What does it mean to be a responsible citizen in today’s society?
To help answer that question, consider the following from the US Catholic Conference of Bishop’s Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship:
As a nation, we share many blessings and strengths, including a tradition of religious freedom and political participation. However, as a people, we face serious challenges that are both political and moral. This has always been so and as Catholics we are called to participate in public life in a manner consistent with the mission of our Lord, a mission that he has called us to share.
What Can I Do to be a Responsible Citizen?
- You can educate yourself on legislation that is being considered by the Connecticut legislature.
- You can let your voice be heard by emailing our legislators regarding current legislation.
| Bills being considered in Connecticut of importance right now, that are contradictory to our Catholic teaching, are SB835 and HB6425. Below are brief summaries of these bills, derived from the CT Catholic Public Affairs Conference website (www.action.ctcatholicpac.org). |
S.B.835 "An Act Concerning Deceptive Advertising Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers"
S.B. 835 is based on completely inaccurate and misleading information about pregnancy resource centers in our state and is part of a national campaign to discredit them.
Why oppose?
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What constitutes deceptive advertising under the proposed legislation is not defined and open to interpretation. The legislation leaves what constitutes deceptive advertising open to broad interpretation. Proponents of the legislation have stated they believe even a sign that says "Pregnant, Need Help, Call " is deceptive advertising because pro-life pregnancy care centers that use that phrase do not offer abortions.
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The proposed legislation gives the Attorney General untethered power to take legal action against pregnancy care centers. Who determines what is deceptive advertising under the law? The Attorney General. Does there have to be a complaint filed by a prospective client? No, the Attorney General can act on his own or at the encouragement of pro-abortion advocacy groups, such as NARAL.
Click here to send an email to your legislators
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H.B.6425 "An Act Concerning Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients"
Through H.B. 6425 the Connecticut General Assembly is considering legalizing a form of suicide in our state commonly referred to as "aid-in-dying" or "physician-assisted suicide".
This inherently discriminatory practice, that risks death to patients through mistakes, coercion and abuse should never be legalized in our state. This practice targets vulnerable patient populations, such as those with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities, the economically disadvantaged, and those with chronic illnesses.
At a time where suicides are at record levels, all Connecticut citizens facing very serious health challenges need access to more compassionate standard-of-care services to deal with isolation, depression, and other mental health challenges. Suicide should never be the solution.
Suicide should never be viewed as a morally acceptable solution to a problem. Legalizing assisted suicide can and will open a Pandora's box of problems. Assisting someone in killing themselves is misdirected compassion.
Click here to find and email your legislators regarding these bills
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To find out more about these and other bills and their impact on our faith, click here to go to the CT Catholic Public Affairs website.