U.S. bishops will offer an updated statement on faith and politics

The U.S. bishops will offer an updated statement on faith and politics after their general meeting next month, ahead of the 2008 election year. The proposed statement focuses on the bishops' role in helping to form consciences in political life. Statements on political life have been released by the bishops every four years for about three decades.

The draft to be discussed in November explains the necessity of opposing actions that are intrinsically wrong, such as abortion and euthanasia, and affirms the obligation to promote the common good by combating such threats to human life and dignity as hunger, poverty, racism, unjust immigration policies and unjust war.