To help Catholics practice “faithful citizenship” during the post-election period of 2005 and beyond, several
committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are initiating issue campaigns. These campaigns
will include materials for parishes and dioceses so that the Catholic community can learn about and act on key
public policy issues that affect human life and dignity.
Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty
As the response to the brutal tsunami in Asia shows, Americans are generous people. But our generous responses when
disasters hit other parts of the world are not sufficient to address the pervasive, long-term poverty experienced by our
brothers and sisters around the globe. We must also work against the causes of global poverty so that those who are
currently poor can live in dignity.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) invite Catholics
throughout the U.S. to join us in our Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty as we advocate for U.S. policies that
foster economic and social development for people living in poverty around the world. The campaign focuses on three
areas of U.S. economic policy: trade policies, development aid, and international debt relief. A wide range of resources
for parishes and dioceses are being developed.
For information on the campaign, after March 1 go to www.usccb.org/
globalpoverty or www.catholicrelief.org/globalpoverty.
Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty
Catholic teaching on human life begins with the belief that life is a gift from God that is not for us to take away. As it is
applied to the death penalty, our teaching is complicated but clear. The Church has long acknowledged the right of the
state to use the death penalty in order to protect society. However, in recent years Pope John Paul II, the Catechism of
the Catholic Church, the Vatican Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, and statements from U.S.
bishops have been increasingly clear and consistent that the use of the death penalty ought to be abandoned in our nation
because we have alternative ways to protect society.
The Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty will begin with an effort to educate Catholics about
Church teaching on the death penalty so that they can more fully understand why Church leaders speak out in opposition
to its use. A wide range of materials are being developed for use in parishes and dioceses. Opportunities to advocate
against the use of the death penalty at the state and national levels will also be identified. Additional information can be
found after March 1 at www.usccb.org/sdwp.
Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform
“We stand in solidarity with you, our migrant brothers and sisters, and we will continue to advocate on your behalf for
just and fair migration policies… We pray that, wherever you go, you will always be conscious of your dignity as human
beings and of your call to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ, who came that we ‘might have life and have it more
abundantly’ (Jn 10:10)” (Catholic Bishops of Mexico and the U.S., Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of
Hope, No. 106).
A Catholic Campaign on Immigration Reform will soon be launched by Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, in conjunction with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Catholic Relief
Services, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Health Association, and other Catholic agencies. The campaign is designed to
help educate Catholics on Church teaching about immigration and to advance immigration reform legislation in the Congress.
A wide range of resources will be developed to help dioceses and parishes educate Catholics on immigration issues,
the teachings of the Church, and the elements of a just immigration reform proposal. The contact for the campaign until
March 15, 2005, is Kevin Appleby, MRS, at 202-541-3260.
Health Care for All Campaign
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is launching an effort to unite Catholics around a common message: In this, the
wealthiest of nations, it is unacceptable that so many people do not have access to affordable health care. The Health
Care for All Campaign will bring this message to policy makers.
The Catholic bishops have long supported the goal of access to affordable health care for all. To move towards that goal,
the USCCB’s Office for Domestic Social Development will develop a campaign to educate and motivate the Catholic
community about the need for fundamental reform of our health care system.
Working with our colleagues at Catholic
Health Association, Catholic Charities USA, and our partners in other Catholic organizations we will produce educational
and advocacy materials on health care and the uninsured for use in parishes and at diocesan events. Through these
efforts Catholics will gain a greater understanding of Catholic social teaching, including our teaching that health care is a
human right. We hope to prepare Catholics to advocate for (1) continued public commitment to health care for low
income children and families, the elderly, and people with disabilities; and (2) changes in our health care system – from
small improvements to major restructuring – that will lead to health care for all.
Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land
“Peacemaking is not an optional commitment. It is a requirement of our faith” (The Challenge of Peace, No. 333).
There is no greater need for a commitment to peacemaking than in the Holy Land, which has been torn by violence for so
many years. The Catholic Campaign For Peace in the Holy Land is an opportunity for diocesan leaders to work with
Jewish, Muslim, and other Christian leaders in their communities in a coordinated effort to promote peace in the Middle
East. Once this project is established at the diocesan level, opportunities for involvement by individuals and parishes can
be developed. Information on the campaign, including prayer resources and background materials, can be found at
www.usccb.org/sdwp/holylandpeace.
Campaign Not to Adopt a Litmus Test for Judicial Nominees
Today some insist that support for or against Roe v. Wade is a necessary condition for even being considered for a federal
judicial position. On Jan. 6, Cardinal William Keeler, Chairman of the bishops’ Pro-Life Committee, urged U.S. Senators
not to adopt a pro-Roe v. Wade litmus test. The Committee has invited dioceses, parishes and Catholic organizations to
send a similar message to their Senators. In response, many parishes and others will take part in a nationwide postcard/
e-mail campaign. The target date: April 9-10, 2005 (the date in your area may be different to accommodate local needs).
For information about the campaign contact the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, 733 15th St., N.”W.,
Suite 926, Washington, D.C. 20005. After mid-March, go to www.endroe.org or www.nchla.org.
