Current proposal reflects church’s position on life issues

The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota representing six dioceses providing updates and advice for Catholic voters throughout the 2005 legislative session.

by MN Catholic Conference

The church's position on life issues is fundamental. "Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching," say the US Catholic Bishops. Furthermore, our view of life is positive and affirming. We see every person - at every stage of life - as precious. We have consistently called for policies that protect and nurture life from conception to natural death.

Right now, there is a proposal before the legislature that reflects much of the church's position on life issues. This proactive, comprehensive initiative addresses a wide range of issues with the ultimate goal of assisting women in carrying their pregnancies to term. This proposal, cited as the Positive Alternatives Act, has the support of a majority of members in both the Minnesota House and Senate. In an interesting move, multiple identical versions of the bill were introduced in both bodies to accommodate all members wising to sponsor this legislation. So far 38 Senators and 73 House members have signed on, and Governor Pawlenty has indicated he supports the proposal. If enacted, this legislation would provide grants to organizations that counsel or provide services to pregnant women. Specifically, the bill would provide assistance related to prenatal medical care, nutritional support services, housing assistance, adoption services, education, employment assistance and parenting support services.

This legislation speaks directly to our assertion that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. As Pope John Paul II stated, "It is impossible to further the common good without acknow-ledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop."

To weigh in on this issue, you can contact your legislators and ask them to support the Positive Alternatives Act. For help contacting your State Representative call 1-800-657-3550, for your State Senator 1-888-234-1112 or visit the Minnesota Legislature's Web site at www.leg.mn or the Minnesota Catholic Conference at www.mncc.org for updated information on this and other issues.