Catholic World News News Feature

Catholic Democrats assert "primacy of conscience" over Church teaching March 01, 2006

A group of Catholic members of the US House of Representatives has issued a "Statement of Principles" in which they claim a "commitment to the basic principles at the heart of Catholic social teaching," but refuse to accept the Church's opposition to legal abortion.

The "Statement of Principles" was released on February 28, and signed by 55 of the 72 Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives. The group professes its commitment to carrying out Catholic social teaching in many ways: "reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war."

The Democratic group goes on to acknowledge "the undesirability of abortion-- we do not celebrate its practice." But the statement says that although they recognize the Church's teaching authority the lawmakers "believe also in the primacy of conscience." Acknowledging the "tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas," the legislators leave it clear (if not explicitly stated) that they will not attempt to end legal abortion.

The "Statement of Principle" does not mention other controversial issues on which Democratic lawmakers have often clashed with Church teachings, such as euthanasia, embryonic research, and government recognition of same-sex unions.

The statement was issued from the office of Connecticut's Rep. Rosa DeLauro. The others signing the statement were:

1. Joe Baca
2. Xavier Becerra
3. Robert Brady
4. Michael Capuano
5. Dennis A. Cardoza
6. Wm. Lacy Clay
7. Jim Costa
8. Joseph Crowley
9. Peter A. DeFazio
10. William Delahunt
11. Rosa DeLauro
12. Mike Doyle
13. Anna Eshoo
14. Lane Evans
15. Charles A. Gonzalez
16. Raul M. Grijalva
17. Luis V. Gutierrez
18. Maurice Hinchey
19. Tim Holden
20. Patrick J. Kennedy
21. Dale E. Kildee
22. James R. Langevin
23. John B. Larson
24. Stephen Lynch
25. Edward J. Markey
26. Jim Marshall
27. Carolyn McCarthy
28. Betty McCollum
29. James P. McGovern
30. Cynthia McKinney
31. Marty Meehan
32. Michael H. Michaud
33. George Miller
34. James P. Moran
35. Grace Napolitano
36. Richard E. Neal
37. James L. Oberstar
38. David R. Obey
39. Frank Pallone
40. Bill Pascrell
41. Ed Pastor
42. Nancy Pelosi
43. Silvestre Reyes
44. Lucille Roybal-Allard
45. Tim Ryan
46. John T. Salazar
47. Linda T. Sanchez
48. Loretta Sanchez
49. Jose Serrano
50. Hilda L. Solis
51. Bart Stupak
52. Gene Taylor
53. Mike Thompson
54. Nydia Velazquez
55. Diane Watson