Bishop Olmsted’s booklet on Catholic civics reaches more than 100,000

Dallas, Texas, Oct 25, 2008 / 07:03 am

Bishop of Phoenix Thomas Olmsted’s pocket-sized book Catholics in the Public Square, which examines political issues from a Catholic perspective, has entered its second printing, Basilica Press announced on Friday. Copies of the book have been distributed to 107,500 Catholics in the Diocese of Phoenix and the Diocese of Gallup, in addition to another 100,000 copies which were distributed in 2006.

In his book Bishop Olmsted discusses how Catholics can influence the nation and the political process in the light of their Catholic faith. New topics in the booklet include the responsibilities of Catholic institutions, the responsibilities of Catholic businessmen, and immigration concerns.

The bishop writes of “non-negotiable” political issues for Catholics, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia.

Abortion and marriage are particularly topical issues in this year’s election. Arizona, California, and Florida, for instance, all have ballot measures to ensure their constitutions define marriage as a union of a man and a woman.

In Arizona, internal polling by marriage proponents reports that Catholics in the Public Square is increasing support for the protection of marriage.

Bishop Olmsted described his reasons for re-releasing the book, saying:

“Not to act when our neighbor’s life or the foundation of the family is at stake, as in the case of not attempting to protect unborn children threatened by abortion or to protect the institution of marriage, is a particularly grave scandal of omission. Jesus said, ‘Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur’” (Lk 17:1).

Catholics in the Public Square can be purchased from Basilica Press at 800-933-9398. It retails for $4.95, with bulk discounts available.