One of the most complex and important questions facing policy makers is the role of religious institutions in the formulation of public policy and law. 

Religious institutions have made enormous contributions to modern society.  From humanitarian aid, including the provision of health care services and education, to a mediating role in resolving intractable civil conflicts, religion has been seen as a force for the good and a partner with government.

At the same time, conservative religious groups have been aggressively political in their attempts to recraft social policy in what is traditionally defined as the private sphere: family life, women’s rights and roles in public life, sexuality and reproduction.  The advances that have been made in granting women legal protection against discrimination and in expanding the definition of individual rights to include a woman’s right to make decisions about when, whether and how to have children had led to a significant political and cultural backlash, particularly among religious conservatives.

Catholics for Choice believes that the Catholic church has a right to behave as does every other interest group—that is, to present their opinions to elected officials in an attempt to influence public policy. 

CFC believes that individuals, as Catholics, have rights granted by the same church that now applies sanctions for the practice of those rights.

CFC also wants policy makers to understand their rights as Catholics. And while prochoice Catholic policy makers have a responsibility to respect the rights of the church lobby, they also have a responsibility to their constituency to legislate based on the common good.

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