The bishops also urged Catholics to lobby legislators to supply money for research, treatment centers and "morally acceptable" prevention programs.

A minority of bishops has backed withholding communion from pro-choice politicians and urged Catholics not to vote for those who support a woman's right to choose.

Opponents of the law urged Catholics who objected to the church's involvement to place spent cartridges in the collection plates.

The cardinals also said they would "urge Catholics and other people of good will" to petition Congress to try to override the veto.

The encyclical urged Catholics in Spain to fight with all legal means against these injustices.

He urged Catholics to support candidates who favor allowing government money to be used to pay tuition at private or parochial schools.

Church leaders urged Catholics, who make up 90 percent of the population, not to vote for any party that had links with Poland's Communist past.

The statement urged Catholics to support the families of crime victims "as they struggle to overcome their terrible loss and find some sense of peace."

It generally urged Catholics to shun secular and non-religious societies.