VATICAN CITY, January 16, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made public today a document restating the obligations of Christian politicians. "John Paul II, continuing the constant teaching of the Church, has reiterated many times that those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a 'grave and clear obligation to oppose' any law that attacks human life," says the document. "For (Catholic politicians), as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them," says the note.

The note says that politicians come up against "moral principles that do not admit of exception, compromise or derogation" for which they are required to vote in line with morality. According to the document these include laws respecting: "abortion and euthanasia"; "the duty to respect and protect the rights of the human embryo"; "monogamous marriage between a man and a woman"; that would place "other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage" or give them "legal recognition as such"; "the freedom of parents regarding the education of their children"; "religious freedom" and more.
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/jan/03011601.html
See the full document in today's LifeSite Special Report:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/jan/030116a.html