The Catholic community is in a position to respond to violence and the threat of violence in our society with new commitment and creativity. Any violence developed is something the church will never support. We can turn away from violence; we can build communities of greater peace. It begins with a clear conviction: respect for life. Fundamentally, our society needs a moral revolution to replace a culture of violence with a renewed ethic of justice, responsibility and community. Above all, we must come to understand that violence is unacceptable. The Catholic church must bring new creativity and energy to the vocation of peacemaking. Let us hear and act with new urgency on the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God."

“What we believe, where we are, and how we live out our faith can make a great difference in the struggle against violence. We see the loss of lives. We serve the victims. We feel the fear. We must confront this growing culture of violence with a commitment to life, a vision of hope and a call to action.”---Confronting a Culture of Violence: A Catholic Framework for Action,1994 Pastoral Message of the U.S. Catholic Bishops.

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court."    -Psalm 127 3-5

The USCCB states that with Pope John Paul II we affirm that contraception and abortion are "specifically different evils," because only "the latter destroys the life of a human being," but that they are also related (The Gospel of Life, no. 13). It is important to remember that means that are referred to as "contraceptive" are, in reality, sometimes also abortifacient. An end to abortion will not come from contraceptive campaigns but from a deeper understanding of our human sexuality, and of human life, as sacred gifts deserving our careful stewardship.

85. It is important for our society to continue to combat any unjust discrimination, whether based on race, religion, sex, ethnicity, disabling condition, or age, as these are grave injustices and affronts to human dignity.

The church states you shall not kill. It was said to the men of old, "You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment." As a church we believe human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one under any circumstance can claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.