The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) recently published a reflection by Catholic Education Partners Director of Policy and Outreach Shawn Peterson, who recently completed his service as Minnesota Catholic Conference Associate Director for Public Policy on July 12.

Entitled "Promoting the Common Good Is Not a Spectator Sport," Peterson's article stated that he believes part of the parental duty is to ensure that children are given access to good Catholic education, which will help to build a more fair society and further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

“After five very blessed years as associate director for public policy with the Minnesota Catholic Conference, I have decided to pursue a new opportunity with Catholic Education Partners, an organization whose mission is to advance public policies that empower families and children to enjoy the benefits of a Catholic Education,” Peterson wrote. 

Shawn Peterson | https://www.dioceseduluth.org/

As he leaves the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Peterson wanted to share his thoughts on the importance of promoting truth. He explained that there have been a number of small changes over the years that have led to larger developments. 

“First, consider the Prenatal Trisomy Diagnosis Awareness Act, a law which now requires doctors to provide expectant parents with accurate, and often more positive, information regarding the outcomes for babies diagnosed with Trisomy conditions,” Peterson wrote. 

Trisomy babies would normally be candidates for abortion as doctors put pressure on mothers who fear having a child with a serious health condition. 

Secondly, Peterson wrote, the New Farmer Tax Credit supports new farmers to take up the vocation, which is a massive help to rural communities. 

Thirdly, there is a bill being proposed to showcase the link that pornography has to human trafficking. 

“MCC worked shoulder to shoulder with Breaking Free, an organization that helps rescue victims of sex trafficking,” Peterson wrote. “This group of brave women were willing to come forward and share their very painful stories in a public forum so that others might not have to experience what they did.”

Peterson explained that even the smallest acts can result in significant change and that the Church plays an important role in speaking for the unheard. 

“In addition to the crucial role that citizen involvement plays, I have also witnessed the effectiveness of the Church’s institutional voice in public advocacy,” he wrote. 

Finally, Peterson explained, the passage of a $100 per month increase for families enrolled in the Minnesota Family Investment Program will help many in need of help.

“After 33 years of inaction and partisan divide, both parties came together to pass a long-overdue increase for struggling families, which I believe is in no small part thanks to the Church’s efforts,” Peterson wrote.