News Briefs: Evening Prayer for those who have died MADISON -- A special Evening Prayer for those who mourn the death of a loved one will be held Friday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. Steven Harrison, who is completing his master of arts degree in pastoral liturgy and music at St. Joseph College, has prepared the prayer based on the Office for the Dead, part of the church's funeral rites. This prayer may be celebrated anytime, but it is especially appropriate during the month of November, when Christians remember those who have died as they wait in hope for the return of Christ. Evening Prayer is part of the church's Liturgy of the Hours. The service is composed of hymns, psalms, canticles, scripture, and prayer. Msgr. Daniel T. Ganshert, rector of St. Raphael Cathedral and chancellor for the diocese, will preside. Much of the service is accompanied by music, and Harrison has assembled a small choir which will lead the assembly's singing. The choir will be directed by Office of Worship director Dr. Patrick Gorman. The Office of Worship is hosting the evening. Those who attend may sign the names of departed family and friends in the O'Connor Center's Book of the Dead. This book will be displayed in the O'Donnell Chapel throughout the month of November. The service is designed to help those who have lost loved ones remember them in prayer. Anyone may come, and a special invitation is made to those who lost someone close within the last year. Knights of Columbus Council receives awards MADISON -- The University of Wisconsin Catholic Center Council 6568 Knights of Columbus was a "Triple Winner" in its awards from the supreme and state councils. On the Supreme Council level, the UW Knights earned the regular Knights of Columbus highest award, the "Star Council" award, and the "Outstanding College Council" for church programs. The "Star Council" award was announced by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and awarded in recognition of the record of excellence the UW Knights established during the 2001-02 fraternal year. The UW Knights was one of 32 councils of the 262 councils in Wisconsin and 1,370 councils of the near 13,000 councils of the Knights internationally to win "Star Council." At the state level, the UW Knights also earned the "Complete Council" Award for the 2001-02 Fraternal Year. Catholics with Disabilities meeting MADISON -- Catholics with Disabilities will meet on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. in the undercroft at St. Raphael Cathedral here. A final vote will be held to select the first winner of the Norman Wirtz Award. The award will be given on an annual basis to the parish or parish personnel who most strives to enhance full participation in and access to Catholic parish worship for persons with disabilities. The meeting will adjourn for the 5 p.m. Mass in the cathedral. Catholics with Disabilities meets the first Sunday of each month. A monthly newsletter is available by writing to: 422 Presidential Ln., Madison, WI 53711. Grand opening of new apartment homes PORTAGE -- The newly completed Portage Commons apartment homes here recently held a grand opening ceremony at which Bishop William H. Bullock and other community leaders and officials gave remarks. Catholic Charities was one of the investors in the building of the 46-unit Portage Commons, which provides moderate-income housing. For those who meet maximum income guidelines, monthly rents are $425 for an efficiency apartment, $475 for a one-bedroom apartment, $565-585 for a two-bedroom apartment, and $655 for a three-bedroom apartment. The apartment homes were developed by Gorman and Company, Inc. Rosary walk dedicated FENNIMORE -- St. Mary Parish now has an outdoor rosary walk located across from the church. There are 59 cement stones. Interspersed is a marble plaque of the guardian angel as well as one of the cross. In the center is one of Mary. It was part of the Hearts and Hands project sponsored by the Catholic Foresters. Funds were raised locally and then matched by the National Catholic Society of Foresters Court 1241. Most of the work was done by the local branch of Foresters. The walk was dedicated by Fr. George Horath, pastor. All Souls Day Mass MADISON -- Bishop William H. Bullock will preside and preach at an All Souls Day Mass on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Resurrection Cemetery Chapel here, located at 2705 Regent St. Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Madison invite all the faithful to attend the annual Mass. Serra Club meetings MADISON -- During the month of November, the Serra Club of Madison is changing its meeting dates from the first and third Friday of the month to the second and fourth Friday of the month. Regular meeting dates will resume in December.

Faithful Citizenship:
Ethics and elections

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page for links to related articles.)

MADISON -- "Our social and political life is interconnected with our faith life," said Kathy Markeland, pointing out that being Catholic should be incorporated into our daily lives, including our work life and how we vote.

Markeland is the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) associate director for Respect Life and Health Care. She and Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, offered comments for a "Faithful Citizenship: Ethics and Elections" session recently at St. Bernard Parish here.

Key issues

The Scriptures give us a lens to look through as we face issues, said Markeland.

According to the WCC, under the following themes of Catholic social teaching, key issues include:

1) Life and dignity of the human person - key issues: abortion, euthanasia, death penalty, embryo research/cloning.

2) Family community and participation - key issues: education, just wages, support services.

3) Rights and responsibilities - key issues: tax policy, public safety.

4) Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable - key issues: poverty, health care, housing, hunger.

5) Dignity of work and rights of workers - key issues: social security, just wage, farm policy.

6) Solidarity - key issues: discrimination, debt relief, human rights.

7) Care for God's creation - key issues: sustainable development, family farms, technology.

"The great thing about citizenship is we offer a hopeful message," she said. "We have a valuable voice to contribute."

We need to have respect for people who choose to run for office and encourage civility instead of negativity, said Markeland.

Ethics and elections

Regarding polling indicating that voters are more concerned about ethics and honesty in government than other traditional "hot button" issues, McCabe said it depends on how questions are posed in the polls.

People do care about issues that affect them. For example, if they don't have a job, they care about the economy; if they have children, they care about schools. But people have lost faith that elected officials will act in their interest, said McCabe.

Regarding the emerging corruption scandal in the state, it's easy to blame it on ethical lapses of a few individuals, but "we all have to come to terms with our responsibility as stewards of the democratic process," he said. "We've allowed the system to deteriorate to races with not a lot of competition. That's a system problem."

The result of the loss of competitive elections is a huge loss of accountability, said McCabe, explaining that when candidates think they're vulnerable, they're "on their toes," but if they face no threat in an election, that's a recipe for corruption.

Candidates for governor:
Share positions on key issues

By Bill Kurtz
MILWAUKEE CATHOLIC HERALD

(See also front page photos.)

MILWAUKEE -- The Catholic Herald sought specific answers on various issues from Attorney General James Doyle, Republican Governor Scott McCallum, Libertarian candidate Ed Thompson, and Green candidate Jim Young. Only Thompson and Young agreed to interviews. McCallum's campaign provided written answers. After several requests, Doyle's campaign refused to respond. In the interest of completeness, Doyle's stated positions are included where they could be determined. Following are some of the issues examined:

Laws to restrict abortion to the
greatest extent possible allowed
by current court rulings

Doyle: Told the Madison weekly Isthmus that "I probably more than any single human being in Wisconsin have helped people exercise their right [to abortion]. We've gone to court many times against people who have blocked access to clinics. I have done a lot to make sure people can exercise what is clearly their constitutional right."

McCallum: "I am pro-life, with exceptions."

Thompson: "I'm against abortion, but I don't think it should be illegal. I would not seek to change Wisconsin's (existing) laws against abortion. They're some of the strictest in the nation."

Young: "I support choice."

Assisted suicide and euthanasia

McCallum: "I don't believe this is an issue for state government."

Thompson: "I would support legalizing physician-assisted suicide in extreme circumstances with strong constraints against abuse, (requiring) two, maybe even three doctors to agree there's no hope of recovery. It should only be an option in cases of severe pain and no hope of recovery."

Young: "I'm not sure. I'm open to discussion from elderly individuals who are facing those decisions."

The death penalty

Doyle: Opposed.

McCallum: "Wisconsin currently has no death penalty and there has not been much movement to change that. However, in my state senate days, I did support a bill to require the death penalty in certain instances, but that bill never became law."

Thompson: Opposed.

Young: "No way."

Human embryo research and human cloning

Doyle: His campaign Web site states, "Jim Doyle would veto any attempts to outlaw, criminalize or limit the vital research being conducted at Wisconsin's universities."

McCallum: "I am in agreement with President Bush's guidelines on stem cell research. I am proud of the work being done at the University of Wisconsin and have met with them on numerous occasions to discuss the ethical guidelines. I do not want to see a marketplace created."

Thompson: "Banning human embryonic research is too drastic. The potential for abuse does concern me, and I support a full review of Wisconsin law in this area."

Young: "I don't like either, and wouldn't support funding that kind of research."

Providing financial assistance to low-income families

McCallum: "I am very proud of the work of the Thompson-McCallum administration to move people from welfare to work. We have numerous programs in place to assist individuals and families as they make the transition. It is my hope that all citizens have the opportunity to move up the economic ladder."

Thompson: "The best assistance to low-income families is a good, family-wage paying job. I do worry about building state aid bureaucracy that loses track of the human aspect." He would emphasize involving local and private organizations.

Young: "We should be providing assistance to people in need, instead of profits to private providers of W-2 services," whom Young said increase their profits by denying aid to the needy.

Policies that address the high social and public costs of failed marriages and lack of marriage, especially as it impacts children

McCallum: "My wish for all children is that they have two parents who love them and raise them. That said, divorce is a reality in our society and when children are involved it can be extremely painful and frightening. I would like to see children coming first in divorce cases, not property or money issues."

Thompson: "I support a full review of Wisconsin divorce law. I know a lot of children are suffering because of divorce."

Young: "There needs to be that vehicle of divorce for people to get out of abusive marriages. There needs to be much more money for children for counseling." He also sees the need to "keep both parents involved in parenting after a divorce."

The right to just wages, to affordable housing, to organize and join unions, to economic initiative, and to private property

Doyle: He told Isthmus, "I support raising the state's minimum wage. We need to provide working men and women with a livable wage that enables them to provide for their families."

McCallum: "My goal is to raise the per capita income of all Wisconsin citizens by $8,000 a year by 2006. We are well on our way of reaching that goal."

Thompson: "The UAW saved my job at the Janesville auto plant. I've been a member of four unions. I would oppose right to work laws or any other attempt to weaken unions." He called affordable housing "a problem that must be solved locally," and opposed increasing the minimum wage as "symbolic."

Young: "We need to have a living wage, a family-supporting wage. I would make sure that any state contracts would go to in-state companies that provided family-supporting wages." He supports requirements to include affordable housing in new developments, and said "all workers have a right to organize and form unions."

Educational choice for low-income families

Doyle: "I would not abolish it and I would not have it expand," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I would keep the program as it is in Milwaukee," citing a "responsibility to make sure that those kids are able to pursue their education, those families don't live with that constant disruption" of threats to cut the program.

McCallum: "I have been a strong supporter of school choice. I vowed to save school choice when Senate Democrats tried to kill the program."

Thompson: Would expand vouchers statewide because "that's worked so well in Milwaukee."

Young: Opposes the Milwaukee program.

Ensuring that basic health care is available to all persons, especially poor families and children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and the mentally ill

Doyle: Called for letting farmers and small businesses join state employees in a health-care purchasing pool.

McCallum: "Wisconsin is currently the top state in the nation for the number of citizens with health insurance coverage. BadgerCare has become a national model for how to provide quality, affordable coverage to working families. I increased funding for it in my last budget. Additionally, we are making strides in many areas to bring the cost of health insurance down."

Thompson: Said he backs "innovative ways to help the disabled and elderly" and making health insurance more affordable. "I want to make it easier to buy catastrophic health insurance" by encouraging medical savings accounts. Would include farmers in small-business insurance pools.

Young: "That's one of our basic human rights. We need to get the profit motive out of health care delivery." He backs "some type of universal or single-payer coverage."

Respecting the right of conscience of religious health care institutions and workers to carry out their ministry without compromising their religious convictions

Doyle: He told Isthmus that "I believe that hospitals should make emergency contraception available to rape victims."

McCallum: "People should not be required by the state to perform services or tasks to which they are morally opposed."

Thompson: "Government should not interfere with a private health care institution's policies." However, "If an employee finds a job is morally objectionable, he shouldn't have taken the job."

Young: "If institutions are getting federal and state funds, I don't believe they should be able to deny care options to individuals." He feels the same way about individual employees.

Mandating insurance coverage of contraceptives

Doyle: Favors such a mandate.

McCallum: "I do not support mandating insurance companies to provide birth control."

Thompson: Opposed.

Young: "I support that."

Policies to protect God's creation and promote good stewardship of natural resources

Doyle: Has called for restoring the independence of the Department of Natural Resources, by allowing the DNR board to choose the agency's secretary, who is now a political appointee. He has also backed tighter restrictions on mining, and would explore state purchase of the proposed Crandon mine site. Environmentalists have opposed the mine.

McCallum: "I signed into law the first wetlands protection bill in the nation. I purchased one of the largest tracts of pristine wilderness in state history -- the Peshtigo flowage. My first budget received an 'A' from the Sierra Club."

Thompson: "We have to hold big polluters accountable. Nobody will pull my string."

Young: He called for tighter restrictions on mining, a constitutional guarantee of clean water, and urged that "all budget and legislative decisions consider the impact on future generations."

Farm policies that support small-to moderate-sized-family-owned and operated farms

Doyle: Has called for expanded property tax breaks for farm property, grants to farmers to develop new products and expand into new markets, and tax credits for Wisconsin college graduates who go into farming.

McCallum: "I have worked hard for farmers. Land-use value assessment has saved farmers billions in property taxes and when it was challenged (Doyle) refused to represent the state and the farmers, saying we couldn't win. We hired our own attorneys and we won."

Thompson: "I'm sick and tired of state government telling landowners what they can and cannot do with their property. I'm particularly concerned with people who don't understand farming trying to control farming. If people don't want to be around farms, don't move next to one." He also supports property tax relief for farmers.

Young: "I support organic (farming.) That's the way to go, to support family farms and a sustainable agricultural economy. I don't support factory farms, they send money out of their communities. Family farmers reinvest in their communities."

Proposals to divert more non-violent criminals from incarceration to treatment

Doyle: He told Isthmus that "the idea that our prisons are filled with first-time drug offenders is a myth. The people in our prison system have earned their way there. We need to fix a loophole in the law that undermines the purpose of truth in sentencing by allowing some inmates to petition the courts for reductions in their sentence."

McCallum: "We just recently passed the second part of the Truth in Sentencing bill, which changes the sentencing guidelines to better reflect the crime committed. That will save us about $25 million."

Thompson: "Wisconsin's inmate population is over 20,000, and it costs over $25,000 per year to keep one inmate in prison. Dramatic savings begin with placing non-violent prisoners in alternatives to incarceration." Speaking as a former federal prison guard, Thompson maintained that "non-violent offenders do not belong locked up with violent persons. Horrible things happen."

Young: "We need to end the war on drugs, and look on drug use as a social and health issue. We wouldn't have as many people to incarcerate. I don't think non-violent offenders should be placed with violent offenders."

Returning prisoners from placement in out-of-state prisons

McCallum: "We are currently in the process of returning many out-of-state prisoners to Wisconsin and will continue to do so."

Thompson: "I'm sick of trying to help [other states'] economies. Bring those people back home."

Young: "That's the best thing to do. Removing prisoners from family contact isn't going to [help] them rejoin our communities."

Protecting prisoners' rights to religious practice

McCallum: "Prisoners should be allowed to worship whichever religion they choose. Religion can be a wonderful tool in helping a prisoner cope and seek to better their life."

Thompson: "Respect for prisoners' right to religious practice is an important part of rehabilitation."

Young: "I'm a strong supporter."

Continuing the tax-exempt status of property owned by religious organizations

McCallum: "I support it."

Thompson: He would veto any expansion of state taxes, including any trimming of such exemptions.

Young: "It needs to be reviewed. Services are provided to tax-exempt organizations, religious and non-religious."

Systems of taxation based upon ability to pay

Doyle: Has been adamant against tax increases.

McCallum: Has made opposition to tax hikes his principal campaign theme.

Thompson: "You won't find anyone running more devoted to cutting taxes." He said he would explore freezing property taxes for elderly homeowners.

Young: Said he would eliminate certain business subsidies, and backs expanding the sales tax to include more services, allowing property tax cuts for elderly homeowners. "We don't have a system that's just."