(From the issue of 1/15/04)

The 2004 session of the Virginia General Assembly convenes on Jan. 14. The 60-day session provides an opportunity for Catholics to become advocates for justice within the Commonwealth, especially for those who are vulnerable, poor or voiceless.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Catholics should be active in the political process. "The initiative of lay Christians is necessary especially when the matter involves discovering or inventing the means for permeating social, political and economic realities with the demands of Christian doctrine and life" (no. 899).

The Catechism goes on to call all Catholics to active participation in building the common good of our Commonwealth: "It is necessary that all participate, each according to his [or her] position or role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person" (no. 1913).

How are we to pursue the common good in public policy debates? What guidance does the Church’s teaching offer? The Catechism makes it clear that Catholic social teaching is the guide. "The Church’s social teaching proposes principles for reflection; it provides criteria for judgment; it gives guidelines for action" (no. 2422).

Recently the U.S. Bishops have applied Catholic social teaching to public policy issues facing our nation in a statement entitled: "Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility" (Administrative Board, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 2003). Much of the guidance they offer is also relevant to issues facing the Commonwealth of Virginia.

A brief quote from "Faithful Citizenship" introduces each of the issues in this year’s legislative agenda. Catholic advocates are encouraged to reflect on the full text of "Faithful Citizenship." It can be found at www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/faithfulcitizenship03.htm and can be ordered by calling 800/235-8722 (item no. 5-561).

The Diocese of Arlington and the Diocese of Richmond have jointly adopted this legislative agenda. The dioceses invite all parishioners to exercise their civic and religious responsibilities throughout the 2004 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. Each diocese will equip its legislative advocates for this task. Together the two dioceses will work in partnership with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and the Virginia Society for Human Life on most of these issues. At the end of the agenda there is information on how you can make a difference as a legislative advocate.

"We support women in difficult pregnancies, and we assist those wounded by the trauma of abortion and domestic violence. … We urge Catholics and others to promote laws and social policies that protect human life and promote human dignity to the maximum degree possible. Laws that legitimize abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia are profoundly unjust and immoral. … We encourage the passage of laws and programs that promote childbirth and adoption over abortion and assist pregnant women and children."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

In Virginia, there were 24,992 abortions in 2002 which represents 30 percent of the deaths that year.

In Virginia a person who kills a fetus is subject to no criminal penalty except for assault on the mother.

Pregnant women are 60.6 percent more likely to be beaten than women not pregnant.

Women are four times more likely to suffer abuse as a result of an unintended or unwanted pregnancy.

Virginia’s "informed consent" law does not require that women be informed of a fetus’ capacity to experience pain as the fetus develops.

Health care professionals cannot conscientiously object to performing abortions, sterilizations, withdrawing nutrition and hydration, prescribing contraceptives and other actions that are morally objectionable to them.

There are no regulations governing the operation of abortion clinics in Virginia even though major surgery is performed in them each day.

Some forms of "emergency contraception" are in fact abortive agents.

The Unborn Victims of Violence Act that begins to recognize in law the right to life of the unborn and enhances protection of pregnant women.

Inclusion of "fetal pain" in the information required to be provided for "informed consent" prior to an abortion.

Extending Medicaid coverage to more low-income pregnant women and their unborn children (see "Health Care").

A civil right of conscience for individual and institutional health care providers.

A requirement that abortion clinics be licensed and in compliance with current requirements for ambulatory surgical centers.

"Emergency contraception" legislation that allows abortive drugs to be used.

Any attempt to redefine the reality that pregnancy begins from the moment of conception.

"Society has a right and duty to defend itself against violent crime and a duty to reach out to victims of crime. … In light of the Holy Father’s insistence that this is part of our pro-life commitment, we encourage solutions to violent crime that reflect the dignity of the human person, urging our nation to abandon the use of capital punishment. We also urge passage of legislation that would address problems in the judicial system, and restrict and restrain the use of the death penalty through use of DNA evidence, a guarantee of effective counsel and efforts to address issues of racial justice."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

Virginia ranks first among the 50 state in the number of persons executed per capita.

A 2001 General Assembly study showed a geographical disparity in the imposition of the death penalty.

Virginia’s Supreme Court is the only one in the country that has never overruled a death penalty sentence.

Issues regarding economic status and the competency of lawyers in Virginia’s death penalty cases need study.

Nationwide, over 110 people have been released from death row because of wrongful convictions.

Studies show that the cognitive and emotional development of juveniles is not equivalent to that of adults.

Abolition of the death penalty.

A moratorium on capital punishment.

Expanding the types of evidence of innocence allowable before the courts. Currently DNA is the only evidence allowed subsequent to a finding of guilt.

A prohibition on the execution of juveniles.

Expanding the list of capital offenses.

"Marriage must be protected as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman and our laws should reflect this principle. Marriage, as God intended, provides the basic foundation for family life and the common good. It must be supported in the face of the many pressures working to undermine it. Policies related to the definition of marriage, taxes, the workplace, divorce and welfare must be designed to help families stay together and to reward responsibility and sacrifice for children."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

The Supreme Court of Massachusetts recently ruled that the state legislature is required to give same-sex "marriages" the same status as heterosexual unions.

The U.S. bishops recently endorsed the concept of an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring that marriage be a union between one male and one female. Such an amendment would require ratification by the Virginia General Assembly.

Families choosing parochial or private schools are required to pay to transport their children to school or to provide their own transportation.

School buses are the safest form of transportation for our children. Parents of students attending non-public schools are taxpayers and their children are entitled to school bus transportation.

Busing non-public school students promotes public safety without excessive government entanglement with religion; it also eliminates carpools and heavy traffic on residential streets leading to non-public schools and allows more parents to use public transportation to commute.

Initiatives which will strengthen the status of marriage and the welfare of families (see also health care, housing, immigrant rights, poverty and tax justice).

Authorizing local school districts to provide bus transportation to children attending parochial and private schools.

Initiatives which would grant same-sex unions the equivalent status of marriage.

Unjust discrimination against homosexual persons.

"Affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life, a fundamental human right, and an urgent national priority. … With tens of millions of Americans lacking basic health insurance, we support measures to ensure that decent health care is available to all as a moral imperative. We also support measures to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid as well as measures that extend health care coverage to children, pregnant women, workers, immigrants and other vulnerable populations."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

Over 1 million Virginians lack health care coverage.

More than half of uninsured Virginians live in low income households.

The highest rate of the uninsured is among adults whose income is below the federal poverty line.

The uninsured are five times more likely to go without needed medical care, four times more likely to rely on emergency rooms, and more likely to experience disability or major health deterioration by older middle age.

Virginia’s Medicaid program only covers pregnant women with incomes below 133 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL), adults with children below 22-30 percent of the FPL, and aged, blind and disabled persons below 80 percent of the FPL.

Virginia ranks 43rd among the 50 states in the percentage of its budget devoted to Medicaid.

Extending medical coverage to more Virginians leads to a healthier workforce and promotes economic growth.

Expanding Medicaid coverage for low-income parents and the aged, blind and disabled to 100 percent of the FPL and for pregnant women to 200 percent of the FPL.

Community-based mental health services and quality residential care throughout the state.

"The lack of safe, affordable housing is a national crisis. We support a recommitment to the national pledge of ‘safe and affordable housing’ for all and effective policies that will increase the supply of quality housing and preserve, maintain, and improve existing housing. We promote public/private partnerships, especially those that involve religious communities. We continue to oppose unjust discrimination or unjust exclusion in housing … ."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

In FY 2002, 43 percent of persons and families requesting shelter in Virginia were denied due to a lack of space.

Of people in shelters 32 percent were children.

Over 50 percent of those entering shelters are employed full-time but cannot afford housing.

Rent for an average apartment requires 69 percent of the income of a typical family moving from welfare to work, more than twice the standard housing budget of 30 percent.

Over 66 percent of homeless assistance funding (not including volunteer hours) comes from over-extended non-governmental sources. Only 3.9 percent comes from the state.

Rental assistance based on the difference between a reasonable housing budget (30 percent of income) and fair market rent.

Rental subsidies for low-income households.

The rights of low-income tenants.

Adequate state funding for emergency and transitional shelters.

Private and public funding for the Virginia Priority Housing Fund.

"The Gospel mandate to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger leads the Church to care for and stand with immigrants, both documented and undocumented. While affirming the right and responsibility of sovereign nations to control their borders and to ensure the security of their citizens, especially in the wake of Sept. 11, we seek basic protections for immigrants, including due process rights, access to basic public benefits and fair naturalization and legalization opportunities."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

Many Virginia businesses depend on immigrant labor.

Many documented and undocumented immigrants living, working and paying taxes in Virginia cannot secure drivers’ licenses.

Having unlicensed drivers compromises road safety and drives up insurance costs for other Virginians.

Many children of undocumented immigrants may be denied a college education even if they have lived here for years and graduated from a Virginia high school.

Hispanics are targeted for robberies because they carry large amounts of cash; without recognized identify cards many are unable to open bank accounts and cash checks.

Recent changes in federal law have restored food stamp eligibility to many legal immigrants, but many low-income immigrant families are unaware of this nutritional assistance program.

Prudent measures to insure that all resident immigrants in Virginia have access to drivers’ licenses.

In-state tuition rates for immigrant children whose parents are residing, working and paying taxes in Virginia without regard to immigration status.

Continued recognition of identification cards issued by the Mexican government (matriculas).

A multi-lingual state outreach campaign to ensure that low-income immigrant families know how to obtain food stamps.

"Efforts to provide for the basic financial needs of poor families and children must enhance their lives and protect their dignity. The measure of welfare reform should be reducing poverty and dependency, not cutting resources and programs. We seek approaches that both promote greater responsibility and offer concrete steps to help families leave poverty behind. Welfare reform has focused on providing work and training, mostly in low-wage jobs."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

Of Virginia’s families 28 percent do not earn an income sufficient to adequately provide for their families.

Full-time employment at minimum wage pays $10,712 per year before state taxes and FICA.

The federal poverty line for a family of four was $18,400 in 2003.

If Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF/welfare) had kept pace with inflation since 1974, the average family of three would receive $773 per month. Instead the average family of three receives $320 per month. Even with food stamps this amounts to only 50 percent of the federal poverty line.

Nearly half of adults in TANF households lack a high school diploma; 79 percent of former recipients who exhausted their 2 years of TANF eligibility have income at or below the federal poverty line.

Virginia’s budget crisis may mean that the state will retain part of the child support paid on behalf of children in TANF households, despite the fact that they are in deep poverty.

Non-parent relatives care for about 40 percent of the children receiving TANF in Virginia.

Predatory lending exploits the poor with exorbitant interest rates and loan fees.

A living wage for all working Virginians.

Raising TANF payments until, when combined with other benefits, they lift families with children at least to the federal poverty line.

Ensuring the TANF 100 percent child support supplement (pass-through) remains in the budget.

Job related education and training necessary to move welfare recipients out of poverty.

Meaningful exemptions to the State’s two-year time limit on cash assistance for parents who are unable to find employment that pays wages at least equal to the poverty line, or who lose such employment through no fault of their own.

Establishing a Virginia Kinship Care Program in order to exempt non-parents caring for children from the federal TANF time limits and work requirements.

Limits or prohibitions on predatory lending.

"It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. … Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes … ."

— Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2239-2240

"Because we believe that families need help with the costs of raising children, we support increasing child tax credits and making them fully refundable. These credits allow families of modest means with children to keep more of what they earn and help lift low-income families out of poverty."

— "Faithful Citizenship," USCCB, 2003

Virginia’s tax system is unfair — the 20 percent of families with the lowest income pay 10.4 percent of their income on state income, sales, excise and property taxes; the richest 1 percent of families only pay 4.9 percent.

Virginia is a comparatively wealthy state with low taxes. In 2001, Virginia ranked 12th among the 50 states in per capita personal income, but 38th in per capita state spending.

Virginia’s tax system is inadequate. In 2003 Virginia ranked 43rd in state and local spending as a percentage of personal income.

Virginia’s state and local spending on human services is low, ranking 44th in the country as a percent of personal income in 1999. This ranking means tens of thousands of working poor Virginians go without health care coverage, mental health services, subsidized quality day care and other essential supports.

A refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit to offset other taxes paid by the poor.

Income tax reform that makes the tax fairer — updating exemptions, deductions and brackets.

Providing adequate state revenue for the needs of the common good, especially for vital human services.

Broadening the sales tax base to more services and removing the sales tax on food.

Other issues of concern to the Catholic community include: at-risk children and youth, aging, campaign finance and government reform, criminal and juvenile justice, discrimination/hate crimes, domestic violence, education, environment, firearm violence, hunger, and legal aid.

For a summary of the Church’s teaching on these and other social issues, visit the Web site of the USCCB at www.usccb.org. See especially the departments of Pro-Life Activities and Social Development and World Peace. You can also contact the Office of Justice and Peace of the Diocese of Richmond or visit their Web site at www.richmonddiocese.org/ojp/.

The Diocese of Arlington has several means of making it easy for YOU to make a difference. Check them out below:

Arlington Diocesan Web site: www.arlingtondiocese.org.

Routinely publishes information on the status of legislative initiatives; especially the peace and justice commission page

Arlington Catholic HERALD for current information on state legislative issues.

Call 703/841-2590 to subscribe or visit their Website: www.catholicherald.org

The Arlington Diocese Office for Family Life (Respect Life Program)

Sign up for newsletter — Lifelines — or e-mail action alerts: 200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 523, Arlington, Va. 22203,

703/841-2550, e-mail: familylife@arlingtondiocese.org.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington, Parish Social Ministry

Contact Anne Murphy at 703/841-3831 or amurphy@ccda.net

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP)

Call 804/643-2474 for membership information or visit their Web site: www.viccp.org.

Virginia Society for Human Life [The state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee]

7231 Forest Ave., Suite 200, Richmond, Va. 23226

804/282-8745 or www.vshl.org

For the status of legislation, contact: http://legis.state.va.us/LIS/Sessions.htm

Arlington Diocese Peace and Justice Commission

Fr. Gerry Creedon, Chairman

703-527-5500, ext 16 or gerrycreedon@erols.com

h Identify yourself and your parish.

h Focus on one issue. Use the bill number, if possible.

h Be personal. Do not use a form letter; adapt it.

h Be positive and constructive.

h Describe any personal experience you have.

h Ask questions that require a response.

h Enclose informational materials, if you have any.

h Write a thank you note if a legislator votes with you.

h Write a polite letter of disappointment if they don’t.

h Give your name, address and parish.

h Focus on one issue.

h Be brief.

h Indicate your position.

h Use the bill number, if possible.

h Ask for your message to be repeated.

h Thank the aide for taking the message.

h Make an appointment.

h Focus on one or two issues.

h Begin with a warm introduction, noting your parish membership.

h Be brief and concise.

h Leave written materials, if you have any.

h Conclude on a positive note. (Keep the door open to future dialogue.)

h Write a thank you note reiterating your position.

To let legislators know your views during the General Assembly, call their toll free Constituent Viewpoint operators at 800/889-0229 or their offices directly.

The Honorable __________

P.O. Box 396

Richmond, Va. 23218

Dear Senator ___________:

The Honorable __________

P.O. Box 406

Richmond, Va. 23218

Dear Delegate __________:

Visit the Virginia General Assembly’s Web site to contact legislators and to get information on pending legislation at http://legis.state.va.us/.

Attend Catholic Advocacy Day on Monday, Jan. 26, from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church (adjacent to Capitol square in Richmond). The day begins with prayer and a briefing. It’s a great day to visit your legislators. To register, download the registration form from the Internet at www.richmonddiocese.org/ojp/. You will need free Adobe Acrobat software that is available from this Web site: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Or simply call the Diocese of Richmond’s Office of Justice and Peace by Jan. 20 at 804/359-5661 to register. The "snow date" is Jan. 28.

For the names of your legislators, call your city or county Voter Registration office or visit the Web site conview.state.va.us/whosmy/constinput.asp.