Bishops call on Catholics to be educated, speak out on stem-cell research

Raleigh, N.C., Jan 23, 2007 / 07:05 am

The bishops of North Carolina are calling on the state’s 400,000 Catholics to learn more about embryonic stem-cell research and to join them in defeating pending legislation that will likely recommend state funding.

Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte and Bishop Michael Burbidge of Raleigh have sent joint letters to all pastors in North Carolina, urging them to acquaint their parishioners with the Catholic Church’s teachings on stem-cell research.

The letters were sent with a three-part document about the Church’s teaching on stem-cell research, written in an easily understood manner by a committee of Catholic doctors, scientists, and theologians.  The document is to be included in parish bulletins this month.

The inserts are titled “Introduction to the Ethics and Science of Stem Cell Research,” “Myths and Facts of Stem Cell Research” and “A Call to Action.”

In their letter, the bishops said Catholics must be educated in order to voice their opposition to the research and to any proposed public funding.

Over the past two years, a House health subcommittee of the N.C. General Assembly has been studying House Bill 632, the Stem Cell Research Health and Wellness Act, which would provide taxpayer funding for embryonic stem-cell research within North Carolina.