By Ernest Ohlhoff, NRLC Director of OutreachOn October 4th, in advance of the 2012 elections, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a press release in which the U.S. bishops reaffirmed their 2007 document Forming Consciences for Faithful and added an new Introductory Note.
The Introductory Note to the 2011 reissued document “urges Catholics to bring moral principles to political choices.” It focuses on the highest areas of concern and the need to “shape their choices in the coming election in the light of Catholic teaching.”
The October 4th press release clarifies the importance of forming conscience based on Catholic moral teaching when making decisions on political issues of intrinsic evil facing our democracy, and “warns against misguided appeals to ‘conscience’ to ignore fundamental moral claims.”
Forming Consciences and Faithful Citizenship specifically states that, “Not all issues are equal.”
In the final section of the document – Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials, the Bishops state:
“Catholic teaching challenges voters and candidates, citizens and elected officials, to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of public policy issues…Not all issues are equal…Some involve matters of intrinsic evil that can never be supported….”
The first issue Catholics should ask candidates is how they intend to “Address the preeminent requirement to protect the weakest in our midst—innocent unborn children—by restricting and bringing to an end the destruction of unborn children through abortion.”
The first paragraph of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship identifies Catholics responsibilities “in the coming election cycle and beyond, as the continuing teaching of our Bishops’ Conference and our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy.”
The document specifies “…current fundamental problems, some involving opposition to intrinsic evils.” The first concern cited is “abortion and threats to the lives and dignity of the vulnerable, sick, or unwanted.”
Since abortion laws began to be weakened in the late 1960’s, the Catholic Church has been in the forefront of the pro-life battle.
The Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities was first issued on November 20, 1975. The architect of the plan was Terrence Cardinal Cooke who was the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee for Pro-Life Activities. The cornerstone of the Plan was to encourage the formation of parish pro-life committees which would directly involve and support the laity in grassroots efforts to change public policy in favor of overturning Roe v Wade and restoring legal protection for unborn children. In 1985 and 2001 the Pastoral Plan was revised, strengthened, and reissued.