Where does CatholicVote stand on life issues?

We believe in the dignity of every human life, from conception until natural death. Every human life is a great gift with unlimited potential. We are for life, without exception, and we promote a culture that celebrates life. Laws permitting abortion and euthanasia for any reason, and at any time, are unjust. As a country, we have a special duty to protect the vulnerable and innocent among us. Thanks to advanced technology, the death penalty is an unnecessary legal penalty in the developed world.

Where does the Catholic Church stand on life issues?

Abortion:  “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.” (CCC 2271)

Euthanasia: “Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.” (CCC 2277)

Death Penalty: “Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person. Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm—without definitively taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself—the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity ‘are very rare, if not practically non-existent.’” (CCC 2267)

What do I need to know about Roe v. Wade?

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court invented a “right to privacy,” legalizing abortion in all 50 states. Since then, over 55 million abortions have been performed in the United States. Each January, tens of thousands of pro-life Americans peacefully protest the decision at the Supreme Court. Hundreds of other local and state marches take place each year for those who are unable to travel to DC.

Participate: National March for Life in Washington, DC

What is the state of abortion in America today?

Following Roe v. Wade, the number of abortions performed across the country spiked. Due to the tireless work of the pro-life movement and state laws restricting abortions, the number of abortions performed is now at its lowest level since Roe v. Wade.

Read: U.S. Abortion Rate Hits Lowest Level Since 1973 (Guttmacher Institute)

Abortion is a billion dollar industry that continues to manipulate women and kill the innocent. Planned Parenthood, an organization that masquerades as a women’s health clinic, is the nation’s largest abortion provider. In addition to profiting off abortion services, the organization unjustly receives half a billion dollars in federal taxpayer funds.

Participate: Search your elected officials to see if they have profited from Planned Parenthood’s industry.

Should I prioritize life issues at the voting booth?

Yes! As Catholics, we are not single-issue voters, but the Church is clear that abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicide are grave moral issues that are always intrinsically evil. Voting for a politician who supports the direct killing of the innocent is never acceptable, even if he or she promises to reduce this violence in other ways (such as through the reduction of poverty).

Read: Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics, a statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States

What can I do?

  1. Build a culture of life. The pro-life movement has grown exponentially among the youth through joyful witness to the beauty of all life. 
  2. Support pro-life legislation. The number of abortions performed each year has steadily decreased with the implementation of restrictions on abortion.
  3. Advocate for pro-life Supreme Court Justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade.
  4. Offer pregnancy resources to those in need.
  5. Oppose attempts to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia. Direct killing of an innocent human life is always wrong, regardless of how ill or impaired that person might be.