“a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy”

“the Democratic Party Platform supports the right to abortion ‘regardless of the ability to pay’....[and] same-sex marriage....There are many positive and beneficial planks in the Democratic Party Platform, but I am pointing out those that explicitly endorse intrinsic evils....People of faith object to these platform positions that promote serious sins....

“I have read the Republican Party Platform and there is nothing in it that supports or promotes an intrinsic evil or a serious sin....One might argue for different methods in the platform to address the needs of the poor, to feed the hungry and to solve the challenges of immigration, but these are prudential judgments about the most effective means of achieving morally desirable ends, not intrinsic evils....

“a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy” (Bishop Paprocki, 9/23/12)

The document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States identifies Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, which are not always well understood...
* The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
* Call to Family, Community, and Participation
* Rights and Responsibilities
* Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
* Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
* Solidarity
* Caring for God’s Creation
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Senate Bill 3 & Pinnochio

House Majority Leader Rep Mike Turzai
110 Main Capitol
PO Box 202028
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2028

Dear Representative Turzai,

On 9/10/12, I wrote to ask that passage of SB 3 be expedited in the Pennsylvania House, so that it might quickly receive Governor Corbett's signature.  As per a 7/24/12 letter to you from leaders of the House Pro Life Caucus:

• "On behalf of the Pro-Life Caucus Leaders and Members and the various Pro-Life and Family Groups in Pennsylvania, we respectfully ask you to place SB 3 on the voting calendar to be voted upon when we return to Harrisburg the week of Septemer 24th.... As you are well aware, SB 3 is legislation that already passed the Senate and can move straight to the Governor's office for his signature.  The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision...only demands we move quickly on the Abortion coverage issues"

Representative Turzai, passage of SB 3 is a no brainer for any member of the Pennsylvania House who identifies himself or herself as Pro Life.  After spending the past two weeks in Vatican City and Italy, I was appalled to return to Pennsylvania to find that there has been no vote in the House on SB 3.  Worse yet, SB 3 is not to be found on next week's calendar!  Representative Turzai, do the right thing and bring SB 3 up for a vote!

Throughout Italy, I found that gift shops had all sorts of memorabilia of Carlo Collodi's Pinnochio.  Perhaps it is to easy to draw parallels between that fictional character and politicians who identify themselves as Pro Life, but who do not follow through and do the right thing.   Pinnochio eventually did do the right thing!

Representative Turzai, we need SB 3 passed and signed by Gov. Corbett.  We need this protection for our consciences!

Sincerely,

"In 53 days, we have a choice about two very different ideas about our country...."

(Representative Paul Ryan, 2012 Values Voter Summit)
 

The document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States identifies Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, which are not always well understood...
* The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
* Call to Family, Community, and Participation
* Rights and Responsibilities
* Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
* Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
* Solidarity
* Caring for God’s Creation
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Please share this information with your parishioners....

The "Insurance Exchanges" of the 'Affordable Care Act" ("Obamacare")

"In 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to affordable coverage through a new competitive private health insurance market – State-based Affordable Insurance Exchanges" (HealthCare.gov). 

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, warns that "some states implementing the Affordable Care Act have begun to claim that they can force all private health plans on their exchanges to cover elective abortion as an 'essential health benefit'" (7/17/12). 

Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and Senate Bill 3 

As explained by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (6/29/12), "Now that it is known that the Affordable Care Act will stand, Pennsylvania must take action to prevent abortion coverage in the insurance exchanges.  Senate Bill 3...would prohibit insurance providers that participate in the insurance exchanges created by the federal health care reform law from covering elective abortion services." 

As detailed by the Pennsylvania Family Institute (6/29/12): "Senate Bill 3 would prohibit abortion coverage (with certain...Medicaid exceptions) from being offered in Pennsylvania’s 'health insurance exchanges.' Without SB3, everyone who purchases insurance through a Pennsylvania exchange will be paying an additional premium for abortion coverage."

"Without SB3, everyone who purchases insurance through a Pennsylvania exchange will be paying an additional premium for abortion coverage."

Way back on 6/7/11, SB 3 passed the Pennsylvania Senate by a vote of 37 to 12.  Rather than simply put SB 3 up for a vote in the House, an identical bill with a different number was introduced; Pennsylvania HB 1977 passed the House by a vote on 146 to 45 on 12/12/11.  Subsequently, both bills languished....

The Pa Catholic Conference, the Pa Family Institute, the Pro Life Federation, and the Pro-Life Coalition of Pa were among those copied on a 7/24/12 letter to House Majority Leader Mike Turzai from leaders of the Pro Life Caucus in the Pa House:

• "On behalf of the Pro-Life Caucus Leaders and Members and the various Pro-Life and Family Groups in Pennsylvania, we respectfully ask you to place SB 3 on the voting calendar to be voted upon when we return to Harrisburg the week of Septemer 24th....As you are well aware, SB 3 is legislation that already passed the Senate and can move straight to the Governor's office for his signature.  The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision...only demands we move quickly on the Abortion coverage issues"

Urge Turzai to bring SB 3 to a vote and Support the Pro Life Caucus 

Let's appeal to our representatives, who voted favorably on HB 1977, to join us in urging House Majority Leader Rep Mike Turzai (717-772-9943; 412-369-2230; mturzai@pahousegop.com) to bring SB 3 to a vote!  Please also ask them to contact Rep. Jerry Stern of the Pro Life Caucus to show support (717-787-9020; 814-695-2398; 814-684-6092; jstern@pahousegop.com)  From Bucks County, those representatives are: 

•Paul Clymer (145th) pclymer@pahousegop.com,
•Gene DiGirolamo (18th) gdigirol@pahousegop.com,
•Frank Farry (142nd) Ffarry@pahousegop.com,
•John Galloway (140th) RepGalloway@pahouse.net,
•Bernie O'Neill (29th) boneill@pahousegop.com,
•Scott Petri (178th) spetri@pahousegop.com,
•Marguerite Quinn (143rd) mquinn@pahousegop.com, and
•Kathy Watson kwatson@pahousegop.com,
(Representatives Tina Davis (141st) and Steve Santarsiero (31st) voted AGAINST HB 1977.)

We need SB 3 passed and signed by Gov. Corbett!  

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The document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States identifies Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, which are not always well understood...
* The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
* Call to Family, Community, and Participation
* Rights and Responsibilities
* Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
* Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
* Solidarity
* Caring for God’s Creation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Representative Turzai, we need SB 3 passed and signed by Gov. Corbett.

House Majority Leader Rep Mike Turzai
110 Main Capitol

PO Box 202028
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2028

Dear Representative Turzai,

As you know, "In 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to affordable coverage through a new competitive private health insurance market – State-based Affordable Insurance Exchanges" (HealthCare.gov). 

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo has warned that "some states implementing the Affordable Care Act have [already] begun to claim that they can force all private health plans on their exchanges to cover elective abortion as an 'essential health benefit'" (7/17/12).  As explained by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (6/29/12),

• "Now that it is known that the Affordable Care Act will stand, Pennsylvania must take action to prevent abortion coverage in the insurance exchanges.  Senate Bill 3... would prohibit insurance providers that participate in the insurance exchanges created by the federal health care reform law from covering elective abortion services." 

As detailed by the Pennsylvania Family Institute (6/29/12):

• "Senate Bill 3 would prohibit abortion coverage (with certain...Medicaid exceptions) from being offered in Pennsylvania’s 'health insurance exchanges.' Without SB3, everyone who purchases insurance through a Pennsylvania exchange will be paying an additional premium for abortion coverage."

Way back on 6/7/11, SB 3 passed the Pennsylvania Senate by a vote of 37 to 12.  An identical bill, Pennsylvania HB 1977, passed the House by a vote on 146 to 45 on 12/12/11.  Subsequently, both bills have languished.  As per a 7/24/12 letter to you from leaders of the Pro Life Caucus:

• "On behalf of the Pro-Life Caucus Leaders and Members and the various Pro-Life and Family Groups in Pennsylvania, we respectfully ask you to place SB 3 on the voting calendar to be voted upon when we return to Harrisburg the week of Septemer 24th.... As you are well aware, SB 3 is legislation that already passed the Senate and can move straight to the Governor's office for his signature.  The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision...only demands we move quickly on the Abortion coverage issues"

Representative Turzai, we need SB 3 passed and signed by Gov. Corbett.  We need this protection for our consciences!  

 

Sincerely,

Caring for God’s Creation

The document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States identifies Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching...

• The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
• Call to Family, Community, and Participation
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
• Solidarity
• Caring for God’s Creation

"54. We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of God’s creation.  Care for the earth is a duty of our faith and a sign of our concern for all people. We should strive to live simply to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We have a moral obligation to protect the planet on which we live—to respect God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for human beings, especially children at their most vulnerable stages of development. As stewards called by God to share the responsibility for the future of the earth, we should work for a world in which people respect and protect all of creation and seek to live simply in harmony with it for the sake of future generations."

Advocacy for both abortion and alternative definitions of marriage appear to be hallmarks of the campaign of Kathy Boockvar, who is challenging Congressman Fitzpatrick in Pa's 8th Congressional District.  Boockvar even faults Fitzpatrick for voting "to defund Planned Parenthood", which is the nations's largest abortion provider.

Solidarity

The document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States identifies Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching...

• The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
• Call to Family, Community, and Participation
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
• Solidarity
• Caring for God’s Creation

"53. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions and requires us to eradicate racism and address the extreme poverty and disease plaguing so much of the world.  Solidarity also includes the Scriptural call to welcome the stranger among us—including immigrants seeking work, a safe home, education for their children, and a decent life for their families. In light of the Gospel’s invitation to be peacemakers, our commitment to solidarity with our neighbors—at home and abroad—also demands that we promote peace and pursue justice in a world marred by terrible violence and conflict. Decisions on the use of force should be guided by traditional moral criteria and undertaken only as a last resort. As Pope Paul VI taught: “If you want peace, work for justice” (World Day of Peace Message, January 1, 1972)."

Advocacy for both abortion and alternative definitions of marriage appear to be hallmarks of the campaign of Kathy Boockvar, who is challenging Congressman Fitzpatrick in Pa's 8th Congressional District.  Boockvar even faults Fitzpatrick for voting "to defund Planned Parenthood", which is the nations's largest abortion provider.

Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States identifies Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching...

• The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
• Call to Family, Community, and Participation
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
• Solidarity
• Caring for God’s Creation

"52. The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. Employers contribute to the common good through the services or products they provide and by creating jobs that uphold the dignity and rights of workers—to productive work, to decent and just wages, to adequate benefits and security in their old age, to the choice of whether to organize and join unions, to the opportunity for legal status for immigrant workers, to private property, and to economic initiative. Workers also have responsibilities—to provide a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, to treat employers and co-workers with respect, and to carry out their work in ways that contribute to the common good. Workers, employers, and unions should not only advance their own interests, but also work together to advance economic justice and the well-being of all."

Advocacy for both abortion and alternative definitions of marriage appear to be hallmarks of the campaign of Kathy Boockvar, who is challenging Congressman Fitzpatrick in Pa's 8th Congressional District.  Boockvar even faults Fitzpatrick for voting "to defund Planned Parenthood", which is the nations's largest abortion provider.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

The document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States identifies Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching...

• The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
• Call to Family, Community, and Participation
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
• Solidarity
• Caring for God’s Creation

"50. While the common good embraces all, those who are weak, vulnerable, and most in need deserve preferential concern. A basic moral test for our society is how we treat the most vulnerable in our midst. In a society marred by deepening disparities between rich and poor, Scripture gives us the story of the Last Judgment (see Mt 25:31-46) and reminds us that we will be judged by our response to the 'least among us.' The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: 

Those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the Church which, since her origin and in spite of the failings of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defense, and liberation through numerous works of charity which remain indispensable always and everywhere. (no. 2448)

"51. Pope Benedict XVI has taught that 'love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind, is as essential to [the Church] as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel' (Deus Caritas Est, no. 22). This preferential option for the poor and vulnerable includes all who are marginalized in our nation and beyond—unborn children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and terminally ill, and victims of injustice and oppression."

Advocacy for both abortion and alternative definitions of marriage appear to be hallmarks of the campaign of Kathy Boockvar, who is challenging Congressman Fitzpatrick in Pa's 8th Congressional District.  Boockvar even faults Fitzpatrick for voting "to defund Planned Parenthood", which is the nations's largest abortion provider.