A bipartisan group of lay Catholics has issued a statement (text here) entitled "A Catholic Call to Observe Civility in Public Life."  The statement reads, in part:

As Americans we acknowledge deep divisions over some policy issues;and recognize that some, who are active in political life and whodiffer with the Churchs teachings on certain issues, such as,abortion, stem cell research, the death penalty, and the justificationfor war, air their differences in public and criticize the Church forthese teachings. Others, for political and even ecclesiastical reasons,seek the public embarrassment of politicians whose public positionsdiffer with Church teachings through the public refusal of thesacrament of Holy Communion or public admonition by the Bishops.

To right this wrong, we should observe the following principles.

• As Catholics we should not enlist the Church's moral endorsementfor our political preferences. We should do this out of respect for ourfellow Catholics of equally good will but differing politicalconvictions and our interest in protecting the clergy from being drawninto partisan politics to the detriment of the Church's integrity andobjectivity. 

• As lay Catholics we should not exhort the Church to condemnour political opponents by publicly denying them Holy Communion basedon public dissent from Church teachings. An individuals fitness toreceive communion is his or her personal responsibility. And it is abishop's responsibility to set for his diocese the guidelines foradministering communion.

• Catholic politicians who advertise their Catholicism as partof their political appeal, but ignore the Church's moral teachings intheir political life confuse non-Catholics by giving the appearance ofhypocrisy.

• Bishops, and all involved in the leadership of The Church,should not permit The Church to be used, or appear to be used, as apartisan, political tool.

• As Catholics we must learn to disagree respectfully andwithout judgment to avoid rudeness in expressing our opinions to thosewhom we suspect will disagree with us, or in reacting to others'expressions of opinion.

• As Catholics we need to keep in mind the common humanity thatwe share with those with whom we disagree. We must avoid seeing them as"the enemy" in a life-or-death, winner-take-all political contest.

• As Catholics we should never lose faith in the power of reason- a unique gift from God to mankind - and we should always keepourselves open to a reasoned argument. In this spirit we should defendour views and positions with conviction and patience, but without beingobnoxious or bullying.

• As lay Catholics we should not pass judgment, and should avoidpublic statements that undermine the authority of the Church's leaders.American Catholics know who their Church leaders are: their Bishops,Archbishops, and Cardinals.

Thoughts?