55 Democrats in Congress issue “Catholic Statement of Principles”

A coalition of Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House released an historic joint statement Feb. 28 explaining how the basic principles of Catholic social teaching shape their public policy positions on a wide range of issues such as reducing poverty, improving access to education and health care. and “taking seriously the decision to go to war.”

The statement, organized by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), was signed by 55 of the 72 House Democrats who are Catholic. DeLauro said the signers do not want to see Catholic faith defined solely by "a one-issue, very narrow right-wing agenda,” referring to abortion. In the statement the signers assert that in all issues, "we seek the church's guidance but believe also in the primacy of conscience. In recognizing the Church's role in providing moral leadership, we acknowlegdge and aceept the tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas.”

Signers include high profile pro-choice legislators such as Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), but also strongly pro-life Representatives such as Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and James Oberstar (D-Minn.).

Bishops respond

A week later three USCCB committee chairmen issued a joint response. Cardinals Keeler of Baltimore and McCarrick of Washington, and Bishop DiMarzio of Brooklyn — chairmen respectively of committees on pro life activities, Catholic politicians, and domestic policy — said they welcome the way the legislators connect their faith with their policy choices on many issues. But they also asserted church teaching against all abortion, and said Catholic legislators must shape their consciences in accord with Church teaching. Their statement came out before more right-wing bishops expressed their views. The full document is at www.usccb.org/ catholicspubliclife.shtml

The exchange of statements between the politicians and the bishops is the latest follow-up to the 2004 election-year fireworks when a handful of bishops said they would refuse communion to pro choice Catholic candidates, or urged such candidates not to come to communion in the first place. But DeLauro told the press the statement from the 55 signers had evolved over months, and was not driven by the upcoming mid-term congressional elections.