Responding to a recent statement by Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives affirming "the primacy of conscience" in their voting decisions, three key leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said conscience "must be consistent with fundamental moral principles," including the church's opposition to abortion.

"As members of the church, all Catholics are obliged to shape our consciences in accord with the moral teaching of the church," said a "Statement on Responsibilities of Catholics in Public Life," which called abortion "a grave violation of the most fundamental human right --- the right to life."

The March 10 statement was signed by Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities; Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington, chairman of the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians; and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, N.Y., chairman of the Committee on Domestic Policy.

In their Feb. 28 statement, 55 of the 73 Catholic Democrats in the House acknowledged Catholic teaching on "the value of human life and the undesirability of abortion" and pledged to support alternatives to abortion, such as adoption, improved access to children's health care and child care, and "policies that encourage paternal and maternal responsibility."

"In all these issues, we seek the church's guidance and assistance but believe also in the primacy of conscience," the statement said. "In recognizing the church's role in providing moral leadership, we acknowledge and accept the tension that comes with being in disagreement with the church in some areas."

Some of the politicians who signed that statement are strongly pro-life while others support keeping abortion legal.

The USCCB chairmen said they welcomed "this and other efforts that seek to examine how Catholic legislators bring together their faith and their policy choices," and said Catholics are called "to defend human life and human dignity whenever they are threatened."

"While it is always necessary to work to reduce the number of abortions by providing alternatives and help to vulnerable parents and children, Catholic teaching calls all Catholics to work actively to restrain, restrict and bring to an end the destruction of unborn human life," the Catholic leaders said.

The politicians said they were "committed to making real the basic principles that are at the heart of Catholic social teaching: helping the poor and disadvantaged, protecting the most vulnerable among us, and ensuring that all Americans of every faith are given meaningful opportunities to share in the blessings of this great country."

"That commitment is fulfilled in different ways by legislators but includes: reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war," they said. "Each of these issues challenges our obligations as Catholics to community and helping those in need."

The USCCB chairmen said the House members rightly recognized "that Catholics in public life must act seriously and responsibly on many important moral issues."

"A priority for the poor, the protection of family life, the pursuit of justice and the promotion of peace are fundamental priorities of the Catholic moral tradition which cannot be ignored or neglected," they said. "We encourage and will continue to work with those in both parties who seek to act on these essential principles in defense of the poor and vulnerable."

The Catholic leaders then quoted from "Christifideles Laici," Pope John Paul II's 1988 apostolic exhortation on the vocation and mission of the laity, another section of which the politicians had cited.

"The common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights --- for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture --- is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination," the late pope said.

The USCCB chairmen continued: "As the church carries out its central responsibility to teach clearly and help form consciences, and as Catholic legislators seek to act in accord with their own consciences, it is essential to remember that conscience must be consistent with fundamental moral principles....

"As bishops, we too are bound by our own consciences to teach faithfully and to recommit ourselves to continued reflection and discussion on how Catholic faith and public service can work together to promote human life and dignity and advance the common good," they said.

"Through dialogue, especially the irreplaceable dialogue between Catholic political leaders and their own bishops, we hope to promote a better understanding of how the church's teaching on human life and dignity challenges us all."

---CNS