Catholics press their viewpoints despite turmoil at State Capitol

"The needs of the poor don't stop when the Governor is involved in a sex scandal. The needs of Catholic schools don't stop. Global warming still exists. We have urgent priorities," stated Dennis Poust of the New York State Catholic Conference.

His views seemed to mirror those of the majority of about 1,000 Catholics from across New York State who turned out for the annual Public Policy Day at the State Capitol on March 11.

The Catholic Conference speaks for the state's bishops on public policy matters.

Issue list

Most participants told The Evangelist that, while they were concerned about Gov. Eliot Spitzer's alleged involvement, revealed the previous day, with a prostitution ring, they expected to meet with state lawmakers as planned.

Participants were lobbying their elected officials on a full slate of issues:

* opposition to Gov. Spitzer's abortion bill;

* support for education tax credits;

* opposition to legalizing "same-sex marriage" or civil unions;

* support for the poor and working poor (including affordable housing, child care and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit);

* support for increased access to health insurance for the poor and middle class;

* support for immigrants and migrants; and

* support for a reduction in the state's greenhouse gas emissions.

Top of agenda

Abortion clearly topped the list. Pamela Millillo of St. Anthony's parish in Schenectady called the Governor's radical pro-abortion bill "worse than Roe vs. Wade," the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling that legalized abortion throughout the U.S.

Thomas Going of St. Edward's Church in Clifton Park labeled the Governor's proposal "excessive and cruel."

"It's quite frightening," Mrs. Millillo stated. "I'm here to speak up for life."

Provisions

The bill would allow not just doctors, but any healthcare practitioner, to perform abortions; would eliminate any state regulations on abortion (such as parental consent for minors); and could even require Catholic healthcare facilities to support or allow abortions.

Pat and John Moreton of St. Mary's parish in Coxsackie found that aspect so alarming that they called Sen. James Seward's office to personally schedule a meeting with him about it.

Mr. Moreton, a member of the adamantly pro-life Knights of Columbus, told The Evangelist that the bill was flatly wrong and would make New York State take another step backwards in defending life.

Mrs. Moreton was not discouraged by the possibility that Sen. Seward might send an aide to the meeting in his place, since the State Legislature is in turmoil over the allegations against the Governor.

The senator's staff "is up on everything," the forum-goer said.

Voice of voters

Having "common interests" with Assemblyman Peter Lopez, a Catholic, was reassuring to Mary Howard of Sacred Heart parish in Palenville.

A first-timer at the lobby day, she also planned to focus on the abortion issue in her meeting with the lawmaker; but she admitted she was distracted by the scandal rocking the State Capitol.

"Obviously, [Gov. Spitzer] doesn't take family life and family values as seriously as I would expect," she said. "To have a Governor who's made his career of enforcing laws breaking laws doesn't give me the respect the office should have."

On the other hand, Mrs. Howard said that she has worked for two county governments and listened to people's concerns, so she trusted that Assemblyman Lopez would give hers a fair hearing.

Youth's views

For Keil McCarran, a teen from St. Mary's Church in Coxsackie, the lure of missing a day of school was one reason to attend the Public Policy Day, but another was speaking his piece on the rights of immigrants to Assemblyman Timothy Gordon.

"I did a little research," he explained, pulling a stack of closely written index cards out of his back pocket and launching into his targeted concerns: that healthcare policies consider the needs of immigrants and migrants, and that English as a Second Language programs be created for their benefit.

"I'm interested in the politics that run our lives," Keil noted.

Change and Church

At a morning workshop for youth, Rev. Paul Catena urged participants to use their relationship with Christ to change for the better, and then take that need for change out into the world.

"Religion plays a role in politics," he affirmed. "That's why you're here today."

The teens, in turn, challenged the priest and former Senate staffer with enthusiastic debate on same-sex marriage and global warming.

"You've got to love the passion," Father Catena responded.

Bishops' dialogue

Bishops Howard J. Hubbard of the Albany Diocese and Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese were joined by Kathleen Gallagher of the Catholic Conference in a joint keynote on political responsibility.

"Often, we bishops are like generals without armies," Bishop Hubbard remarked.

He explained that Catholic officials often sit down to discuss issues with state lawmakers, knowing their views will be ignored because the legislators know "it isn't going to cost them anything" when Catholics are not unified on issues of concern.

"It's important they know that there is a 'Catholic voter' out there," the Bishop stated, referring to the large buttons with that slogan worn by forum-goers.

Mrs. Gallagher pointed out that, through the statewide Catholic Advocacy Network (CAN), 28,000 Catholics have already sent messages to state lawmakers protesting the Governor's abortion bill, so Catholics can make a difference.

Consciences

The two bishops urged Catholics to explore a document issued by the U.S. bishops last November, titled "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," and to look at Church social teachings about human rights, defense of human dignity, the institutions of marriage and family, respect for the earth, and more.

"We must cast our vote through that lens. If that's mixing religion with politics, so be it," Bishop Hubbard told the group. "Too often, people are influenced by the values of their culture, rather than the values of their Catholic, Christian faith."

One participant questioned the bishops on whether to reject certain political candidates for being pro-abortion.

"I don't want the Church to tell me who to vote for, and I represent the Church," Bishop DiMarzio replied. "We are in the business of forming consciences, not directing votes."

Speaking out

At the Capitol and Legislative Office Building, current and future voters were making their voices heard according to their consciences:

* Brandon Burke of St. Luke's parish in Schenectady was missing classes at Schenectady High School to tell Assemblyman George Amedore that he "does not fully agree" with either the legalization of same-sex unions or the proposed abortion bill.

* Promoting health care for the state's uninsured was high on Mr. Going's agenda. "It's an embarrassment to the world that we have so many people without health insurance, especially kids," he stated.

* Bob Desroses brought several youth from the Confirmation class at St. Mary's parish in Coxsackie "to see that the Church and state really do work together. Laws affect people of faith."

(At the youth workshop on the legislative agenda, Rev. Paul Catena led participants in a prayer for Gov. Spitzer that reminded Catholics not to "gloat or rejoice" over the Governor's crisis, but to pray he finds freedom through following God. Read previous stories on the Public Policy Day at www.evangelist.org.)

AWAITING NEWS ON GOVERNOR

As well as meeting with legislators, lobby day attendees were awaiting news about whether Gov. Spitzer would resign from office.

Questions abounded about whether Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who was raised Catholic, might be sympathetic to Catholic views or keep to the political views he shares with Gov. Spitzer.

Dennis Poust of the Catholic Conference pointed out that Mr. Paterson has been a strong advocate for embryonic stem-cell research, which the Church opposes.

"I don't think anybody can possibly speculate how things will go," Mr. Poust remarked. (KB)

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