Assistant Editor
When Richard Barnes recently accepted the position of executive director for the New York State Catholic Conference, he walked into a maelstrom.
Just as he was settling into his role as advocate for the state's bishops, the State Senate was passing a bill that would require most Catholic employers to cover birth control in their employees' health insurance.
"I stepped right into the conscience issue," said Mr. Barnes, who had served for 12 years as the Conference's legislative and administrative counsel before becoming interim director in September. The Conference speaks for New York State's bishops on public policy matters.
Mr. Barnes was appointed executive director on Jan. 31, just five days before the Senate vote. Fortunately, his previous work with the Conference prepared him well for his new role.
"For several years now, we have been faced with legislation which will erode Catholic health care in the state of New York," he told The Evangelist. "We have tried to stop this from happening, but [pro-choice] advocacy groups have gained the ear of the State Senate."
The controversial bill now awaits a vote by the State Assembly. In the past, that body of the Legislature has voted to deny any "conscience exemptions" for Catholic employers. The current legislation would require Catholic institutions that employ many non-Catholics -- such as Catholic hospitals, colleges and charities -- to provide contraception coverage for employees. Only dioceses and schools would likely be exempt.
If passed, said Mr. Barnes, the legislation would require Catholic organizations to pay for "services the Church finds morally objectionable."
All people should recognize a religion's right to define itself, he said: "In this case, the state is defining for the Church what religion ought to be. That is unconstitutional and should be fought."
Background
The battle is a test of fire for the new director, who lives in Delmar with his wife, Sheila, and two children, parishioners of St. Thomas parish. Mr. Barnes came to the Albany Diocese from his native Rochester in 1983 to attend Albany Law School.
He started his law career in private practice, but he said it didn't satisfy his vision of what he wanted to do with his life. Instead, he came to the Catholic Conference where he handled the office's day-to-day legal work and oversaw its efforts on public policy issues.
One example, he said, was working with the State Legislature to ensure that Catholic healthcare providers, such as statewide provider Fidelis Care, were included in proposed Medicaid managed-care legislation.
More responsibilities
After a strategic-planning process, the state's bishops decided to combine Mr. Barnes' previous role with that of executive director. His appointment as director means advocating for the Church in the public eye, rather than behind the scenes.
"What's new for me is the more public role of representing the bishops to state leaders," he explained. "I'm in the forefront."
Mr. Barnes plans to take a page from the book of his predecessor, John Kerry, who stepped down as director last year to return to his native state of Maine.
"John had a perspective about the need for personal relationships within the Legislature that won't change," Mr. Barnes remarked. "What will change is growth in grass-roots advocacy."
New direction
Specifically, Mr. Barnes has been asked by the state's bishops to organize a statewide, grass-roots network of Catholics who will advocate for issues of concern to the Church.
"Times are changing," the director stated. "Legislators don't respond any more to the voices of a few," so they need to know a large number of people are behind an issue in order to act on it.
In addition to that duty, Mr. Barnes will oversee the administration of his office, coordinate its public-policy efforts and work directly with the state's bishops to ensure that their concerns are the Conference's priorities.
He will also continue to work with attorneys for New York State's eight dioceses to see that their efforts are coordinated on issues, such as the merger of Nathan Littauer and St. Mary's Hospitals in Amsterdam.
Links to legislators
Although the Conference is often opposed to legislation being considered by state lawmakers, Mr. Barnes said his office has a good relationship with the Legislature -- and he plans to continue that.
"With the conscience issue, there is a need to be firm and tough," he added. "But we also need to keep in mind that we have many other issues [to advocate for]; sometimes, we have to temper our tone."
The director said that he is humbled by his appointment. When he thinks about his new title, he said, "It gives me a great deal of pride. I'm pleased that the bishops have confidence in my abilities."
Promoting someone from within the Catholic Conference's ranks also recognizes their teamwork, he noted: "It's a show of confidence in all the staff, because I've just been a member of a dedicated, hard-working staff."
Roof overhead
While he is already throwing himself into his work, Mr. Barnes did have one simple wish for his time outside the office. An avid gardener and woodworker, he hoped that his duties gave him enough free time to finish some projects as spring arrives.
"I'm hoping to find enough time to put a roof on the garage," he said.
(Visit the Catholic Conference's website at www.nyscatholicconference.org.)