WASHINGTON (January 15, 2003) -- Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement welcoming the "Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life." The Doctrinal Note was issued by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, January 16.

Bishop Gregory said the Note "addresses some of the profound challenges faced by Catholic politicians and voters who are confronted with various moral and social issues in the context of a democratic society."

"The Catholic Church is rightly proud of the contribution of its members to the democratic process in this country," Bishop Gregory said. "We owe a debt of gratitude to those Catholics involved in politics at all levels who work to enact policies which truly respect the most essential moral values of our human nature. I hope that this letter will serve as an encouragement to them and a reminder to all of the profound duty and obligation which Catholics involved in politics have to work without exception or reservation for all of the goods rooted in our human nature," Bishop Gregory stated.

The doctrinal note, Bishop Gregory's statement, and a synopsis of the document prepared as a resource by staff of the USCCB, have been sent to all Catholic Bishops in the United States.

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