The Catholic Democrats of Massachusetts, with the support of State Chairman Phil Johnston and Platform Committee Chair Martina Jackson, organized an interfaith conference May 13 and 14 in Lowell, Massachusetts, for delegates attending the State Platform Convention. Entitled "The Democratic Message," these two sessions probed the ways that Democrats are addressing an array of issues that are important to all people of conscience: health care disparities, abortion, gun violence, stagnation of middle class incomes, the role of religion in American politics, and the seismic shift toward more military spending in our federal budget. Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, who chairs the Catholic Working Group in the House of Representatives, wrote a letter of encouragement.

STATEMENT OF THE HON. ROSA L. DELAURO
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS CATHOLIC DEMOCRATS CONFERENCE
MAY 2005

Allow me to send my warmest regards to the delegates at the Massachusetts State Democratic Platform Convention - I wish I could be with all of you. As a Catholic Democrat, I appreciate all that you are doing to advance our values in the public sphere. Like you, I am proud of my faith and believe we as Democrats and as Catholics must speak to who we are and where we come from - the passions that motivate us. As Democrats, Catholic teachings gave us a commitment to the issues that have always been central to our faith. But perhaps most importantly, the church instilled in us the idea that government had moral purpose.

We all want our church to be a moral force in the broadest sense - to be in the vanguard of issues that make a more just America and a more just world. That is why I am working with my Democratic colleagues in the House, Minority Leader Pelosi and Catholics across the country to advance our common goals. For instance, I recently spoke at Georgetown University regarding the impact Social Security has had perpetuating Catholic values and promoting the common good.

Unfortunately, over the last few years, we have seen religion increasingly used as a political weapon. Like you, I believe the Church should seek to guide us on the right path. Focusing on a few issues alone risks a moral selectivity that weakens the Church's moral authority.

In my view, the Democrats were the party with the moral high ground in this last election - the party of values, concerned with moral choices, with right and wrong. That is why I am so supportive of your efforts - reaffirming the values important to Democrats and all people of conscience. Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the forum.

Best wishes,

Rosa L. DeLauro
Member of Congress