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October 13 2014 Legislative Positions.Xps T�� C����� �� ��� P����� S����� A Background The Catholic Church brings to the public square a voice that speaks especially for those who may not have someone to speak for them — the unborn, the poor and those in need, newcomers to our country, prisoners, those with physical and mental disabilities, the elderly, and families struggling to provide their children with a safe home, a good education, and adequate healthcare. Unlike many advocacy groups, the Catholic Church’s voice does not it neatly into typical political distinctions, nor does it follow the dictates of popular opinions. We do not speak as Republicans or Democrats; we are too liberal for conservatives,� and too conservative for liberals. We are not a “single issue” advocacy group, but rather speak out on a broad variety of topics considered by our lawmakers in St. Paul. We do, however, speak from a uniform point of view, one that is accessible not only to Catholics, but to all who recognize that a proper understanding of human nature must determine how we fashion our society and the laws that govern it. We stand on the shoulders of those who fought for the freedom of Catholics and all people of faith to practice their religion openly, and to share their views as active citizens and participants in the public square. In exercising this right and duty today, we answer a call expressed by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate, “To desire the common good and strive towards it is a requirement of justice and charity.” The Minnesota Catholic Conference, the of icial public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, will continue to answer this call during the 2014 regular session of the Minnesota Legislature. � O�� 2014 L���������� P�������� R�������� F������ P������ ��������� ������� ��� ������ �� ����������. Freedoms of conscience and of religion are primary and inalienable rights of the human person. Public policy must guard religious freedom by limiting government intrusion into religious matters, allowing for reasonable collaboration between public and religious entities, and protecting the rights of private institutions and employees to serve the community. (CCC: 1738; Dignitatis Humanae, 2; Christi�ideles Laici, 39) L��� �B��-E����� P������ ���� ��� ����� ����� ����. Minnesota must effectively af irm, protect, and defend each and every human life, including the unborn. We must end taxpayer funding of abortion and also oppose attempts to legalize all forms of euthanasia� and assisted suicide. (CCC: 2270-79; Evangelium Vitae, 2; Living the Gospel of Life, USCCB) L��� � B��-E�����, ����. A����� ��� ������� �� ����� ���� �� ������� ��� ���� ������� ��������. Each human life, regardless of the stage of development, must be protected and respected in scienti ic research. Research that requires the destruction of a human embryo or that clones a human embryo must be opposed and barred from re- ceiving public money. (CCC: 2292-96; Declaration on the Production and� the Scienti�ic and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells) R����� ��� ����� �������. Pope John Paul II stated that the death penalty has no place where alternatives are available to protect society. Minnesota made a similar judgment when it abolished the death penalty in 1911. This policy has served us well and we must retain it. (Evangelium Vitae, 56; CCC: 2267) T����� ��� ��������. Guns are far too accessible in Minnesota. Minnesota’s gun laws should be re-ex- amined, and common-sense laws should be enacted that regulate the sale and use of guns; that make guns safer; and that ban military-style assault weapons and ammunition. Further, Minnesota must make a serious commitment to provide health services and support to those who have mental illnesses and to their families and caregivers. (CCC: 2316; CSDC: 511) S������ ����� ������ ��������� ����������� ���� ���� ������������. In addition to adequate inancial and medical support, women facing a crisis pregnancy need access to emotional and wrap-around services that can enable them to parent or to place their child for adoption. The state must also ensure ac- cess� to high quality childcare and decent housing to women in need, and make it possible for them to contin- ue their education. (Gaudium et Spes, 26; Living the Gospel of Life: 23, USCCB) S��� �������� �����. Every attack on human life and dignity must be opposed. All persons experiencing domestic abuse should have ready access to services that can assist them in resolving or escaping their situ- ation. (CCC: 2389, 2297) S������ ��� �����, ����� ���� ������������, ��� ����������� ���, ��� ��� ���������� ���. Respect for all human life means assisting those with limitations. Society must ensure these individuals receive the necessary support and services, including transportation and quality care. (Gaudium et Spes: 27; Laborem Exercens, 22; CSDC: 131) Marriage & Family E�������� ��� ���������� ��������. Lifelong marriage between one man and one woman is essential to the continuation of the human race, to the total development of the human person, and to the dignity, stability, peace, and prosperity of the family and society. Minnesota must promote natural marriage and eval- uate all public policies in light of their impact on marriage and families. (CCC: 2210; Gaudium et Spes, 52) K��� �������� ����. Public policies must promote the safety and well-being of our children, protecting them from all forms of abuse and neglect. We should continue to advance programs that protect children, such as the Catholic Church’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. (Familiaris Consortio, 26) 2 / Minnesota Catholic Conference M������� � F�����, ����. R������ ��� ������� ������ �������������. Minnesota must design and implement policies in the areas of taxation, employment, and welfare that foster family unity and reward personal responsibility. When- ever possible, parents should be given the option to care for their young children at home, or place them in quality day care programs should both parents need to work. Parents should also be allowed limited unpaid leave to attend their children’s day care or school functions. (CCC: 2202, 2209; Centesimus Annus, 47) P������ �������� ��� ������ ����. Minnesota should maintain support for state-sponsored adoption awareness campaigns, adoption counseling, and tax credits for adoptive parents. Parents adopting or fostering children, especially those with special needs, must receive the necessary supports to help their families thrive. (CCC: 2209) P����������� O����� ��� ��� P��� � V��������� H���-�� ��� �� �������. Minnesota should provide a “hand-up” out of poverty by enacting the recommen- dations of the bi-partisan Minnesota Commission to End Poverty. (CSDC: 208) E����� � ������ ������ ���. Minnesota should strengthen and reform, where appropriate, its social safety net to ensure the poor and vulnerable of our state have access to vital human services. Investments in human services are investments in people. (CCC: 2443-49) F���� ������. Food is a basic human right, yet thousands of Minnesota residents go hungry every day. For children this is especially harmful, as malnutrition impairs cognitive and physical growth. Public policies must help ensure that all residents have access to healthy and affordable food. (Gaudium et Spes, 26) F����� ���������� ������������� ��� ������ ���� ������������. All persons have the right to earn a living, to participate in the economy, and to contribute to the common good. Minnesota must make every effort to assist persons with physical and mental impairments to ind and retain employment. (CCC: 2433; CSDC: 289) � P������ �������� ������� ��� ���� ��� ���������� �������. Shelter is a basic human right. Minnesota must ensure that all its residents have access to decent and affordable housing. (Gaudium et Spes, 26) P������� ��������� ������� ���������. Minnesota should close loopholes in its existing lending laws and continue to encourage more responsible lending alternatives. (CCC: 2269) J������ ��� �����������. Minnesota’s criminal justice system should re lect the following principles: 1) victims of crime, including the community at large, must have opportunities to be healed and restored; 2) policies, even those that enforce strict punishment, must serve the end �of rehabilitation; 3) sentencing and inmate release policies must re lect restorative justice principles; and 4) corrections policies should make special efforts to reintegrate poor and marginalized offenders into society. (CCC: 2266; CSDC: 403; Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 40) � A����� ��������, ����� ��������, ��� ����� �������� �� ����� ��������. Minnesota must ensure that veterans and their families receive proper support as they return to civilian life. Minnesota must also assist refugees and others whose lives have been harmed by military con lict. (CSDC: 505) � Minnesota Catholic Conference / 3 Jobs/Economy S������ ��������� �������� ��� ����� ������ ��������. Our political institutions are responsible for securing the social conditions that enable each of us to share our gifts and reap the bene its of life in community. Taxes, though unpopular, are essential if government at all levels is to ful ill this responsibility. Citizens have a moral obligation to pay those taxes. Justice also requires that the tax burden be� distributed equitably and based on a person’s ability to pay. Fiscal policies must avoid excessive debt� that burdens future generations. (CSDC: 355) S������ ������ �����. Family farms form the backbone of Minnesota’s
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