protection of our children, the safeguarding of parental rights and the defense of the truth about the human person as God created us." 

To place these measures on the 2026 ballot, thousands of signatures are needed.  Please check your parish bulletin to see which weekend you may volunteer and help.  If you are a registered voter, I urge you to sign these petitions after Mass as it will be made available.  If you are not yet registered, please do so and then sign.  You can refer to the joint bishops’ letter on 2026 Colorado ballot initiatives by visiting www.diopueblo.org/post/bishop-berg-pulpit-announcement-on-2026-colorado-ballot-initiatives.  

The means by which violence seeks to divide and destroy the world come from all directions, internal and external, and by all means, but most dangerously by stealth.  Violence against the human person, whether from terror or attacks on the integrity of the human person as created by God, always has consequences:  Division, confusion and despair.  As Christians we have entered into covenant with God, baptized into Jesus Christ, for the purpose of the salvation of our immortal soul.  Let us remember that Christ died for all the children of God and work to bring safety to our children. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg

Bishop of Pueblo