Advocating for Social Justice

This is the time of year that Congress and many state legislatures are beginning their work for the year. As a result, many Catholic groups are now ramping up their lobbying efforts. 
       If you haven't already been asked, chances are that you will soon be asked to contact your members of Congress or state legislators about one or more pieces of legislation regarding our Catholic social teaching. It is best to pay most attention to such requests if they come from your local bishop or the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) — you can be assured that the issues they advocate are truly in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. 
       If you get requests from other organizations that claim to be Catholic, please check them out thoroughly. The USCCB has information on their web site (www.usccb.org) about all the positions they take on legislation, and most bishops do, as well. If in doubt, do not hesitate to call the office of your local bishop and ask about his position on particular issues. It will make you more informed as you contact your legislators.
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 

"Much Will Be Required" & Social Justice

The gospel for this Sunday ends with Jesus saying to his disciples, "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." In the United States, we have been entrusted with much: rich natural resources, fertile land that can produce much food, an abundant supply of clean water, and a temperate climate that supports a wide range of human activity, such as industry and tourism. As a result, our nation has emerged as a world leader in nearly every respect.

       In such a blessed position, God demands much of us. With our power and resources, we have a biblical obligation to do even more than other nations to bring about God's reign on earth. Therefore, it is important for us as a nation to promote the cause of justice and mercy throughout the world. We are uniquely called upon to be promoters of the common good and agents of peace, reconciliation, and environmentalism. Our bishops realize this, and are constantly asking Catholics to make their voices heard on such issues. For an overview of current issues and an easy way to make your voice heard, go to http://capwiz.com/catholicbishops/home/.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

Elections & Social Justice

It's election time again, and voting our consciences is the best way to express our Catholic social justice principles to the wider world. The US bishops have stated, "In a democracy, loving our neighbor and caring for the least among us means supporting leaders and policies that promote the common good and protect society’s most vulnerable members."

       The Church does not and will not engage in partisan politics. We strongly urge all parishioners to register, to become informed on key issues, and to vote. The Church does not support or oppose any candidate, but seeks to focus attention on the moral and human dimensions of issues. We do not authorize the distribution of partisan political materials on parish property.

       For more information on Catholic issues in the upcoming local election, go to the web site for your state Catholic conference. For a directory where you can find the web site for your state's Catholic conference, go to www.nasccd.org.

Copyright © 2009, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.
  

Health Insurance Reform & Social Justice

(The following is adapted from a September 11, 2009 action alert from Kathy Saile, the Director of Domestic Social Development for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.)

Now that Congress has returned to Washington and is again working on the health insurance bills, the US bishops need your advocacy more than ever. Please call your Members of Congress at 202-224-3121 and tell them to:

1. Support long-overdue health insurance reform that covers all people and protects the life, dignity, and health of all. Health insurance reform is an important national priority and moral imperative.

2. A fair and just health insurance reform bill must exclude mandated coverage for abortion, and uphold longstanding laws that restrict abortion funding and protect conscience rights. Urge Members to take whatever steps necessary in Committee or on the Floor to oppose abortion funding, abortion mandates, and weakening of conscience protections.

3. Support effective measures to safeguard the health of immigrants, their children and all of society. Maintain an adequate safety net for those who remain uncovered. Eliminate the five-year waiting period banning immigrants lawfully residing in the United States from enrolling in Medicaid. Do not place barriers to obtaining private health insurance coverage for immigrants.

You can find information on your Members of Congress at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.
Copyright © 2009, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

Civil Discourse & Social Justice

In recent days, we have heard many stories about rancor and unruliness at "town hall" meetings that have been held by members of Congress on the subject of health insurance reform. In some cases, the basis of the shouting was in an actual experience with a system that didn't work; in other cases, there were misunderstandings of facts. For sure, there is a good deal to get emotional about -- health care and health insurance are very costly, and one's quality of life is at stake if one must live with a debilitating or chronic illness.

Nonetheless, we are reminded in St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians (4:15) that we are to speak the truth in love in order to build a unity in our society and within the Body of Christ. As a Church and as a society, we won't get very far if we are not unified in our understanding of one another or are not committed to seeing the other person with whom we disagree as a beloved child of God just like us. In short, justice cannot succeed in an environment where civil discourse, born of a concern for the common good, does not prevail.

We will always agree on some things and disagree on others, but in everything, we should approach one another in charity and civility.

Copyright © 2009, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.