By Natalie Romano
Wildfires, raids, and robots with AI…
These are just some of the challenges facing diocesan leaders today as they try to serve the faithful. While fixing those problems may require forward thinking solutions, they also need to be solutions rooted in a timeless resource of the Church - Catholic Social Teaching.
That was the prevailing theme for the 2025 Summer Leadership Summit hosted by the California Catholic Conference (CCC) June 3-5.
Every year, the legislative arm of the California bishops works to inform and uplift diocesan directors wanting to grow in their ministry.
For new participants, the summit was an eye-opening experience.
“We are responsible for educating ourselves and our community on the bigger picture, on the bigger issues the Church could have a say in,” said Karen Flores, Coordinator of the Diocese of Oakland’s Office of Marriage and Family Life. “I learned we’re not just alone in this, in our own dioceses, we have this extended peer support network…We can try, we got this!”
Flores was one of some 40 diocesan leaders who attended the summit held at the Hilton Embassy Suites Riverfront Promenade in Sacramento. The event specifically targeted directors of “outward serving” ministries like Social Action and Restorative Justice in order to help them navigate - through the lens of faith - pressing social issues and public policy critical to the state’s 12 million Catholics.
This education was achieved through high profile speakers and a hands-on Advocacy Day at the state capitol. Summit attendees, representing each of California's 12 dioceses, also enjoyed networking, Mass, and a dinner with Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto. CCC leaders call this year’s summit a particular success.
“We had the most effective Advocacy Day so far with just shy of 50 legislative meetings,” said Kathleen Domingo, Executive Director. “It was a good opportunity to meet with new (legislative) members and be some of the first voices those members heard from the Church or any faith community…I also thought the (summit) topics were timely…and are going to have real impact on people’s ministries and lives.”
The CCC’s primary purpose is to act as the public policy voice for the state’s Catholic Church. The staff engages with government officials to promote legislation or programs that follow the bishops’ vision and Catholic Social Teaching (CST).
During the summit, this teaching was explained by Robert Nalewajek from Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, Inc. (CAPP-USA), a Vatican-affiliated organization that encourages Catholic values in public life. Nalewajek stressed that the most important principle is that every person is created in God’s image and likeness, and therefore has inherent dignity.
The second principle, Solidarity, notes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all people which requires us to care for one another.
Finally, the third principle, Subsidiarity, addresses how and at what level decisions should be made, meaning problems are best solved where they occur.
Nalewajek says too many of the faithful are unfamiliar with Catholic Social Teaching but believes that could soon change.
“That’s how lay people are challenged to form their consciences - on the basis of Catholic Social Teaching - but who knows what that is?” questioned Nalewajek, Executive Vice President. “...I have a lot of hope for [Pope] Leo’s pontificate with his focus on Catholic Social Teaching.”
Living out CST is part of the daily work of Erin Barisano Ed. D. from the Diocese of Orange. As Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Barisano provides young people with a strong religious foundation but says that doesn’t happen by being timid.
“We need to make sure that we’re not afraid to say who we are and what we stand for. I feel so passionately about that,” emphasized Dr. Barisano. “I think for a long time, as people of faith we haven’t wanted to rock the boat…and in doing so, we run the risk of not being true to our own values. Sometimes that takes courage. That’s okay. We can work as a group, for the group. That's the solidarity part.”
One of the most relevant and well-attended presentations was on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The discussion was led by Father Philip Larrey, Ph.D., a professor of philosophy at Boston College and an international expert in the ethical implications of AI.
Like Nalewajek, Fr. Larrey is hopeful that under Pope Leo XIV, who chose his name because of this “new industrial revolution”, the Catholic Church can work with AI developers in an effort to use the technology to enhance human life, not destroy it; a fear among some in the field as AI capabilities grow.
“Even conservative voices are saying in three to four years we’ll have an AI which can do any cognitive task that humans can…,” said Fr. Larrey. “I know there’s a huge tendency to give up control because AI’s are becoming faster, more efficient…but we as the human race have to keep control over the AI’s.”
Continuing in the CST principle of seeking The Common Good, the CCC led a training session in advance of Advocacy Day. Domingo gave attendees insight on how to effectively speak with lawmakers while Samara Palko, Linda Wanner and Molly Sheahan coached attendees on current bills. Some of the most notable were Assembly Bill 379, which would make purchasing a minor for sex a felony, which the CCC supports, and Senate Bill 403 that would remove the sunset date for the End of Life Option Act, which the CCC opposes. Sheahan says the preparation allows the group to participate in the legislative process with purpose and confidence.
“Diocese leaders have a unique space and voice, they have knowledge of the community from which they come and they're able to speak on behalf of that community,” pointed out Sheahan, Associate Director For Healthy Families. “...I hope that they are able to leave empowered, knowing that their voice does make a difference.”
The next day, attendees headed to the offices of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers urging them to vote with the CCC. Wilfredo Aguirre from the Diocese of San Bernardino was surprised by his meeting with GOP State Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, saying the former Marine and pastor suggested they start with prayer and later spoke about the importance of religion in his work.
“It was a really good experience. It’s one that I haven’t had in all the years that I have been coming up here,” shared Aguirre, Director of Advocacy and Justice for Immigrants. “It showed that people can conduct a political life and yet continue their faith.”
Public Affairs consultant Jackson Gualco does just that, only taking clients that align with his Catholic faith. Gualco, who is also a deacon, hosted a reception for attendees after the legislative meetings. He spoke on the importance of on-going dialogue with political leaders.
“As for one-off experiences, I don’t think there’s a long-standing benefit but if there’s an effort to follow up and stay engaged, yes, then definitely there’s impact,” explained Dcn. Gualco. “...I do encourage parishes to invite elected officials to come to events like the pancake breakfast the Boy Scout troop is doing or the barbecue hosted by the Knights of Columbus…It’s a time to establish relationships. People are hungry to know there are decent folks out there who want to do the right thing.”
Earlier in the summit, Dcn. Gualco spoke about California’s water supply issues. He was joined by other panelists including Isaac Cuevas from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Cuevas detailed this year’s devastating L.A.- area wildfires that wiped out communities like Altadena. He urged the crowd to consider what should be done before the next disaster strikes.
“Many people in our pews, in our churches, are very big on this idea of defending life. One of the most essential things for life is water,” said Cuevas, Director of Immigration and Public Affairs. “We need to have equity in access to water. What are we doing to ensure that the right people have a seat at the table when decisions are being made?”
The water discussions were thought provoking for Deacon Jewel Gentry. Originally from Riverside, he now serves in the Diocese of Monterey. Dcn. Gentry says he’s glad he came to the summit.
“There were a lot of great connections between the different dioceses which I thought was powerful,” described Dcn Gentry, Director of Diaconate Formation and School of Ministry and California Missions Coordinator. “I got to see some people that I’ve worked with on other issues. It was a moment to reconnect and learn more about what they’re doing now. I also learned the work of the Catholic bishops is immense and much larger than I expected.”
Kiona Medina from the Diocese of Oakland said after the event, she felt spiritually renewed and professionally recharged.
“I was inspired to continue building relationships with colleagues from other dioceses,” said Medina, Coordinator, Life and Social Justice Ministry. “That was the biggest takeaway; realizing that in an age of robots and machines, what makes us humans is how we accompany each other with vulnerability.”
Attendees had the opportunity to interact with the local bishops on several occasions. Sacramento Auxiliary Bishop Rey Bersabal welcomed them during Mass at the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament on June 6 while Bishop Soto participated in the afternoon panel discussions on June 3 and later joined attendees for dinner. Bishop Soto says the summit, which took place during this Jubilee Year, reminds us to be “pilgrims of hope”.
“We must always discern the signs of the times in the hopeful light of the gospel,” stated Bishop Soto. “Only in this way may our words and actions reflect the mind and the heart of the Lord Jesus. This is how we serve the common good.”
At the end of the summit, the CCC presented the Bishop David O’Connell Memorial Service Award. This year’s winner was Miriam Sammartino from the Diocese of Sacramento. The honor comes with $250 that Sammartino donated to her ministry. Years ago, she met Bishop O’Connell at a restorative justice retreat and says she couldn’t believe it when her name was mentioned with his.
“I was in complete shock. I think my jaw literally dropped,” chuckled Sammartino, Director of Catholic Charities and Social Concerns. “I’m very much a background person. But if my work is being seen as embodying [Bishop O’Connell’s] way of doing things, his focus on people, then I feel like I’m doing okay. It’s a huge validation.”
The Summer Leadership Summit was sponsored by Catholic app Hallow along with Catholic Mobilizing Network, RCL Benziger and Leverage IT Consulting.
Domingo hopes the summit has a lasting effect on the hard working employees that serve California’s bishops.
“It’s a really tough job for which there’s not a lot of training so this is an opportunity to come together, get to know each other and exchange ideas…I just really hope they can carry this into their work.”
Natalie Romano is an award-winning freelance writer based in Southern California.