Advocacy

“As American citizens, we are members of a community of faith with a long tradition of teaching and action on human life and dignity, marriage and family, justice and peace, care for creation and common good. As Americans, we are also blessed with religious liberty which safeguards our right to bring our principles and moral convictions into the public arena. These Constitutional freedoms need to be both exercised and protected, as some seek to mute the voices or limit the freedoms of religious believers and religious institutions.”  – Faithful Citizenship, USCCB

The Respect Life Office offers resources and support to guide pastors and laity to understand more fully the teachings of the Catholic Church with regard to ethics, morality and justice and our responsibilities to upholding those morals for the good of society and in support of religious freedom for our generation and future generations.

For public policy matters in New York State, the state’s bishops have set up the  Catholic Action Network, New York State Catholic Conference (CAN). Register here to receive information and alerts on legislation and other issues.

In the great civil rights struggle to secure the right to life for all, Archbishop John Roach, testifying on behalf of the Catholic Bishops, expressed the guiding vision:

“We are committed to full legal recognition of the right to life of the unborn child, and will not rest in our efforts until society respects the inherent worth and dignity of every member of the human race.”

– November 5, 1981 Statement before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution

The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment here is dedicated to pursuing this vision. The organization’s objectives include educating citizens, developing pro-life legislative networks, and offering programs in support of pro-life legislation. Among its various activities, NCHLA produces educational and program resources, communicates with leaders about legislative priorities, and presents legislative seminars throughout the year. In a special way, NCHLA assists dioceses, state Catholic conferences, and Catholic lay groups. The Committee also works closely with the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. View or register to receive action alerts here.

” An authentic faith – which is never comfortable or completely personal – always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better that we found it. “the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics”, the Church “cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice”. All Christians, their pastors included, are called to show concern for the building of a better world.” –Evangelii Gaudium no. 183

View information on Faithful Citizenship and Political Responsibility Information.