Media Resources/Articles
In preparation for the 2008 U.S. elections, experts at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have drafted essays on several topics to guide voters in decision-making. Interviews can be arranged by calling USCCB Office of Media Relations, 202-541-3200. You may also print these articles in your publications with a credit line or byline of “United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.”
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Articles
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Church Urges Humane, Comprehensive Solution to Immigration Issue "It is imperative that both parties and both chambers of Congress work hard to produce a bill that creates an immigration system predicated on the rule of law and that upholds values all Americans cherish—hard work, opportunity, and compassion.” J. Kevin Appleby holds a law degree from the University of Maryland, and a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University. He has spoken on immigration issues to local and national groups. |
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Voting by Conscience"Conscience insists that human dilemmas are moral concerns long before they are political points of view." Father J. Brian Bransfield is from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and was ordained in 1994. He studied moral theology with a specialization in marriage and family at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, and holds a doctorate in moral theology. |
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The Election and the Environment"Developing countries are expected to suffer the most from the negative impacts of climate change. Increased drought, storm intensity, disease, species extinction, and flooding will only exacerbate the conditions of those living in poverty." Cecilia Calvo received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Spanish from Wellesley College, and her master’s degree in International Environmental Policy and International Trade and Commercial Policy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. |
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Poverty and the 2008 Elections"How we treat ‘the least among us’ (Mt 25:40) is a moral measure of our lives, as individuals and as a nation. In Scriptures, this is the question on Judgment Day. It should be a central question on election day." John Carr holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and has written on Catholics and political responsibility. He speaks often on Catholic social mission, faith and policy, and religion in public life. He recently received the Vision Award from Catholic Charities USA, and been named a Hunger Hero by Bread for the World. |
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Moral Questions Regarding Iraq in an Election Year"Although our nation should learn from the decisions that were made prior to the war, now that our forces are in Iraq we face new moral questions. The occupation of Iraq has brought with it new responsibilities toward the Iraqi people." Stephen Colecchi holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religious studies from Holy Cross College, a master of arts in religion from Yale University, and a doctor of ministry degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University. He has written numerous articles on Catholic social teaching, social justice, political responsibility, and the infusion of Catholic social teaching into Christian education programs. |
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A Decade Later: Time for a Dose of Reality on Stem Cells"Americans want to be fair and humane. They do not seek out the most unethical way to pursue medical progress—rather, they want science and ethics to move forward hand in hand. It is not too much to ask the same of our researchers and policy makers." Richard Doerflinger holds a master of arts in divinity degree from the University of Chicago and has pursued doctoral studies at the University of Chicago and The Catholic University of America. He is an adjunct fellow in bioethics and public policy at the National Catholic Bioethics Center. He frequently writes and speaks on euthanasia, assisted suicide, embryo experimentation and reproductive technologies. |
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Gay Marriage – Locating the Question"The issue is first a question about the nature and purposes of marriage as fundamental social structure and civil institution. It is not first a question about civil rights or discrimination or achieving the full social enfranchisement of homosexual persons." H. Richard McCord holds a master’s degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a doctorate in education from the University of Maryland. He has written extensively in Catholic periodicals and contributed chapters to Vatican II: The Continuing Agenda, Families and Communities in Partnership, Using a Family Perspective, and Why We Serve. |
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Abortion and Faithful Citizenship"A culture in which abortion is unthinkable is one in which all lives will be honored." Deirdre A. McQuade holds a bachelor of arts degree from Bryn Mawr College, as well as master of arts degrees in philosophy and divinity from the University of Notre Dame. In 2003, she served as National Program Director at Feminists for Life. Recent speeches include Seeds of Justice: Defending Life from Womb to Tomb and Roe Reality Check: Taking a Second Look at Abortion. |
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Bringing Facts and Principles to the Health Care Debate"The voices of the Catholic community should be loud and clear in public discussion on health care in this election and beyond. The health care status quo is morally unacceptable. Our nation can and must do better." Kathy A. Saile holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications from Ohio University and a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. Previously she was associate director of public policy for Lutheran Services in America. She is the author of a book on public policy and grassroots advocacy. |
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The American Workplace: Economic Policy, Moral Dimensions"The bishops urge Catholic voters to focus not on political questions such as ‘Are you better off than you were two or four years ago?’ Rather, each of us should enter the voting booth focusing on the ethical and moral dimensions of public policies that affect the whole community." Thomas Shellabarger holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and has done graduate work at Florida Atlantic University. |
PodcastsListen to all our Faithful Citizenship Podcasts The Need for Immigration Reform -- J. Kevin Appleby |
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Peacemaking and Catholic Social TeachingPaulist Father Larry Rice talks about peace and peacemaking in the context of Catholic social teaching. Father Larry Rice is the director of the center for Catholic Campus Ministry at Ohio State University, and a weekly contributor to Catholic Radio Weekly (www.catholicradioweekly.com). He earned a Masters of Divinity from the Catholic University of America and a bachelor's degree in General Arts and Sciences from Pennsylvania State University. He entered the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (the Paulist Fathers) in 1983, and was ordained a priest in 1989. |
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