Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is SALT partisan?
A: SALT is nonpartisan. It focuses on issues, not candidates.

Q: Is it appropriate for Roman Catholics to advocate on behalf of social and economic justice?
A. Yes. According to canon law, the Christian faithful are obliged to promote social justice. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops in "a call to conversion and action" says:...As a Church, we must be people after God's own heart, bonded by the Spirit, sustaining one another in love, setting our hearts on God's kingdom, committing ourselves to solidarity with those who suffer, working for peace and justice, acting as a sign of Christ's love and justice in the world....We ask you to become more informed and active citizens, using your voices and votes to speak for the voiceless, to defend the poor and the vulnerable, and to advance the common good. We are called to shape a constituency of conscience, measuring every policy by how it touches the least, the lost, and the left-out among us.... ---excerpts from Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy, 1986

Q: Is it time consuming to participate in advocacy activities?
A: SALT need not be time consuming. What is really needed is an identified network of persons who will respond to occasional requests for a letter or call. We do need people who will respond to those requests in a timely fashion, as those requests will usually precede a critical policy vote. For those who are interested, we will provide information about other issues of interest, forums, and public hearings.

Q: How can one parish make a difference?
A: Our parish SALT group will work with the SALT network in Northern Virginia. SALT was "born" over 10 years ago and has grown to a network of over 400 persons from various parishes. By working together and with other advocates, including the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, we can generate sufficient activity to have an impact.

Q: What if I don't know about the issues?
A: The parish coordinator will provide as much information about substantive issues as you desire and will be available to answer questions. Individual or group training on how to write or speak to a legislator will also be provided upon request. However, the most important thing to remember is that the most effective advocacy messages are simple and personalized. A few techniques and basic information about the issue are all that is needed.