Catholic around the Diocese of Peoria will be urged to enroll in a new statewide informational effort called the Illinois Catholic Advocacy Network, or “I-CAN,” during the approaching “Fortnight for Freedom.”

Cards explaining the network and encouraging sign-up have been sent to every parish. Those taking part will receive occasional email updates from the Catholic Conference of Illinois on pending legislation and other actions of concern to Catholics.

“Lay Catholics need to become more engaged with state and federal policies that affect the church and her mission,” wrote Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, in a letter to all pastors in the diocese. The loss of state foster care and adoption contracts for Catholic Charities and the current HHS insurance mandate “highlight the need for Catholics to be informed about the church’s role in the public square,” he said.

More information on I-CAN is available online at www.ilcatholic.org.