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| Written by Bill Roth | |||
| Monday, 06 July 2009 09:22 | |||
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The Catholic Democrats PAC is an FEC-registered political action committee dedicated to supporting Democratic politicians and elected officials of all creeds who support the values outlined in the US Bishops' document, Faithful Citizenship. This political action committee is a direct response to Pope Benedict XVI's teaching in Deus Caritas Est, that: The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society, on the other hand, is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity. So they cannot relinquish their participation “in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good.” [29] (emphasis added)
The Catholic Democrats PAC is part of the larger Catholic Democrats movement, which includes a number of politcal, educational and non-profit organizations. If you would like to donate to the Catholic Democrats cause, please go to our Donate page. To Join the Catholic Democrats PAC Mailing List, fill out the form to the Right
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 October 2009 06:18 |
Growing up in Cleveland, I was educated by the Sister of the Incarnate Word. Irish Catholic nuns who truly believed that every child is a gift from God. I did not grow up being smacked by rulers or memorizing bible verses. I grew up knowing that God placed each of us on this earth for a purpose. If we all chose to walk in this purpose, the world would continue to evolve into the greatness God created.
I am a Democrat because I grew up in the wake of JFK, RFK, and MLK. These men showed me that the Democratic Party was the party that encouraged and empowered people to reflect, realize, and follow their purpose. I grew up admiring Carter, Mondale, Gore, and Kuicinich. These men knew their purpose was unpopular and unfavorable but they forged on because they knew their purpose was true.
People think I am a Democrat because I am a teacher and an involved union member. I am an involved union member because being a Democrat has placed in me a desire to work, not just for myself, but for the good of others and the glory of God.
I am a Catholic Democrat because of my strong social beliefs .
First and foremost, I am anti-war. I would not send someone else's child into war, if I am not willing to send my own child into that same war. I have become very involved in the peace movement in this country to try and stop the senseless killing.
I also have compassion for the poor, care about the environment, and believe every working person is entitled to a fair wage and fair housing. Healthcare is another issue that should be a basic right and not for the few privileged who can afford to pay whatever the insurance companies charge.
How can someone call themselves a Catholic and ignore the following:
All those killed by war, the poor in this country who go hungry every day,those that must choose between getting the medicine they need or putting food on the table, workers who do not earn enough to provide proper housing for themselves and their families,and the children born into poverty, to name a few.
For those who are now thinking this person must be pro-abortion. I personally would never have an abortion. Although abortion is an important issue, it is not the only issue. Some of the other social problems affect many more people than abortion ever will.
I feel very strongly about these social issues, and for that reason cannot identify with the Republican party.
I was a Democrat first and a Christian later. I finally became Catholic a few years back because it encompassed so much of what I believe and still do. But I do not agree with everything the US Catholic Bishops have taught. Some of it I think is a little contradictory. Like... preserve life yet condone "justifiable" war. The importance of reconsilliation...but you need to do it atleast "once a year". They send mixed messages. Like the poster above many Catholics like to think themselves Republicans...But the Republican party is and has been anything but compassionate to the poor, good stewards of Gods land, working for fair work environments and fair wages for the worker...Their attitude have always been for those that have not the have nots. Abortion..totally against it BUT..I do believe their should be some leave way for extreme medical situations. We had a wonderful mother of six in out church who had to have abortion because the pregnancy was killing her. The child didn't have a brain and could not live outside the womb. It had no brain to function a heart or lungs. She was in the hospital for the better part of a month. The people in our church treated her less than they treat the criminials in our maximum security prison they visit. Some have compassion for them yet no one would stand up for this family. Her family had to go to another church it was so shameful.
We must use compassion and common sense in our faith not just what we are told to think. I like to remember that Jesus never created an army or military action, he or his apostles never even carried protection for themselves. He had compassion and humility and common sense that we today seem to have given up on trying to achieve. We must make ourselves more like Christ and follow his standard. Father Luke Fahr wrote something similiar in one of his books...War was never created by God, no violence or bad thing can come from him...it is only mans interpretation of Gods will that create these problems.
I am a democrat because the republican party, though pro-ife, does not support the struggles of everyday people. In th 30's and 40's the Catholic church supported the union movements they fought for wages that a family could be raised on. There is more to being pro-life than being against abortion. I feel if a person claims to be pro-life they should also be for supporting the family after the child is born too.
No republican that I know is pro-union, no republican I know is pro-worker!
The republican party supports the extremely rich who use poor people and keep people poor so they can ride around in expensive cars and live in exclusive neighborhoods. The Catholic church has always supported the poor and their fight to bring them to God and to fight for what is fair. Democrats too support fair treatment of workers, the poor and the underprivleged. The pro-life issue is the ONLY reason any good Catholic (other than being filthy rich & greedy) would ever want to be a republican.