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A PASTORAL STATEMENT FROM THE
 ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE BISHOPS
 ON THE 2006 GENERAL ELECTION
September 20, 2006

 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 public policy problems facing society. 

In this year’s general election, the Bishops have carefully weighed the various ballot measures and have decided to take a position on the following propositions: 

Proposition 107 (Protect Marriage Arizona) – Yes 

Protect Marriage Arizona is an initiative to amend the Arizona Constitution that we feel seeks to preserve the unique and irreplaceable status that marriage always has held in our society.  In supporting Proposition 107, we urge citizens to vote yes to assure that we preserve the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.  

By endorsing this proposition it should be clear that the Catholic Church sees every human being, no matter their sexual orientation, as a child of God, beloved in God's eyes and to be treated with respect. 

Proposition 203 (First Things First for Arizona’s Children) – Yes 

Proposition 203 will ensure that quality health care and educational programs are implemented to provide vulnerable children with the proper foundation and skills they will need before entering school.  The initiative also recognizes the importance that faith based organizations can have in this regard, along with various government programs, in offering parents different options for their children. 

 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 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 these or any other public policy issues of importance to the Catholic Church in Arizona, we invite you to visit www.azcatholicconference.org.

Most Rev. Donald E. Pelotte, S.S.S. 
Bishop of Gallup 

Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas
Bishop of Tucson

Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted 
Bishop of Phoenix