As Congress debates whether to expand existing hate crimes law to include the prosecution of crimes directed against individuals because of sexual orientation, gender or disability, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good urge lawmakers to support this important legislation. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act -- named after a gay college student tortured and murdered because of his sexuality in 1998 – is consistent with fundamental American and religious values.

“Our faith teaches that we are all created in the image of God,” said Vicky Kovari, interim Executive Director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. “Assaults on gays and lesbians violate core principles of human dignity and justice. Christians must speak out against discriminatory violence directed toward other human beings. Passing this legislation should be an urgent moral priority that transcends ideology or political party.”

“Time and again we have seen the horrible spectacle in American history – indeed, in our own time – of gay and lesbian Americans hunted down, mutilated, murdered and discriminated against,” said Stephen Schneck, director of the Life Cycle Institute at The Catholic University of America and a board member of Catholics in Alliance. “Existing laws and rights have proven little remedy in diminishing these hate crimes. Gays and lesbians need the protection this legislation offers.”

“While diverse religious traditions hold different theological and moral views regarding homosexuality and gay marriage, all people of faith are called to shape public policies that serve the common good and protect those who are most vulnerable to discrimination and violence,” said Terrence Tilley, past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America and Chair of the Religion Department at Fordham University.

The following Catholic leaders and organizations also call on Congress to pass hate crimes legislation

Sister Simone Campbell
Director
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Sister J. Lora Dambroski, OSF
President
Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Michael Duffy
Director
Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought
University of San Francisco

Fr. James Hug, SJ
President
Center of Concern

Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

T. Michael McNulty, SJ
Justice and Peace Director
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)

Dave Robinson
Executive Director
Pax Christi USA