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:
- Joe Baca
- Xavier Becerra
- Robert Brady
- Michael Capuano
- Dennis A. Cardoza
- Wm. Lacy Clay
- Jim Costa
- Joseph Crowley
- Peter A. DeFazio
- William Delahunt
- Rosa DeLauro
- Mike Doyle
- Anna Eshoo
- Lane Evans
- Charles A. Gonzalez
- Raul M. Grijalva
- Luis V. Gutierrez
- Maurice Hinchey
- Tim Holden
- Patrick J. Kennedy
- Dale E. Kildee
- James R. Langevin
- John B. Larson
- Stephen Lynch
- Edward J. Markey
- Jim Marshall
- Carolyn McCarthy
- Betty McCollum
- James P. McGovern
- Cynthia McKinney
- Marty Meehan
- Michael H. Michaud
- George Miller
- James P. Moran
- Grace Napolitano
- Richard E. Neal
- James L. Oberstar
- David R. Obey
- Frank Pallone
- Bill Pascrell
- Ed Pastor
- Nancy Pelosi
- Silvestre Reyes
- Lucille Roybal-Allard
- Tim Ryan
- John T. Salazar
- Linda T. Sanchez
- Loretta Sanchez
- Jose Serrano
- Hilda L. Solis
- Bart Stupak
- Gene Taylor
- Mike Thompson
- Nydia Velazquez
- Diane Watson
