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A Message from Religious Leaders
The following is part of a statement by the Arizona Conference of Catholic Bishops
about the November 7, 2006 election.
“In light of the upcoming general election, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic
Conference (ACC) want to encourage all citizens to exercise their civic responsibility by voting on November 7th.
The duty to vote is always an important responsibility, but it is especially so in this year’s general election where the winners of many of the State’s top elected offices, as well as some very important ballot measures, will be decided. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that the outcomes from this election will determine the direction of our State on important public policy issues for many years to come.
While the Catholic Church encourages civic participation and speaks out on issues from time to time, it is never engaged in partisan politics and does not endorse candidates. The involvement of the Catholic Church on political matters, rather, is to evaluate issues and propose solutions to important policy problems facing society.
Proposition 300 ( Public Program Eligibility) –No
“This measure, among other things, would deny in-state college tuition to many students who came to our country at a very young age and have no other home. It is patently unfair to deny these children, who have graduated from Arizona elementary and high schools, the same opportunities afforded to the rest of their classmates. We urge you to vote no on Proposition 300 because it would unnecessarily punish these children and deny them an opportunity to become productive members of society.
While nations need to protect their borders, we ought not as a society impose punitive measures on children and prevent them from educational opportunities.”
For more information on this or any other public policy issues of importance to the
Catholic Church in Arizona, we invite you to visit www.azcatholicconference.org..org.
Source: A Pastoral Statement from the Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops
on the 2006 General Election
September 20, 2006
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