Press Release from U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, September 2, 2008:

CHURCH TEACHING AGAINST ABORTION CONSTANT THROUGH CENTURIES

WASHINGTON - To help end confusion caused by recent misrepresentations of Catholic Church teaching on abortion, the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities has issued a two-page fact sheet called "Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church’s Constant Teaching."

Public debate on the topic was prompted by misleading remarks by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, August 24 in an interview on Meet the Press. On August 26, Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Lori, chairman of their Committee on Doctrine, issued a statement to correct her remarks. Other Catholic bishops released similar statements.

"This well documented fact sheet will help Catholics and others form their consciences in accordance with the Church’s unchanging teaching in defense of unborn human life," said Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy and Communications at the USCCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.

Among other points, the fact sheet states that "modern science has not changed the Church’s constant teaching against abortion, but has underscored how important and reasonable it is, by confirming that the life of each individual of the human species begins with the earliest embryo."

Click here for the full text of "Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church’s Constant Teaching". Click here for the August 26 statement by Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Lori .

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Cardinal George's Letter on the Church's Teaching on Abortion

"Guidelines on Political Activities for Parishes and Catholic Church Organizations" from the Catholic Conference of Illinois.

 "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Double-sided bulletin stuffer

"Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church's Constant Teaching" Double-sided bulletin stuffer on how the Church has affirmed the moral evil of abortion from the time it was founded by Jesus Christ.

"The Prevention Deception: How Not to Reduce Abortion" Article on how contraceptive use does not reduce abortions or unplanned pregnancies, and actually increases them in some cases

"Conscience and the Catholic Voter" Article by Bishop Lori published in USCCB Respect Life Program.

Resources from the USCCB Parish Respect Life Kit, in English and Spanish

Vicar General's letter to priests on voter education in parishes

USCCB Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) Flier