A new Vatican Handbook outlines socio-political views

Cardinal Renato Martino, in charge of the Vatican council dealing with matters of justice and peace.

Some quotes from this Yahoo article:

A new Vatican handbook is a “524-page compilation of doctrine … a kind of handbook which could help business, political and cultural leaders.”

“the volume quoted extensively from, and offered reflections on, writings and speeches by Pope John Paul II and previous pontiffs on matters including preventive war, terrorism, the death penalty, immigration, workers' rights, poverty, globalization, free markets and human rights.

Not meant to directly influence the US election, "The Holy See never gets involved in electoral or political questions directly," never the less, it can be used to "illuminate the consciences of the faithful with ethical elements so they can make a judgment"

American human rights abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, "Human rights are inherent to every human being," "They are not a concession."

war in Iraq, "engaging in a preventive war without clear proof that an attack is imminent cannot fail to raise serious moral and juridical questions."

The role of the UN, "international legitimacy for the use of armed forces, on the basis of rigorous assessment and with well-founded motivations, can only be given by the decision of a competent body…”

war on terrorism, "cannot be exercised in the absence of moral and legal norms."

abortion, "horrendous crime," "Far from being a right, it is a sad phenomenon,"

definition of marriage, "no power can abolish the natural right to marriage or modify its traits and purpose."

capital punishment, “virtually no justification”