Catholic Legislative Network

Dear Friends in Christ,

Sincere thanks to everyone who filled out cards to join the Catholic Legislative Network, our Catholic Voice for important issues that face our children and families. I would like to point out that this network is fully supported by our California Catholic Bishops. Its purpose is to keep all of us informed regarding important legislation coming before our representatives in Sacramento.

In recent years we have seen propositions about parental notification regarding teen abortion, assisted suicide, and the meaning of marriage. The Catholic Legislative Network provides concise and informative email newsletters to keep us up to date on these and other topics.

As you know from reading the news, our state is in crisis, not only economically but morally. Our bishops believe that a strong, well-organized, statewide moral network made up of parishioners could become a force for good, responsible decisions from our state legislators. They also believe in the Biblical teaching that part of being a good Christian/Catholic is to be an active citizen.

You have heard the name Life and Dignity applied to this network. These two words summarize our Catholic social teaching and our approach to state and federal legislation. Life is precious from conception to natural death. Threats to life and dignity like abortion, hunger, war, poverty, or lack of access to health care must be confronted by us Catholics. We stand for those whose
lives are threatened, and we stand with those who are in need of food, clothing, shelter, and health care. Jesus Himself has given us this mission.

Some might ask, “Why is the Church getting involved in politics? Isn’t there a separation between Church and State?” The Founding Fathers of our country wrote into our Constitution that there should be no established or “state” religion (as there has been in other countries). In the U.S. we have freedom of religion; each person has the right to worship God according to his/her conscience. This governing principle is not to be understood as freedom from religion, or to hold no moral values. It is both the right and duty of people of faith to carry their values and teachings into the public arena. While we must respect the values of others, we must do our best to express our own Christian principles and hope that they will be reflected in the laws and policies of the state.

If you have not yet signed up for the Catholic Legislative Network, please do so today by filling out the card you find in your pew today. Remember to print your email address clearly because this is the way to receive the newsletters from the Network.

Thank you for taking a stand to make the Catholic voice heard in California.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand