According to the Bishops, "those who formulate law" are obliged in conscience "to work toward correcting morally defective laws."
The bishops also pledged to counsel Catholic public officials who act "consistently to support abortion on demand" that this support "risks making them cooperators in evil in a public manner."
The statement, "Catholics in Political Life," was adopted by a vote of 183-6. It came after the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians made an extensive interim report at the USCCB's special assembly, held in Denver, June 14-19, 2004.
In the statement, the bishops highlight:
The statement also says that:
Recalling the words of St. Paul in the First Letter to the Corinthians about the unworthy reception of the body and blood of the Lord, the bishops state that "all must examine their consciences" about their worthiness to receive Holy Communion, including with regard to "fidelity to the moral teaching of the Church in personal and public life."
The statement notes that "the question has been raised" whether it is necessary to deny Holy Communion to Catholics in public life who support abortion on demand.
"Given the wide range of circumstances involved in arriving at a prudential judgment" in this serious matter, the bishops state that they "recognize that such decisions rest with the individual bishop in accord with established canonical and pastoral principles."
Noting that "bishops can legitimately make different judgments on the most prudent course of pastoral action," they express their shared "unequivocal commitment to protect human life and dignity."
