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“Voice of life and dignity”

 November 19, 2009

California bishops want state’s Catholics to become more involved in politics

California’s bishops are planning to take a more active role in politics, launching a new program to enlist Catholics in parishes across the state to join the Catholic Legislative Network, an arm of the bishops’ public policy division, the California Catholic Conference.

The program premiered the weekend of Oct. 24-25 at St. Anthony’s parish in Sacramento, described in a Nov. 13 email from the Legislative Network as “the ‘test market’ for the state.” St. Anthony’s parishioners at four different Masses watched a video about the new Catholic political initiative with an introduction by Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto.

The effort to engage Catholics in politics will eventually involve every diocese in California, according to the Legislative Network. At St. Anthony’s, said the network’s Nov. 13 email, more than 400 parishioners signed up. “They are the first Californians to experience a new program -- Life & Dignity Sunday -- which encourages participation in the Catholic Legislative Network,” said the email.

“Life & Dignity Sunday will be held in all parishes in the Diocese of Sacramento on the weekend of December 5 and 6, 2009 and move out to the remainder of the state in the coming months,” according to the Catholic Legislative Network. “It will be held in the San Fernando Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on January 23 and 24, 2010, and Fresno Diocese in the spring. Initial planning is underway in two other dioceses as well.”

In his introduction to the video, Bishop Soto said, “We believe that a very important voice that is lacking in the decisions that are made both here in the capital and throughout the state is the voice of faith.” He and his fellow bishops, said Soto, want Catholics in California to become a more vocal “voice of life and dignity” in the state.

Following Bishop Soto’s introduction, the video mentions cuts in programs like Healthy Families, an insurance plan for children from low-income families, and protective services for the elderly. In addition, says the video, many Californians are losing their jobs or homes or are suffering dramatic reductions in income.

“And, as lawmakers cut programs that enhance life, funding continues for programs that support ending life, like abortion for teenage girls without their parents’ consent,” the video continues, also mentioning the continuing push for assisted suicide. (To watch the video, Click Here.)

Copyright California Catholic Daily 2009. All Rights Reserved.

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