Letter from Bishop Murphy on Voting and the Upcoming Elections
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
With Election Day just two weeks away, the decisions you and I will make are important ones. Each and every one of us has a very important role to play. We have to decide who will get our vote. Permit me the opportunity to share with you some thoughts I ask you to consider.
First and foremost, pray. Spend time in prayer asking God to guide you and your family and our country during this time. Pray before the Blessed Sacrament, pray to the Blessed Mother, pray the rosary and entrust your decision to our Lord.
Like many of you, I lament the current climate of division, and the mean-spiritedness and intolerance of some toward those who do not agree with candidates and positions that do not fit their worldview. If you think you are confused and slightly battered by the noise, public protests and private misgivings, you have every reason to be so. But as responsible citizens and faithful men and women of God, we have to exercise our right to vote in a way that is serious, well-informed and reflective of who we are as Americans and Catholics.
We believe in God. We know He is the creator and thus God is intimately present in all things -- the world, human life, communities, choices and elections. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said, "Those who deny God can lead us only in a direction that ultimately is destructive."
The human person, made in the image and likeness of God, is the ultimate measure of what is good or bad, right or wrong. Every person is sacred and has inherent rights which political leaders must protect and serve. Those who do not are unworthy of our vote. Those who contradict themselves by saying one thing and doing another are unworthy of our vote.
Many issues are very important in our society today. But none of them can eclipse the centrality of human life, especially innocent human life in the womb or at the end of life. Above all and over all, the number one issue more fundamental and crucial than any other is abortion - that is the direct taking of innocent life, which is financed by government funds -- the diversion of our tax dollars to abortionists like Planned Parenthood as well as government insistence that we Catholics, like the Little Sisters of the Poor, violate our consciences to advance such programs.
Support of abortion by a candidate for public office, some of whom are Catholics, even if they use the fallacious and deeply offensive "personally opposed but . . ." line, is reason sufficient unto itself to disqualify any and every such candidate from receiving our vote. Let me repeat that: Support of abortion by a candidate for public office, some of whom are Catholics, even if they use the fallacious and deeply offensive "personally opposed but . . ." line, is reason sufficient unto itself to disqualify any and every such candidate from receiving our vote.
I have three questions to end this letter! Please reflect upon these as you examine your conscience and prepare to exercise your right to vote.
1. Do you think our country is going in the right direction or the wrong direction? I believe it is heading in the wrong direction. If I am right, then,
2. Of the two candidates running for president, and of all of the candidates running for elective office, whether federal, state or local, which ones will continue to lead us in the current direction or which are more likely to restore justice in those areas that cry out for such a restoration?
3. Which ones are willing to lead us in a direction that is more pro life, more pro family and more pro truth? Which ones will recognize and respect the role of religion in the lives of citizens and the Church's right to mediate the truths of the Gospel and the Church's teaching as part of the public life of our country, in public ministries like health care, education and charitable works, without being forced to adopt and facilitate those cultural practices that are not consonant with Church teaching?
For further insight, I have written two columns on voting in The Long Island Catholic Magazine. They are also available on the diocesan website, www.drvc.org. In addition, the U.S. Bishops have prepared a teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics called "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship". It is also available online. I urge you to consider thoughtfully these resources along with this letter as you go through the process of deciding whom you will support with your vote.
May God bless you and your families and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
William Murphy
Bishop of Rockville Centre
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FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
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Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship
Catholics Care. Catholics Vote.
"We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern." - Pope Francis, 9/16/13
The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (
en Español), our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. For more information visit
our website.
You will also find
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November 1:
Solemnity of All Saints
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
1 JN 3:1-3
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November 2
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
(All Souls)
Jesus said to the crowds:
"Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day."
JN 6:37-40
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Respect Life Website Donation Page
Join our Mission to Serve Life!
The Respect Life Office enunciates and promotes the principle that human life, at all stages from conception to natural death, is a gift from God, worthy of respect and protection. You can now make an online donation to the Respect Life Office.
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"You are the salt of the earth. . . You are the light of the world. . . your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5: 13, 14, 16).
This campaign raises funds to support maternity residences in our diocese. The economic requirements of this ministry are substantial and your active assistance would be greatly appreciated.
The Respect Life Office's annual Advent program helps support young mothers in maternity homes on Long Island who have chosen life.
Your generous donation will help maternity Homes on Long Island:
- Regina Maternity Services
- Mother of Good Counsel Home
- Momma's House
- Bethany house
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Respect Life Contest 2017
Contest Theme - MOVED BY MERCY
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15th Annual Youth Respect Life Contest for grades 7-8 (Level ONE), and grades 9-12 (Level TWO.) We welcome all Catholic youth in the Rockville Centre Diocese attending Catholic elementary, high schools or parish programs including religious education, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, youth groups and youth choirs to participate. We encourage children with special needs to also participate.
All entries must be attached to the registration form, postmarked by
December 16, 2016.
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Join us on January 27, 2017 as we come together to support Life. For more information or to download registration forms visit our
website.
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Respect Life Parish Ministry Educational Overview Training
Now available online for Respect Life Parish Ministry Educational Overview Training. Please go to our
website to start your training and gain insightful knowledge on Respect Life Issues or Concern's.
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Educación en línea construyendo una cultura de vida, Educación y Formación General Para el Ministerio Parroquial de
Respeto a la Vida
El entrenamiento en línea de Educación y formación general para el Ministerio Parroquial del Respeto a la Vida, está ahora disponible. Por favor, vaya a nuestra página del internet para empeza su entrenamiento y obtenga conocimiento profundo sobre asuntos del respeto a la vida y otros asuntos.
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Blog:
BECOME A SHEPHERD & HELP STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING
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Pray to End Human Trafficking
2nd blog post in a series of 5 read the first post here
By: Nicole Quaranto
Did you know that Saint Josephine Bakhita is considered the patron saint of human trafficking? Saint Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan circa 1869. As a young child, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. It was not until she was bought, and essentially rescued, by an Italian consul named Callisto Legnani that she was freed from the terrors of human trafficking.
Just like Saint Josephine Bakhita, it is vital for all victims of human trafficking to understand God's love for them and His desire forthe protection of their lives. Human trafficking violates an essential theme of Catholic Social Teaching: "The Life and Dignity of the Human Person." In short, this theme encompasses the idea that all human lives are sacred and all people have the right to life from conception through natural death. The violent practices of forced sexual and physical labor in many instances of human trafficking infringe on the rights all people have as expressed in Catholic Social Teaching.
Read More
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Gianna of Long Island
Center for Women's Health & Fertility
Comprehensive, Cooperative: A Unique New Approach to Women's Health and Wellness
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Our highly skilled team is delighted to offer an exciting approach to women's health care. We provide preventive and specialized obstetrical and gynecologic care to women, honoring their dignity and the sanctity of human life. While we are successfully able to address male infertility as well, we are uniquely qualified to care for women of all ages and at all stages of life.
Named after
St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the Gianna of Long Island Center for Women's Health & Fertility is pleased to feature two unique women's health services-the
Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System and NaProTECHNOLOGY™, both of which allow us to provide women with a natural, restorative, scientifically-based approach to improving health and respecting fertility.
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CHS's Gianna Center and Pregnancy Support Website
Catholic Health Services (CHS) now offers a dedicated, interactive website section for the Gianna Center and its pregnancy support services. The Gianna Center based at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center offers highly specialized restorative reproductive medicine in accordance with Catholic teaching, under the medical direction of Paul Carpentier, MD, CFCMC. Also, assistance is available for anyone with unexpected or crisis pregnancy through a one-call outreach program connecting to community resources.
The confidential, dedicated telephone number for this program is
1 (855) 301-4CHS
, supported by the availability of multilingual interpretive services. Anyone of any faith may call or refer to this support line, including representatives of parishes, colleges and crisis pregnancy centers, to facilitate safe, nonjudgmental companioning for women and couples in a crisis pregnancy. To speak to someone about pregnancy options immediately between 7:00 pm and 7:30 am Monday to Friday or on the weekend, please call
1 (800) 712-HELP (4357).
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Do you know someone who is suffering abortion loss, their is hope and healing after abortion.
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Project Rachel Hope After Abortion
I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion... do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope...the Father of mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and His peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation." (Evangelium Vitae no. 99, John Paul II)
Project Rachel
Hope After Abortion website or call the Respect Life Office's confidential hotline:
1-888-456-HOPE (se habla espanol) to begin healing after abortion loss.
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Entering Canaan Day of Prayer and Healing for Women
Prayer and Healing Retreats, help those suffering the effects of abortion. We offer a safe place, a way out of the pain, in a non-judgmental atmosphere. All retreats are
led by the Sisters of Life and women who have experienced both the suffering of abortion and the joy of healing in Christ.
For more information visit our website
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Entering Canaan
DAYS OF PRAYER & HEALING
for women
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Saturday, February 4, 2017
(in Spanish)
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
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For more information or to register contact
Sisters of Life
or
Theresa Bonopartis
877.586.4621 (toll free)
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The Day of Prayer and Healing for Women is a opportunity to experience the loving mercy of God in a safe and sacred space
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Date on Saturday, December 10, 2016 on Long Island
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Entering Canaan
DAY OF PRAYER & HEALING
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UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
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1
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Solemnity of All Saints
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20
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The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
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The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
(All Souls)
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21
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Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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4
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24
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Happy Thanksgiving
And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people's growth from their mother's womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
Sirach 50:22
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14
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27
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First Sunday of Advent
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15
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Education on Opposition to Assisted Suicide - St Bernard's, Levittown
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28
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Monday of the First Week in Advent
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WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDA
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Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin. |
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BULLETIN INSERTS - FOR PARISH RESPECT LIFE
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Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
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DEUS CARITAS EST
... GOD IS LOVE
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Allison O'Brien, Director
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty, CSJ Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
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Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
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CONTACT US
RESPECT LIFE OFFICE
50 North Park Ave.
F: (516) 536-3473
Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
P: (516) 678-5800
Exts.626 & 381
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE!
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