Archbishop's column

For the past six weeks, I have been writing about issues that Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has identified as moral challenges that we should regard as priorities for this election year. As we form our consciences and exercise our rights -- and responsibilities -- as faithful citizens, the following threats against individuals and the common good require our attention:

• Abortion and all threats against the dignity of human life

This is my 115th "Before the Cross" column for the St. Louis Review. During the past two and a half years, I have enjoyed receiving feedback on my columns. Most of the time, people write to express their appreciation. Sometimes, however, I receive letters in which writers express their disagreement. I welcome different points of view as long as they are respectful. We would all benefit from more respectful disagreement and dialogue -- especially in the political arena!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which was formed to be "of, by, and for the people," has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people – the Catholic population – and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

File Attachment: 

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson's letter to the faithful regarding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' mandate.

Catholic social teaching has articulated a simple but very important moral principal: The economy should exist for the good of human persons, not the other way around.

As we prepare for the important local, state and national elections that will be held later this year, we bishops of the United States have focused our attention on several current and fundamental problems that must be addressed by all of us as we form our consciences and vote as faithful citizens. Some of these problems involve opposition to intrinsic evils such as abortion and other threats to the lives and dignity of human beings.

Today we are facing grave and unprecedented threats to our religious freedom here in the United States.