Summer 2008                                          

IN THIS ISSUE:
> Bishops of Florida Election Year Statement

> Bishops on Marriage
and Amendment 2

> Supreme Court Ruling on Amendments 7 and 9

> Candidate Questionnaire Project

> Florida Respect Life Conference, October 11 & 12, 2008

Catholic Bishops of Florida Election Year Statement
Vote with a properly formed conscience in order to defend human life and protect dignity

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
       As citizens of the United States, we have a duty to participate in framing the debate of public issues and the selection of those who occupy positions of civic leadership. As Catholics, we are called to carry the values of the Gospel and the sacredness of human life into the public square. These dual responsibilities to faith and citizenship are at the heart of what it means to be a Catholic in a free and democratic nation.
       Participation in elections requires careful discernment and prudential judgment in light of moral principles and values of our faith.  As faithful citizens, our decisions in the voting booth should respect the interests of all, particularly those members of our society who are weak and marginalized, often without a voice of their own. When we register to vote, we willingly accept the task of becoming educated on the issues and candidates and voting with a properly formed conscience. 
       Conscience is more than a voice within calling us to follow what is considered acceptable behavior for the day.  It provides a constant moral foundation that guides our thoughts and actions from the very simple to the most complex.  We have a duty to fully form our conscience and increase its sensitivity to how the issues before us address human life and dignity, protect and promote the welfare of our most vulnerable and serve the common good.
       Making a decision about a candidate can be very difficult, but a well-formed conscience aided by the virtue of prudence will guide us.  As Catholics, we are not single-issue voters, but at the same time we recognize that all issues do not carry the same moral weight.  Some issues involve acts that are always wrong, and we are morally obligated to oppose them.  We must never abandon the moral requirement to seek full protection for all human life.  A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as the direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life, if the voter’s intent is to support that position. There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate’s unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate, but this would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, and not to overlook a fundamental moral evil in order to advance a narrow interest or partisan preference.
       Catholics are challenged to use the resources of our faith and the opportunities of our democracy to defend human life and to work for a more peaceful and just society. Before casting our votes, we are responsible to: (1) become familiar with sacred scripture and moral and social doctrine of the Church; (2) obtain accurate information on issues without relying strictly on party affiliation or campaign advertisements; (3) consult the Candidate Questionnaire Project (www.informedcatholicvoter.com) and encourage candidates to clarify their positions on key issues; (4) actively participate in discussions with others, especially our family and those close to us; and (5) seek wisdom through prayer and reflection.
       May the Holy Spirit guide us as we make our voting decisions.

Florida Bishops on Marriage and Amendment 2

As teachers and pastors, the bishops seek to educate Florida’s Catholic faithful on the true nature and meaning of marriage as established by God and honored by Catholic teaching and tradition.

Marriage between the baptized is a sacrament, a sacred bond of husband and wife publicly witnessed in a church in the presence of the Lord.  The sacrament of Matrimony gives spouses the grace to love each other with the same love Christ has for his Church.  This grace perfects the couple's love and strengthens their indissoluble unity. From a valid marriage arises a perpetual and exclusive bond between the spouses. It is within this nuptial covenant that a man and a woman remain open to fertility and the gift of children is received and nurtured.

On September 3, the Florida Supreme Court ruled to reverse a lower court’s decision that the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission did not exceed its authority in proposing two constitutional amendments. This decision strikes both Amendments 7 and 9 from the November 4 ballot.  Amendment 7 would have removed existing language in the Florida Constitution that bars religious entities from participation in governmental programs.  Amendment 9 would have allowed for public funding of school-choice alternatives.

> click here for press release

Materials prepared as part of the Candidate Questionnaire Project are the only surveys/polls approved by the bishops of Florida for use in parish bulletins or diocesan publications. Surveys or polls by outside organizations are not approved for distribution by Church entities unless prior approval has been granted by the local diocesan bishop or the Florida Catholic Conference.

Now that the Primary election is behind us, questions on public policy issues have been posed to all U.S. congressional and state legislative candidates competing in Florida's General Election. These 10 questions pertain to issues of concern to the Church that are anticipated to appear before lawmakers in the coming term. All candidates are encouraged to respond.
 

Questions and candidate responses are available at:

> www.informedcatholicvoter.com

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary
of Humanae Vitae

22nd Annual
Florida Respect Life Conference

October 10 & 11, 2008
Tallahassee, Florida

> click here for event information and registration

After 11 years as associate director of education for the Florida Catholic Conference, Larry Keough has departed to pursue similar duties with the
Ohio Catholic Conference.

> view Florida Catholic article

> click here to view Supporting Ethical Stem Cell Research

Important Upcoming Election Dates