The consistent ethic of life provides a moral framework for principled Catholic engagement in political life and, rightly understood, neither treats all issues as morally equivalent nor reduces Catholic teaching to one or two issues. It anchors the Catholic commitment to defend human life, from conception until natural death, in the fundamental moral obligations to respect the dignity of every person as a child of God...this culture of life begins with the preeminent obligation to protect innocent life from direct attack and extends to defending life whenever it is threatened or diminished. —-USCCB
The fall preceding U.S. Presidential Elections the USCCB promulgate materials for the faithful to explore and be formed in with regard to church teachings. The most recent publication (November 1007) Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship was made widely available at the Parish Information & Welcome Center after the week end Masses. Copies are still available through the Social Justice office. Additionally, a series of three presentations on Catholic Social Teaching ran the nights of October 16, 23 and 30, 2008. Two of the three devoted much time to our responsibilities in the public sqaure as Catholics.