a_

Not liberal.

S.

The Right to Lifeand Dignity of theHuman Person

Call to FamilY,

Community, and

Participation

Rights andResponsibilities

Not conservative.

Option for the Poor

and Vulnerable

Dignity of Workand Rights ofWorkers

Solidarity

Caring for God'sCreation

Gatholic citizenshiP& your voteWe have a dual heritage as both faithful Cath-

olics and American citizens. As Catholics, our

baptismal commitment to bear public witness to

the values ofJesus Christ requires our active Par-ticipation in the democratic life of our nation. As

Americans, we have a serious moral obligation

to vote. This brief insert is intended as a starting

point to help us respond to our choices in the

current political landscaPe.

Innocent human life is destrqrcd by abortion, euthanasia, "fertility treatrnents" sudt as

in-vitro fert'rlization, orperimintation using stem cells from human embryos, and clo-ning

to manufacturc humantody parts. Catholic teaching about the sanctity of human life

also leads us to oppose the death penalty, genocide, torture, unjrlst wars, and economic

policies that ignore the needs of the poor and vulnerable'

The family,which emerges from marriage between a man and awoman, is the original

and basic unit of societf Social and economic policies should work to strengthen the

family rather than weaken it.

Everyhuman being has the right to life and to religious fo:do_*.Everyone has a right to

,"f*e to particrp# in actionJcontrary to one's religious beliefs andto share and defend

orr",, .r""d andloral principles in thi public forum. Everyone has the right and duty to

participate firlly in all aspects of life: political, social, cultural, and economic.

We must have special concern and c-harity toward the unbom, persons with disabilities,

the dying, refirgees, long-term unemployed, prisoners, and dl who are marginalized in

o* ,r"aio'r, a"d-b"yond. Today, the situation of immigrant workers is especially urgent'

Economic justice includes the opportunity for dignified work at wages sufficient to

support a family,wodqlace s"fety, and th9 right to take time for religious obserr"ances'

Wtit r"r also have the duty to provide a fair day's workfor a fair dayt pay.

Loving our neighbor has global dimensions and requircs us to eradicate racism and addrcss

th" gx,i"rn" poLrtf ""d

&sease plaguing so much of the world. We are called to welcome the

stranger among *, i"a"ai"g i**igr.rrts seekingwork, a safe home, education for their dril-

dr"nit d "

d"J"t t fife for their families.We are called to promote peace and pursue j*ti*'

As stewards, not orners, of the earth, people have an obligation to cherish and care for

the environment The earth yields forth many resources needed for human fourishing,

op""i"Uy *ogy and the .rpoity to produce food.These precious resources must be used

p*a""tty, f"irfi safely, and with a constant concern for future generations.

Sponsored by South Carolina Catholic Conference :k 901 Orange Grove Road * Charleston, SC 29407 * www'sccatholicconference'org

.rr but every issue is not equal.Issues that direcdy afiect human lives, such as abortion and eutha-

nasia, are fundamental and demand serious consideration.

Our Constitution heralds religious liberty in the First Amendment,yet increasingly people of faith are having to fight to retain this basic

right.Our nation has redefined marriage. The marriage of a, man and a

woman is the foundation of the f"*ily and an essential core element

of a fourishitg society.

The growing disparitybetween rich and poor means most of the

world's resources are in the hands of a, small percentage of its people.

The federal budget is a moral document and we prioriize the poor-est and most wrlnerable arnong us.

The millions of undocumented persons living in the United States

deserve our compassion. Our immigration system is broken, and we

need a humane solution to it.W*, terror, and violence have caused thousands of lost lives. We

must work for just solutions to conflict in the Holy Land, tluough-out the Middle East, and beyond.

As Catholic citizens, weshould remember threethings:L. Respect for the figrity of each person is the core of Catholic social

and moral teaching. This is our most basic principle.2. We focus on the corrmon good, not our own personal interests.

We ash how can we make the world a better place? Not, how can Iimprove my own personal situation?

3. We have a responsibility, a true obligation, to form our consciences

and particrpate in the civic life of this nation.

Sponsored by South Carolina Catholic Conference * 901 Orange Grove Road *

Here are ways to formour consciences andpafticipate in civic life:

o Be tme to the teachins oftheChurch. Read Scripture, th. Cat-echism of the Catholic Church,teachings from the Holy See, and

the statements of otrr bishops. Read

"Formitg Consciences for FaithfulCitizenrhip" at faith fulcitize nship. org.

We need to be sure that our reason-

irg and j*dg*ents are well-groundedin our faith.

' Staywell-informed about issues

through judicious and reasoned

engagement with the immense worldof information in the 21st century.

Just as all issues are not equal, allsources are not equal. For example,

an individual's blog, while potentiallyvery insightful ,ffiLy not have thesame fidelity to factual truth as ourmedia sources that hold themselves toprofessional standards of j ournalisticethics, imperfea though they are.

' Remain in contactwith otrr repre-sentatives in local, state, and federal

government. Our responsibility toform our consciences leads to an

obligation to be active citizens.

' Engage in reasoned, comPassionate,and loving dialogue with others,Catholics and non-Catholics alike,

about the issues and choices that we

are facrng as a nation. Remember thatwe are all called fust to witness theGospel, md tluough that witness, toshare our social teaching to highlightthe moral dimensions of issues, and

to participate in debate on publicpolicy.

Charleston, SC 294AT * w\Mw.sccatholicconference.org