Reverence for Life
We hold life sacred from conception to natural death. We support policies and services that assist pregnant women to make life-affirming choices.
Assisted Suicide in the News - Again
Sadly, on May 20, 2012, Vermont became the fourth state to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill individuals—but the first in which it was by passage of legislation. In Oregon and Washington, assisted suicide was approved through public initiatives, and in Montana by judicial decree.
California has successfully rebuffed similar efforts to legalize physician-assisted suicide. In 1992, Proposition 161 failed 54-46, and then in 1999, 2006 and 2008, legislative attempts also failed. However, the sponsors of the policy, Compassion & Choices, continue to advocate for it.
Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued this statement following the Vermont decision:
“I echo Bishop Matano of Burlington in calling this a tragic moment for Vermont. It is also a sign of an alarming trend nationwide. In the three states where physician-assisted suicide is now legal, doctors are called upon to destroy life, rather than to save life and provide much-needed comfort in times of pain and distress…The ‘slippery slope’ that critics of the euthanasia agenda have long warned against is in full view here. I invite Catholics and all people of good will to fight the future passage of such laws, which offend human dignity and undermine true respect and care for people with serious illness.”
A Time for Immigration Reform
Archbishop José H. Gomez
(From The Tidings, Southern California's Catholic Weekly)
April 23 marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of César Chávez, the great Mexican-American civil rights leader.
Chávez inspires me. He lived his Catholic faith with deep devotion and courage. And his love for God led him to struggle for justice and dignity for the poor.
It is fitting that we remember this anniversary as Congress begins debating comprehensive immigration reform. The legislation that is being introduced this week in the U.S. Senate is long overdue. Immigration reform is the civil rights test of our generation.
Many people still don’t understand the Church’s commitment to this cause. For me it’s a question of human rights and human dignity. It is a question of who we are as people and as a nation.
It’s true that many immigrants crossed our borders without first getting a visa from our government. Others came in through proper channels but decided to stay after their visas or other temporary permits ran out.
Statement on Immigration Reform by the California Catholic Conference of Bishops
The Most Rev. Gerald Wilkerson, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and president of the California Catholic Conference, released the following statement today in recognition of the historic introduction of immigration reform legislation in the US Senate and rallies taking place throughout California in support of immigration reform:
The California Catholic Conference of Bishops, in solidarity with all the bishops of the nation, applauds the introduction of U.S. Senate bipartisan legislation to reform the broken U.S. immigration system.
Throughout our dioceses, as pastors called by the Good Shepherd to care for those in need, we are sharing our own immigration stories and teaching the principles found in our Catholic Social Teaching.
For many years we have advocated for comprehensive reform of the nation’s immigration laws. Our country has a right and responsibility to protect its borders, and effective immigration laws are part of that enforcement.
Farm Bill: Why the Church Pays Attention
Last year at this time, Congress was preparing to write a new Farm Bill. You may have heard that Congress is still preparing to do so! When the House of Representatives failed to move the Farm Bill along by the end of last year, House and Senate leaders chose to extend the Farm Bill until this September.
I’m happy to report that the Agriculture committees of both the Senate and the House have now marked-up their respective bills. The full Senate is expected to take up the bill immediately, and the House will reportedly do so by this summer. As people of faith, we need to weigh in and voice our concerns.
The U.S. Farm Bill – despite its very abbreviated title – is much more than farm programs. This comprehensive legislation establishes how our nation cares for hungry families (both domestically and internationally), supports growth in our rural communities, promotes renewable energy, encourages land, water and wildlife conservation, and yes, does assist farmers and ranchers.
Survey Shows Strong Catholic Support for Immigration Reform
Nearly eighty percent of Catholic voters support earned citizenship
Most Catholics support the bishops’ call to respect human rights and dignity
Catholics need to contact their legislators
A large majority of Catholics support immigration reform legislation that provides a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country, according to a recent survey sponsored by the Office of Migration Policy and Public Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Overall, 77 percent of Catholic voters support a proposal that allows earned citizenship through meeting requirements like registration, paying a fine, paying taxes and taking English classes, the survey shows.
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, embraced the results of the survey. “It is clear that Catholics understand the importance of this issue,” Archbishop Gomez said. “As an immigrant church, Catholics from all walks of life understand the migration experience and accept the Gospel’s call to welcome the stranger.”