Respect Life Month 2002 and the Elections

[The following fax was sent to every Catholic parish in the United States in September 2002.]

The Priests for Life association respectfully urges all our brother priests to use Respect Life Month, October 2002, to prepare our congregations for the midterm elections. See our website for homily hints, intercessions, and bulletin inserts. We will also send you free materials. More info at

www.priestsforlife.org/elections

The Message. Our bishops have written, "We urge our fellow citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest (Living the Gospel of Life, n.34). We must address many issues, "Yet abortion and euthanasia have become preeminent threats to human dignity because they directly attack life itself, the most fundamental human good and the condition for all others" (n.5).

Please note that the 2001 revision of the Bishops' Pastoral Plan for Pro-life Activities explains the consistent ethic of life and states, "Among important issues involving the dignity of human life with which the Church is concerned, abortion necessarily plays a central role. Abortion, the direct killing of an innocent human being, is always gravely immoral (The Gospel of Life, no. 57); its victims are the most vulnerable and defenseless members of the human family. It is imperative that those who are called to serve the least among us give urgent attention and priority to this issue of justice. This focus and the Church's commitment to a consistent ethic of life complement one another."

The Activities. We invite you to visit the US Bishops' website to see the memo of the General Counsel regarding what activities are permitted under law. The following quotes are taken from the latest such memo (full text is at www.nccbuscc.org/ogc/guidelines.shtml).

"Educating Candidates on Issues. During election campaigns, Catholic organizations may educate candidates about the issues and attempt to change candidates' positions on these issues."

"Educating Voters. During election campaigns, Catholic organizations may educate voters about the issues. In addition, they may educate voters about candidates' positions on the issues, through such activities as sponsorship of candidate forums, and distribution of voter education materials, including incumbents' voting records and the results of candidate polls or questionnaires. Such activities, if unbiased in content, structure, format, and context, will not violate the political campaign activity prohibition."

"Nonpartisan Voter Registration/Get-Out-the-Vote Drives. Both IRS and the Federal Election Commission [11 C.F.R. §114.4(d)] permit Catholic organizations to sponsor voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, provided that no bias for or against any candidate, political party, or voting position is evidenced."

Faxed from 718-980-6515. Order materials at (718) 980-4400, ext. 237.