Life issues cut across political lines, says head of state conference

Published: 2005-01-12

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- "The consistent message that human life and dignity are to be valued cuts across political parties," said Jeff Caruso, newly appointed executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference. "Public dialogue is enhanced when that perspective is added," he said. The Catholic conference was established last September to promote a Catholic stance on state legislation, with help from the Arlington and Richmond dioceses. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and Richmond Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo were the driving force behind its creation. Caruso took his new post Jan. 4 to prepare for the opening of the 2005 General Assembly Jan. 12. After more than six years as associate director at the Maryland Catholic Conference, Caruso said, he was eager to apply what he learned there to Virginia. "It's an opportunity not only in terms of my career, but to advance the church's public policy in Virginia," said Caruso, adding that he was also ready to face the challenge of building the new conference from the ground up. He will lobby the legislators in Richmond and continue building a more effective grass-roots network to unite the state's two Catholic dioceses.

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