California General Election: Life & Family Initiatives

January 18, 2012

 

Californians for Parental Rights initiative supports an amendment to the California constitution to endorse the role of the family in guiding children. It would protect the right of parents  to be involved in a minor’s decision to terminate a pregnancy by requiring physicians to notify parents 48 hours prior to performing an abortion on a minor under 18.  California currently has no parental involvement law.  I believe that the role of responsible parents in guiding a girl facing a pregnancy is essential to the Church’s commitment to family and our respect for the lives of both the unborn and that daughter. The Parental Notification Initiative assures that parents can reflect their values and exercise their responsibility in guiding and caring for their children.

 

The SAFE CALIFORNIA initiative supports legislation to replace the death penalty for a capital crime with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and to use some of the related cost savings to create a fund to solve open murder and rape cases. The use of the death penalty in California is unnecessary,impractical, expensive and risks the execution of innocent persons. The dignity of the human person is foundational to all morality. As Catholics, we hold human life as sacred. In the exercise of justice, we work to ensure that this principle permeates social policy for all lives, even of those who have caused grave harm to the community. We have long held that the use of the death penalty is no longer necessary to protect the community. The SAFE CALIFORNIA Initiative will help bring these vital moral values to the exercise of justice.

 

Both of these initiatives require the gathering of signatures  to qualify for the November 2012 general election ballot. The California Catholic Bishops generally do not take a position on any initiative until it has qualified for the ballot but the convergence of these two initiatives has presented us with a unique opportunity to share and support our Catholic understandings throughout the spectrum of life and family.

 

I encourage your active support and endorse the gathering of signatures for these initiatives at our parishes, especially on weekends through February 2012. To assure that we comply with obligations under California law and Archdiocesan policies, kindly use only California Catholic Conference or Archdiocesan material.  Petition forms and instructions may be provided by the official initiative committees and and parish volunteers may gather signatures. Further information on the initiatives is available on the links on the right of this page.

 

May the Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, bring you peace.

 

Most Reverend José H. Gomez