Catholic Pro-Life Committee

Overview

Civic Action

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.

– U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007

As Christians, we accept the Lord's kingship over all living things. As Americans, we believe in a free and just society, which should protect life at all stages. As American Christians, we must persuade our fellow citizens to enact in law the founding principles of this great nation: that each person has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Even as we enjoy the blessings of freedom, over 4,000 unborn Americans lose their lives legally each day. Undaunted attacks against human life escalate: efforts to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, medical research using human embryos, attempts at human cloning, and use of the death penalty. The Civic Action Group encourages elected officials to support and defend legal protection for all human life. To accomplish this goal, the group monitors relevant federal and state legislation and administrative rulings, and seeks dialogue with legislators on life issues.

Voting with Informed Conscience

To assist the faithful in forming their consciences in preparation for voting, the Civic Action Ministry presents Responsible Voting Seminars to parishes , which are based on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizens issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Joint Statement issued by Bishops Kevin Farrell of Dallas and Kevin Vann of Fort Worth. The ministry also prepares voter education material, encourages voter registration drives in churches, and distributes bulletin inserts for Catholics in the Diocese of Dallas.

On September 8, 2012, the Civic Action Ministry, in collaboration with the Texas Catholic Conference, sponsored its second Render Unto Caesar conference with experts from across the state gathered to discuss how our Catholic beliefs and civic responsibilities intersect and what it means to be a Catholic voice in the public square.

Additional election resources are available at prolifedallas.org/election.

Protecting Religious Liberty

In response to unprecedented attacks on religious liberty stemming from the 2011 federal mandate requiring all employers, including religious institutions, to provide/subsidize insurance coverage for contraception, abortifacients and sterilization – the CPLC Civic Action Ministry has joined in the U.S. Bishops' campaign of prayer and advocacy for the restoration of religious liberty and conscience protection. Learn more about this issue and how you can be a part of this important effort at prolifedallas.org/conscience.

Advocacy with the Bishops

The next Texas Legislative Session starts in January 2013. During the session, the Civic Action Ministry will continue to train citizen volunteers to pray for and monitor the activities, votes, and records of elected officials at all levels of government. In coordination with Catholic Charities of Dallas, the ministry will also train and organize the participation of Catholics in the Diocese of Dallas in the Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day on April 6, 2012. More information about 2013 Advocacy Day is available at dallascatholicadvocacy.org. (See pictures of the 2011 Advocacy Day here)

After the 2013 Texas Legislative Session is over, we will shift our attention to the Federal Congress and the attacks on human life at the national level, with a specific focus on the priorities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Feel free to peruse the different sections listed in the column at left. For more information about the Civic Action ministry, please contact .

Civic Action

Civic Action

Abortions in the U.S.

Encouraging Words