Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred from conception to natural death and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.  In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. 

  1. Continue to support improvement in Human Trafficking legislation
  2. Remove Nitrogen Hypoxia as a means of execution.
  3. Propose ways to increase research into root cause of infertility and continue IVF education.

 

Call to Family, Community, and Participation

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society — in economics and politics, in law and policy — directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

 

  1. Propose/support legislation and research for licensed adoptions.
  2. Support parental leave policies.
  3. Support implementation of the Educational Savings Account (ESA) and improve Tuition Donation Tax Credit Program
  4. Delay implementation of Computer Science requirement for schools to adapt curriculums
  5. Amend the Tuition Donation Tax Credit Program to allow for stack ability on the ESA; transition TDC for Department of Education to Department of Economic Development; federal Education for Children’s Choice Act

 

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

 

  1. Facilitate implementation of the Empowering Families to Live Well Council Act and funding of innovative poverty reduction programs (49th child poverty)
  2. Support specific initiatives related to the statute governing the Homeless Interagency Council to address homeless individuals and families in the state (approximately 3200).

 

Solidarity in Restorative Justice (Restore Victim, Offender and Community)/Immigration

We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be.  At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice.1

  1. Support best practice rehabilitative models for justice involved juveniles for non-violent offenses.
  2. Support retroactivity of non-unanimous jury law; support the 1200 still in jail
  3. Continue to improve reasonable and safe reduction in solitary confinement in prisons.
  4. Maintain dignity and respect for the migrant community and catholic social teaching principles of immigration. ( See Backgrounder)

 

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected–the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
  1. Improve workforce development programs that allow work without cutting off benefits
  2. abruptly (benefits cliff)
  3. Support increasing the minimum wage. (33% of single mothers at low wages); La. with 2.8% on Minimum Wage; highest in the nation; about 56,000 (2,000,000 in workforce)

 

 

Care for God’s Creation

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation.  It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
  • Support improvement in air and water quality in underserved communities and monitor impact on the unborn and maternal health
  • Support the Fortified Roof program with funding and improved access to those with most need.
  • Continue to remediate orphaned wells and lead pipe remediation programs
  • Monitor for community input on carbon capture projects