Social, Moral issues Rank High with Hispanic Catholics

POLITICAL CANDIDATES’ POSITIONS ON MORAL, ETHICAL ISSUES RANK HIGH FOR HISPANIC CATHOLICS

SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 20, 2010) -- In this political season, the swing vote--better defined as the undecided--is playing an increasingly critical role in national politics. Traditionally, the Catholic vote has been the largest swing vote in elections in the United States.  A recent national survey conducted by the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) reveals that 87.1% of the Hispanic Catholics responding stated that it was more important to consider a candidate’s position on moral and ethical issues above the candidate’s partisan allegiances.  “Candidates for public office would be wise to gain an understanding of the priorities of Hispanics – including Hispanic Catholics,” says Robert Aguirre, CALL president.

The country’s largest minority group is rapidly growing in economic status and as a major contributor to the fabric of our nation.  In 2004, Hispanics comprised 15% of the U.S. population.  According to the Pew Hispanic Center, about 64% of Hispanic registered voters identify themselves as Catholic.

The recent national survey conducted by CALL posed a variety of ranking questions dealing with a wide range of public policy issues. The survey asked whether or not a candidate for public office should be chosen based upon their political party or their position on moral and ethical issues.

CALL leadership stresses that school choice presents a much-needed opportunity for our country’s system of education to improve. “We must be clear. Educational justice is not a political option or position,” explains CALL’s Episcopal Moderator Archbishop José Gomez. “It is a fundamental tenet of Catholic social teaching,” he continues.

“Ultimately,” says CALL Board Chairman Ruben Escobedo of San Antonio, “school choice is about parents, not government, having the right to choose the best possible school for their children.”