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We need your help! The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has put out an Action Alert entitled on pending legislation in front of the Senate.

Why this issue is important? Torture is abhorrent in the eyes of the Church as it undermines and debases the dignity of both victims and perpetrators. Pope Benedict XVI said, "I reiterate that the prohibition against torture 'cannot be contravened under any circumstance.'"

The Senate is expected to vote on H.R. 2082, the FY 2008 Intelligence Authorization Act, as soon as Wednesday Feb 13th. Contained in that bill is important anti-torture legislation (Section 327) which would expand the prohibition against torture of detainees to all U.S. intelligence agencies and their agents. The USCCB urge Senators to adopt this legislation as it is consistent with the Church’s belief in human dignity and because it would allow the U.S. to regain the moral high ground and restore our credibility in the international community.

What to do.

1. Read the action alert to see if your senator is targeted: http://www.catholicdemocrats.org/files/actionalert2082.pdf
2. Read Bishop Wenski's letter from January 30th: http://www.catholicdemocrats.org/files/Wenski.pdf
3. Call or Write your Senator via CapWiz at http://capwiz.com/c-span/
4. Send an email to roth@catholicdemocrats.org to let us know you took action.

For more information contact: Virginia Farris, Office of International Justice and Peace, USCCB, 202-541-3182, vfarris@usccb.org. See Bishop Thomas Wenski’s January 30, 2008 letter on torture which can be found with other material at www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/libertyind.shtml.

Sincerely

Bill Roth
Communications Director
Catholic Democrats