The Mission of Catholic
Alliance
Catholic
Alliance is an independent, non-partisan, issue focused Catholic citizens'
movement promoting the common good. We seek to infuse the political process and
public conversation with the values informed by our Catholic faith. We are
dedicated to the dignity of all human life, primacy of the family, authentic
freedom, and solidarity with the poor and needy.
The Four Pillars of Catholic Alliance
The Dignity of All Human Life
We seek to rebuild
a culture of life, where all life, from conception to natural death, is
esteemed, honored, and given legal protection. We oppose the culture of death,
contraception, and materialism by proposing a culture of love, life and
fidelity.
Primacy of the Family
We believe that the
family is the first church, the first school, the first hospital, the
first economy, and the first vital cell of society. We oppose efforts to
redefine marriage by
sanctioning promiscuous sexual relations, homosexual or heterosexual. We propose
and support legislation that recognizes the two parent, opposite sex, marriage
bound family as the primary mediating institution of society - public policy
which has in its embrace single parents, widows and orphans.
Authentic Freedom
We believe that
authentic freedom is bounded by truth and personal responsibility, One of
the errors of the current age is the near worship of choice itself as a new
absolute. We are opposed to the new libertine license masquerading as freedom,
and promote authentic freedom bounded by truth and personal responsibility. This
includes the first freedom, religious freedom.
Solidarity with the Poor and Needy
We seek to promote
genuine compassion for the poor, which is epitomized by personal involvement
between the provider and the recipient. We oppose the substitution of
dehumanizing government bureaucracies for real charity. We propose and support
legislation which facilitates real charity and limits government to those roles
only government can fulfill.
NOTE: Catholic Alliance no longer receives any financial support from the
Christian Coalition. It is now a completely independent Catholic organization
that is receiving financial support from private donations.
CATHOLIC ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF BISHOPS' ADVISORY COUNCIL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NEAL HOGAN
MARCH 9,1998 (202)544-3603
Catholic Alliance announced today additional members of the Catholic Alliance
Bishops' Advisory Council. "We are deeply honored to have the prayer, example
and advice of these bishops. We desire above all else to be faithful to Catholic
teaching as we build a non- partisan Catholic voters' movement promoting the
common good. The Church has called for lay men and women to fully participate in
the political process to build a more just society, which respects the dignity
of all human life, the primacy of the family, authentic freedom and
solidarity. Our movement is in response to that call," said Deacon Keith A.
Fournier, President of Catholic Alliance.
"Our members are dedicated to effective political action and education in order
to change America. As we approach the third millennium, the need for an active
educated movement of Catholic voters has never been more urgent. We deeply
appreciate the support of Bishops McHugh and Egan in their leadership of this
advisory council as well as their demonstrated courage in their own pastoral
leadership."
"Catholic Alliance seeks to consolidate a Catholic vote for Life, Family,
freedom and Charity in the important 1998 and 2000 elections. Catholics are 23%
of the vote in the United States. No political party or candidate can afford to
ignore the Catholic vote.',
The Advisory Council is chaired by Bishops McHugh and Egan and includes:
Most Reverend Fabian W. Bruskewitz, Bishop of Lincoln. Bishop Bruskewitz was
ordained a priest in 1960 and consecrated in 1992.
Most Reverend Edward M. Egan, Bishop of Bridgeport. Bishop Egan co-chairs the
Advisory Council. Bishop Egan was ordained a priest in 1957 and previously
served as Auxiliary Bishop of New York. Bishop Egan was appointed ordinary of
Bridgeport in 1988.
Most Reverend James T. McHugh, Bishop of Camden. Bishop McHugh was ordained a
priest in 1957 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Newark in 1987. He was
consecrated Bishop of Camden in 1989.
Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton. Bishop Dougherty
was ordained a priest in 1957 and elevated to the episcopacy in 1995.
Most Reverend James C. Timlin, Bishop of Scranton. Bishop Timlin was ordained a
priest in 1951 and consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton in 1976. He was
elevated to the Scranton see in 1984.
The Alliance anticipates the membership of the Council growing in the months
ahead. Catholic Alliance has over 125,000 members and supporters nationwide.
