From Bishop Sheridan’s letter:

In November we will once again have the privilege of exercising our most precious right as
citizens – the right to vote. Our choices will be made from among an array of candidates who take a
variety of positions with regard to many important issues. In the midst of what could be a difficult
and confusing exercise it is very important to remember that not all issues are of equal gravity. As
men and women of good will we strive to achieve true justice for all people and to preserve their
rights as human beings. There is, however, one right that is “inalienable”, and that is the RIGHT TO
LIFE. This is the FIRST right. This is the right that grounds all other human rights. This is the issue
that trumps all other issues.
The November elections will be critical in the battle to restore the right to life to all citizens,
especially the unborn and the elderly and infirm. As a result of the pro-life efforts of countless
Americans the number of abortions performed in our country is now declining for the first time since
the appalling Supreme Court decision of 1973 that made it “legal” to kill our children. We cannot
allow the progress that has been made to be reversed by a pro-abortion President, Senate or House of
Representatives. Neither can we permit illicit stem cell research that makes use of aborted babies.
Any movement to promote and legalize euthanasia must be halted. Our votes have the power to stop
these abominations.
There must be no confusion in these matters. Any Catholic politicians who advocate for
abortion, for illicit stem cell research or for any form of euthanasia ipso facto place themselves outside
full communion with the Church and so jeopardize their salvation. Any Catholics who vote for
candidates who stand for abortion, illicit stem cell research or euthanasia suffer the same fateful
consequences. It is for this reason that these Catholics, whether candidates for office or those who
would vote for them, may not receive Holy Communion until they have recanted their positions and
been reconciled with God and the Church in the Sacrament of Penance.