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Cry of the Poor |
"How can it be that even today there are still people dying of hunger? Condemned to illiteracy? Lacking the most basic medical care? Without a roof over their heads? . . .
"Christians must learn to make their act of faith in Christ by discerning His voice in the cry for help that rises from this world of poverty."
Pope John Paul II
Novo Millennio Ineunte, no. 50
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Why register? |
All Christians and people of all faiths are welcome here!
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hugetim's Blog |
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Website:
Description: Catholics for Democracy is an organization inspired by Howard Dean's directness and hope for change in this country (though gravely disapproving of his position on abortion). We want to apply a similar directness and hope in proclaiming the whole of Catholic teaching related to all political issues, from abortion to war to health care. We will promote awareness of Catholic teaching and support candidates with Catholic positions across the board.
Last update: 1 min 55 sec ago
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 Ratzinger: Catholics can vote Democrat! |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Sun 18 Jul 2004 - 21:47 h |
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This great news was reported in the "Signs of the Times" in the most recent issue of America Magazine. Spread the word!
"...Two U.S. bishops, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis and Bishop Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs, recently said that Catholics who knowingly vote for pro-abortion politicians would be committing a grave sin.
Cardinal Ratzingerâs note underlined the principles involved for the Catholic voter. âA Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidateâs permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia,â Cardinal Ratzinger wrote. âWhen a Catholic does not share a candidateâs stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons,â he said. In other words, if a Catholic thinks a candidateâs positions on other issues outweigh the difference on abortion, a vote for that candidate would not be considered sinful." |
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Catholic Teaching · John Kerry · Abortion
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Forced Abortions in America: an Epidemic? |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Wed 14 Jul 2004 - 17:13 h |
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This news release is from the Elliot Institute, which works to make compassion for women central to the pro-life movement. Their key point here is that "30 to 60 percent of women having abortions feel pressured to do so by other persons." This is an issue about which all Americans ought to be able to agree--we have to do something! (For starters, the Elliot Institute suggests legislation that requires abortion providers to screen patients for evidence of coercion.)
Note: I am taking this report and its citations at face value. If anyone has evidence contrary to their claims, please let me know.
Forced Abortions in America: The Hidden Epidemic
Springfield, IL (July 12, 2004) -- The epidemic of coerced, unwanted abortions is rarely reported. Yet every week, thousands of girls and women face threats and abuse from people who want them to abort without regard for their own feelings or desires... |
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Minimum Wage |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Sun 11 Jul 2004 - 20:00 h |
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The Good Shepherd Sisters' National Advocacy Center reports:
"On April 29th, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative George Miller (D-CA) introduced the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2004 (S. 2370/H.R. 4256). This legislation would raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.00 per hour over a two year period and follows many previous attempts by Senator Kennedy and others to pass an increase. The bill currently has 26 co-sponsors, though it remains unlikely that the Senate leadership will allow consideration of it this year. However, Senator Kennedy has announced plans to offer the bill as an amendment to other legislation as soon as possible."
Why should we increase it?
"The current minimum of $5.15 per hour provides only $10,712 per year in income for a full time (40 hours per week), year round worker â nearly $5,000 below the federal poverty guideline for a family of three."
Keeping in mind:
"Contrary to the stereotype of the minimum wage worker as a teenager working at a fast-food restaurant, more than two-thirds of those affected by an increase in the minimum wage are adult workers age 20 and over. In addition, despite claims from opponents of an increase that raising the minimum wage will hurt businesses and cause job losses, studies following previous increases have found no such detrimental effects. Rather, newer economic models suggest that when workers earn higher wages, businesses frequently experience less labor force turnover, lower training costs, and better motivated workers. Moreover, increasing the minimum wage adds to the purchasing power of low-income families who are more likely to spend additional earnings on necessary good and services, putting their increased earnings right back into the economy."
And NETWORK reminds us:
"Within its Catholic social justice tradition |
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4th of July Minute Meditation |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Sun 4 Jul 2004 - 16:24 h |
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Here's a quick prayer for Indpendence Day from the Franciscans at AmericanCatholic.org.
Celebrating Liberty
We pray to you, Author of Liberty,
For peace as we work for justice,
For justice as we work for peace,
So that there may be
Liberty for all.
Amen.
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Trade Issues--HUGE Importance |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 20:27 h |
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Here's one issue for which there is a huge difference between Bush and Kerry that most people are not aware of: international trade. When the topic does come up, the only relevant question for the campaign seems to be how trade affects U.S. jobs and our economy. However, as Christians and especially as members of the Catholic, or universal, Church, we must be equally concerned about how international trade affects our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
Here's some good introductory information I've found on two key elements of international trade issues: the World Bank and CAFTA. We'll address the question of where the candidates stand later. |
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Evangelicals Acknowledge Christian Social Teaching! |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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The Good News to be proclaimed in full! How wonderful to see people more committed to the Gospel than to political ideology. I have to quote this blessed news in full (with my sparse emphasis added):
Evangelical association rethinks its agenda
By Larry B. Stammer
Los Angeles Times
06/21/2004
LOS ANGELES - The National Association of Evangelicals is circulating a draft of a groundbreaking framework for political action that strongly endorses social and economic justice and warns against close alignment with any political party.
Steeped in biblical morality and evangelical scholarship, the framework for public engagement could change how the estimated 30 million evangelicals in the United States are viewed by liberals and conservatives alike. |
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Making Sense of Santorum |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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I've been waiting for this: the spin on Sen. Rick Santorum's "vigorous" campaigning for pro-choice Judiciary Committee member Sen. Arlen Specter over a pro-life challenger.
www.ncregister.com/current/0620lead1.htm
Santorum is a hero to conservative Catholics, as he votes with Catholic teaching 88% of the time on pro-life issues, while ignoring it on other issues (which tend not to match up with conservative ideology), consistent with Catholic Social Teaching only 23% of the time on domestic issues and 6% of the time on International issues. (click here for the documentation)
Apparently, in Santorum's judgment, there can be reasons gravely important enough to justify voting for a pro-choice candidate over a pro-life candidate. I certainly agree, though I don't know enough to judge his specific choice of Specter over pro-life Tooley. |
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Bogner on Bishops' 10 Questions |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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Study of Catholic Voting in Senate |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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Senator Dick Durbin, D-ILL
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has released study of how the voting records of Catholic Senators match up with positions the U.S. Bishops have taken on specific legislation. The entire study is available to the public (scroll to the bottom of his press release for the link), and it is well-documented, informative, and generally well-done, as far as I can tell. One of the most impressive features is that it openly acknowledges life issues as the most important and gives them a place of prominence in a seperate category. Check it out and let us know what you think. |
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Context for Communion Controversy |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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Crisis in Sudan |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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A List of Catholic Issues |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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Here's a list of the bold-faced phrases in the Bishops' Moral Priorities for Public Life for this election cycle. Consider it a refresher or a guide to the issues you may need to brush up on:
human life
abortion and euthanasia
cloning
assisted suicide and euthanasia
intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks
biotechnology
avoid war
preemptive or preventive use of force
nuclear weapons
landmines
global trade in arms
death penalty
marriage
just wages
children
education ... |
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Dems Devise Catholic Voting Scorecard |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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The Hill reports that some Catholic Democrats in Congress are developing a scorecard to rank adherence to Catholic political positions as articulated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
While it is wrong to consider all issues as having equal importance and it is important to keep in mind that this scorecard has been designed by Democrats and may be tilted slightly in their favor by leaving out issues like school vouchers, this is a very welcome step toward increasing awareness that Catholic teaching pertains to more than two or three issues.
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USCCB sponsors Cover the Uninsured Week |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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I almost missed it! This is the final day of Cover the Uninsured Week, which the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is sponsoring for the second year. Here's the joint-statement they endorsed:
For People Without Health Insurance: A Call to Care
WHO NEEDS CARE?
In 2003, nearly 44 million Americans lacked health care coverage, an increase of more than 2 million in just one year; nearly 44 million uninsured Americans need care. Most of the uninsured-eight out of 10-are in working families; America's uninsured workers and their families need care. |
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Catholic Candidate Makes Dean Dozen |
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Item submitted by Unregistered on Fri 2 Jul 2004 - 12:41 h |
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Richard Morrison is running against Tom Delay, the House Majority Leader, in Texas District 22. As for as I can tell, he is the only Catholic member of the Dean Dozen. The question for us is: how well does he represent relevant Catholic teachings? Are his positions consistent with Catholic teaching? If not, does he at least exhibit awareness of them?
We can start with Richard Morrison, but we have much more work to do. There are hundreds of Catholics in Congress and undoubtedly hundreds more running for office in November. Let's identify some who are consistent with Catholic teaching across the board and support them however we can. Dennis Kucinich two years ago (before he switched his position on abortion shortly before announcing his presidential candidacy) was a fantastic example of a Catholic Christian who steadfastly and consistently stands for the poor and vulnerable. Let's find others like him. |
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