Our Bishops Speak on Political Responsibility, Abortion,
and the Elections

Statements of Individual Bishops

Joint Statement from Bishop Kevin Farrell and Bishop Kevin Vann to the Faithful of the Dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth (October 2008)

Archbishop Burke laments the "party of death" (October 2008)

Statement for Respect Life Sunday 2008 - Bishop Martino of Scranton, PA (September 2008)

Our Cherished Right, Our Solemn Duty - Catholic Bishops of New York State on Voting (September 2008)

Statement for Respect Life Sunday, 2008 - Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-life Activities (September 30, 2008)

Forming our consciences so that we vote with faith - Bishop Aymond, Bishop of Austin, TX

Response to Remarks of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi - Bishop Jerome E. Listecki
The Bishop of the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, drew attention to the irony of Pelosi's recourse to theology, in order to throw doubt on the findings of science, that life begins in the womb at the moment of conception.

Let us Love One Another - Bishop Richard G. Lennon
The Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, responds to Pelosi's implication that when life begins is still a matter of controversy in Catholic teaching. In fact, there is no dispute: Human life begins at conception.

Judging the Candidates - Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio
The Bishop of Brooklyn comments first on the importance of clarity in the answers of those running for political office, then criticizes Speaker Pelosi for professing to be an "an ardent and practicing Catholic" while espousing views contrary to the teaching of the Church.

Nancy Pelosi's Misinformed Comments - Bishop Samuel Aquila
Bishop Aquila, of Fargo, North Dakota, in an Aug. 26 letter to priests, deacons, seminarians and others, noted that Pelosi's comments on abortion and Catholic teaching, were misinformed and likely to lead to confusion on Catholic teaching.

Statement on Speaker Pelosi's Comments on Abortion - Archbishop George H. Niederauer
This statement of 5 September, by the San Francisco Archbishop, included an invitation to Speaker Pelosi to confer with him as her Bishop, which she is reported to have accepted.

On Pelosi's Abortion Remarks - Cardinal Francis George
Here is the response of the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago to the recent comments of Speaker Pelosi on abortion, Catholic teaching on the beginning of life, and other life issues.

Our Moral Responsibility as Catholic Citizens -- joint statement by Most Rev. Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas and Most Rev. Robert Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph (pdf format) (September 2008)

Statement on Senator Biden's Recent Comments on Church Teachings on Abortion -- Bishop W. Francis Malooly
The Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, responds to Senator Biden's remarks. (September 2008)

Thoughts on Life Issues and Faith Education -- Bishop R. Walker Nickless
The Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, discerns an incoherence in Senator Biden's position that, while he believes with the Church that life begins at conception, he may not impose his faith on others.

Senator Biden's Statements on Abortion and Pluralism -- Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. & Bishop James D. Conley
In this statement, the bishops correct the errors of teaching and fact in Senator Biden's comments that could confuse and scandalize the faithful of the Archdiocese of Denver. (September 2008)

Response to Pelosi, Biden Abortion Remarks -- Bishop Edward Slattery
The Bishop of Tulsa, Oklahoma, addresses fallacious statements made on Meet the Press by both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Joseph Biden. (September 2008)

Faithful Citizenship: Abortion - September 2008 -- Bishop Thomas Wenski
The Bishop of Orlando reminds his readers that Bishops speak for the Church, not politicians who happen to be Catholic. (September 2008)

Statement on Meet the Press Comments by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - Bishop David A. Zubik
The Bishop of Pittsburgh added his rejection of Speaker Pelosi's confused summary of Catholic teaching on abortion. (September 2008)

Abortion and Other Issues in an Election Year -- Bishop William Murphy
The Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, responds to Speaker Pelosi's comments. (August 2008)

Bishop of Sioux City Corrects Pelosi on Church Teachings on Abortion -- Bishop R. Walker Nickless,
The Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, lists five universal, non-negotiable principles, rooted in the teachings of Christ. (August 2008)

Statement Challenging Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Statement On Abortion -- John C. Nienstedt, Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis (August 2008

Catholic Church Clear on When Human Life Begins -- Bishop Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, Louisiana. (August 2008)

Modern Look at Abortion Not Same as St. Augustine's -- Bishop Robert Vasa, Bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon

In Response to House Speaker Pelosi's Remarks Concerning Abortion -- Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, S.T.D., and Bishop Oscar Cantú, D.D., Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas (August 2008)

Catholics who support abortion should not receive Communion -- Archbishop Raymond Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (August 2008)

On the Courage to be Christian -- Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. - Archbishop of Denver (August 2008)

Statement concerning remarks made by the speaker of the House of Representatives -- Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York (August 2008)

Catholic Bishops Slam Pelosi for Abortion Comments -- Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Doctrine (August 2008)

Archbishop Wuerl on the Church's Constant Teaching on Abortion -- Archbishop Donald Wuerl - Archbishop of Washington (August 2008)

On the Separation of Sense and State -- Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. - Archbishop of Denver (August 2008)

Thoughts on "Roman Catholics for Obama" - Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. - Archbishop of Denver (PDF format)

Archbishop Charles Chaput: Serious Catholicism for a serious election by George Weigel

Homily by the Most Reverend William E. Lori, S.T.D., chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Doctrine (January 2008)

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility -- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 2007 [PDF format]

News Conference Remarks -- His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, S.D.B., Vatican Secretary of State (August 8, 2007)

Celebrating 125 Years of Faith in Action [PDF format] -- His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, S.D.B., Vatican Secretary of State (August 8, 2007)

Catholic Politicians Criticize Pope -- Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Patterson, NJ (June 19, 2007)

Without a Doubt: My R.S.V.P to Rudy Giuliani -- Bishop Thomas Tobin, Bishop of Providence, RI (May 31, 2007)

Oral Report to the USCCB June 2006 Meeting: Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians -- Cardinal Theodore McCarrick

Elections, Conscience and the Responsibility to Vote - Catholic Bishops of Illinois -- October 2006 (PDF format)

Catholics in the Public Square (2006) -- Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted

Archbishop Joseph Naumann: Catholics called to bring faith to bear on public issues -- September 15, 2006

Considerations Regarding the South Dakota Abortion Bill Referendum [part 1] and [part 2] -- Bishop Blase J. Cupich, S.T.D., Bishop of Rapid City, SD.

Moral Principles for Catholic Voters -- From the Bishops of Kansas, 2006 (PDF format)

Cardinal Arinze comments on pro-choice politicians and Holy Communion -- November 14, 2005

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput - National Catholic Prayer Breakfast - Washington, DC, May 20, 2005 (PDF Format)

Statement of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts on the Election of 2004 - October 29, 2004

Opposition to Abortion More Than an Article of Faith -- Bishop Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington - October 21, 2004

Political year offers opportunity to renew our efforts to build a Culture of Life -- Bishop Thomas, Helena, Montana - October 15, 2004

On the Litany of St. Thomas More, Martyr and Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers -- Most Reverend Michael Saltarelli, Bishop of Wilmington - October 2004

Statement from Archbishop Jerome Hanus in response to comments made by Sister Michelle Nemmers at Democratic Rally in Dubuque, IA - October 31, 2004

Pre-Election Letter to the People of Arlington -- Bishop Paul S. Loverde - October 28, 2004

Politics And Logic -- Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli of Paterson, New Jersey - October 26, 2004

Bishop Calls Abortion 'Greatest Evil of Our Age' -- Bernard W. Schmitt
Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston - October 20, 2004

Faith and Patriotism -- Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver - October 22, 2004

Church and State -- Bishop William E. Lori, S.T.D - September/October 2004
Part I; Part II

Catholic participation in political life, revisited -- Francis Cardinal George, OMI - October 10, 2004

Pastoral Letter on Election 2004 -- Bishop Raymond J. Boland and Bishop Robert W. Finn - October 7, 2004

Respect Life Homily -- Bishop F. Joseph Gossman - October 3, 2004

On Our Civic Responsibility for the Common Good -- Archbishop Raymond L. Burke - October 1, 2004

Denying Holy Communion: A Case History -- Bishop Rene Henry Gracida - October 2004 [pdf version]

Let’s make a deal: Catholic conscience and compromise --
Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Denver - September 22, 2004

A Voter's Guide: Pro-choice candidates and church teaching -- Archbishop John J. Meyers, Archbishop of Newark - September 17, 2004

A Letter to Catholic Politicians and Public Officials on the Subject of Abortion and the Law
-- Bishop David Ricken -- August 2004 Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

A Letter From Most Reverend John F. Donoghue Archbishop of Atlanta on Conscientious Voting - September 16, 2004

Integrity and the Political Arena -- The Most Reverend Lawrence E. Brandt, JCD, Ph.D. - August 10, 2004

Archbishops encourage Catholics to be informed, vote wisely -- Archbishop James P. Keleher and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

Statement of Bishop Rene Henry Gracida on the 2004 Presidential Questionnaire -- August 10, 2004

Statement of Bishop Robert Carlson on Catholic teaching on abortion and political beliefs --August 2004

Worthy to Receive the Lamb: Catholics in Political Life and the Reception of Holy Communion -- Archbishop Donoghue, Bishop Robert Baker and Bishop Peter Jugis

Bishop Peter Jugis explaining in a sermon why he signed a recent statement barring pro-abortion Catholics from communion -- August 8-9, 2004

Statement by Bishop John Yanta regarding politicians and communion -- July 18, 2004

Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - July 2004

Religious Convictions and Public Policy -- Archbishop Henry J. Mansell - Diocese of Hartford, CT (June 2004)

Sign of Faith -- Bread of Life- A Statement by Arcbishop Brunett of Seattle

Catholic Politicians are called to be "Pro-Life"! -- Bishop Bernard Harrington

Bishop Michael Saltarelli's Statement on Catholics in Political Life issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops