The four bishops of Colorado are pleased to announce that Mrs. Brittany Vessely will be the new Executive Director of the Colorado Catholic Conference. Vessely was the founding director of the national lobbying and policy organization, Catholic Education Partners (CEP), which advocates for legislative support of parental choice in education. Prior to her work at CEP, Vessely served as the Director of State Policy at the Friedman Foundation and as a domestic policy researcher in Washington, D.C.
Archbishop Samuel Aquila, the Archbishop of Denver, and Bishop Michael Sheridan, the Bishop of Colorado Springs, welcomed Vessely’s education expertise and her familiarity with both national and local politics: “Colorado is a state that is important in determining the future of our country, given its evenly divided electorate and its history as a place where new ideas are tested. We look forward to working with her to help build a culture and society that are open to life at every stage and that truly respect the dignity of the human person and the natural family.”
Bishop Stephen Berg of Pueblo said, “I am very pleased to welcome Brittany Vessely into her new role as Executive Director of the Colorado Catholic Conference. She clearly has the energy and passion needed to advance the mission of the Conference in promoting the dignity and rights of all persons, including those who are the most vulnerable. The southern Colorado communities of the Diocese of Pueblo appreciate Brittany’s answering the call to service at this difficult time, and we look forward to our collaboration of our Colorado mission.”
Vessely said she looks forward to bringing her expertise in education policy to the Colorado Catholic Conference while also expanding the scope of issues she is able to work on.
“Colorado is a national leader in state policy and home to a vibrant Catholic community. In many ways, it is the heart of St. John Paul II’s new evangelization in America. I am honored to represent our bishops and our community on legislative issues that impact our lives and families, while also promoting Catholic social teaching and the common good.”
The Colorado Catholic Conference is a united voice of the Catholic bishops of Colorado, that speaks on public policy issues. Basing its mission on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as particularly expressed in Catholic social teaching and the consistent life ethic, the Conference acts cooperatively to insure a dignified and productive life for people of all ages and ethnic groups and provides opportunities for Catholics in Colorado to carry out their responsibility to participate in political life. These dioceses serve more than 1 million Catholics in the Centennial State.