The Catholic Bishops of Washington State applauded the October 11, 2018 decision by the state Supreme Court to abolish the death penalty in Washington. The Bishops have long been on record as opposing capital punishment.

“We applaud the unanimous state Supreme Court decision issued today finding the death penalty unconstitutional,” said Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle. “The Catholic Church’s consistent belief is that every human life is sacred from conception until natural death – it is this principle that has energized our efforts for decades to abolish the death penalty.”

Earlier this year, Washington’s Catholic Bishops provided testimony in support of legislation to repeal the death penalty citing the country’s imperfect record in imposing the death penalty, the potential for racial biases and specific instances where innocent people have been executed for crimes they did not commit. Since 1973, 161 people sentenced to death have been exonerated. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court indicates a move towards greater justice and greater respect for life at all stages.

The Catholic Bishops of Washington State are Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxiliary Bishops Eusebio Elizondo and Daniel Mueggenborg of Seattle, Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane, and Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima.

The WSCC is the public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Washington.

The Pope asks us to pray a Rosary daily that the Virgin Mary protect the Church in these times of crisis, and to pray to St. Michael the Archangel that he defend the Church from the attacks of the devil.

Pope Francis – October 2018

El Papa nos pide rezar un Rosario diario para que la Virgen María proteja a la Iglesia en estos tiempos de crisis, y rezar al Arcángel San Miguel para que la defienda de los ataques del diablo.

Papa Francisco – Octubre 2018

Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary enthusiasm and let us pray that consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.

Pope Francis – October 2018

Religious, with their prayer, poverty, and patience, are essential to the Church’s mission.
More than ever, with the challenges of today’s world, we need their complete dedication to proclaiming the Gospel.
Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary enthusiasm and let us pray that consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.

No nos dejemos robar el entusiasmo misionero y recemos para que los consagrados y las consagradas despierten su fervor misionero y estén presentes entre los pobres, los marginados y con los que no tienen voz.

Papa Francisco – Octubre 2018

Los consagrados con su oración, pobreza y paciencia son esenciales para la misión de la Iglesia.
Más que nunca, con los desafíos del mundo de hoy, necesitamos su entrega total al anuncio del Evangelio.
No nos dejemos robar el entusiasmo misionero y recemos para que los consagrados y las consagradas despierten su fervor misionero y estén presentes entre los pobres, los marginados y con los que no tienen voz.

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Friends on Presidents Day February 18th 2019 we are having ReClaim — a ministry that provides on line support for pornography struggles. We will also have Dr Fernando Ortiz who will address brain chemistry and addiction cycles. This upcoming seminar on October 16th 2018 and October 23, 2018 might be a good preparation as well as an alternative for those away on Presidents’ Day. Many prayers for these ministry initiatives. 

+Bishop

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Formation School of Faith For Leadership and Lay Ministry

These classes are designed for growth in knowledge of our faith, creed and doctrine of the Church.

Led by Bishop Joseph Tyson, the English-speaking Magnificat program is a formation school of faith for leadership and lay ministry. For the 2018-2019 year, the Encuentro process will also be part of the formation program.   

 All classes will be offered at St Paul's Cathedral Building in Yakima,  Saint Joseph School in Wenatchee, or Holy Spirit Parish in Kennewick, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 For questions please contact the diocesan office at 509-965-7117 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Credo ut intelligam, intelligo ut credam”

“I Believe to understand, understand to believe”

Saint Augustine of Hippo

2018 - 2019 Magnificat Schedule

Programa de Formación en la Fe y Liderazco Laico

Estas clases están diseñadas para el crecimiento en el conocimiento de nuestra fe, credo y doctrina de la Iglesia.

Dirigido por el obispo Joseph Tyson, el programa de Magnificat de habla inglesa es una escuela de formación de fe para el liderazgo y el ministerio laico.Todas las clases serán ofrecidas en el Edificio de la Catedral de San Pablo en Yakima, Escuela San José en Wenatchee, o Parroquia del Espíritu Santo en Kennewick, de 9 a.m. a 11 a.m. Para el año 2018-2019, el proceso del Encuentro será parte del programa de formación de 11:30 a.m. a 1 p.m.

Para preguntas, por favor comuníquese con la oficina diocesana al 509-965-7117 o envíe un correo electrónico a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Credo ut intelligam, intelligo ut credam”

“Creo para entender y entiendo para creer”

San Agustín de Hippo

2018 - 2019 Calendario de Magnificat

Friends:

As noted in a recent message from Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the sexual abuse scandal in the Church has been and continues to be a “moral catastrophe.” It summarizes the pain and scandal caused by those clergy and laity ministering in the church who sexually abuse minors and vulnerable adults. Even more the “moral catastrophe” stems from the failure of us as a body of bishops to have better accountability for our oversight of our flock and of each other. I am so very, very sorry. 

I want to uplift Pope Francis’ message for all of us to consider as we work together to create better structures of accountability, especially in the case of bishops who abused minors or failed to act in the face of abuse in their own dioceses. These are moral failures and criminal acts that need careful attention.  Please find attached to this message the following:

Pope Francis Letter to the People of God  ENGLISH | SPANISH

Cardinal DiNardo Message to the U.S. Church  ENGLISH | SPANISH

Be assured of my prayers for all of you. Kindly place in prayer all victims of sexual abuse too. They and the healing of their pain need to remain our key focus. 

+Bishop Joseph Tyson
Diocese of Yakima 

Statement of Bishop Joseph J. Tyson, August 17, 2018
Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report

(haz clic aquí para leer en español)

With the recent allegations of sexual abuse committed by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington, D.C., and the release of a Grand Jury Report involving several dioceses in Pennsylvania, the tragedy of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church is once again brought to light. The sexual abuse of a minor is an intrinsic moral evil and a crime. Anyone responsible for such an act or for shielding those who do, including bishops and other Church leaders, must be held accountable for their actions. I join with other bishops from throughout Washington and the United States in expressing our sincere shame and remorse for the incredible harm these crimes have caused the victims and their families.

The Catholic Church in Central Washington continues its focus on providing a safe environment for all minors and vulnerable adults in our care. Special procedures, training and reporting protocols were adopted in the 1990s. Our policies, training and procedures are reviewed frequently and have been updated several times.

To report any suspicion of abuse by any Church personnel, please contact local law enforcement. In addition, anyone who has knowledge of sexual abuse or misconduct by a member of the clergy, an employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Yakima is urged to call the diocesan hotline at 1-888-276-4490.

As Catholics, we believe that every life is sacred. Each person is created in the image and likeness of our loving God. Violence and abuse of any kind are unacceptable, and we have a serious responsibility to work towards their end. Together, we must do everything we possibly can to protect our children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Dear Friends,

We are here in Rome on pilgrimage and are with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, at his Wednesday general audience. By happy coincidence today marks the start of the Holy Father's global campaign, "Share the Journey," where he invites us to walk with migrants refugees and – in his Spanish comments – "campesinos" – something quite particular to our Diocese of Yakima. Today's kickoff points to a Week of Prayer and Action October 7-13. For an overview of the campaign, including personal stories, click here.  For ideas and resources for Catholic leaders planning events for the week, click here.  For a parish toolkit put together by Catholic Relief Services, click here. For ideas for social media, click here. Para recursos en español, haz click aquí.

Here in the Diocese of Yakima we are uniquely positioned to share the journey as Spanish and English speakers forming a single Church witness. Let's "Share the Journey" with each other – especially the migrants and undocumented as well as those young people impacted by DACA. Many prayers.

+Bishop Joseph Tyson