The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society, on the other hand, is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity. So they cannot relinquish their participation “in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good.” The mission of the lay faithful is therefore to configure social life correctly, respecting its legitimate autonomy and cooperating with other citizens according to their respective competences and fulfilling their own responsibility. Even if the specific expressions of ecclesial charity can never be confused with the activity of the State, it still remains true that charity must animate the entire lives of the lay faithful and therefore also their political activity, lived as “social charity”.
Pope Benedict XVI
Deus Caritas Est, No. 29
This statements highlights
- the role of the Church in the formation of conscience, and
- the corresponding moral responsibility of each Catholic to hear, receive, and act upon the Church’s teaching in the lifelong task of forming his or her own conscience.
With this foundation, Catholics are better able to evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and actions in light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church in order to help build a better world.
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The Bishops of the various dioceses of the State of Florida have issued several statements pertinent to this upcoming election. Have you read them? You can read them here!
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Pray for justice, peace, and life with the Novena for Faithful Citizenship. Download the Podcast and join Catholics throughout the United States in prayer, beginning Tuesday, September 2, nine weeks before the election.
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Catholic Relief Services, the official overseas and relief agency of the USCCB, complements its humanitarian and development activities with policy analysis and advocacy that seek to address root causes of poverty, conflict, and marginalization. CRS examines issues with a "justice lens," assessing social, economic, cultural, and political structures in the context of justice and based on the principles of the principles of Catholic social teaching, primarily the principle of protecting the dignity of the human person.
In light of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship—A Call to Political Responsibility," CRS is offering a series of papers to help Catholics in the United States assess candidates' commitment to global issues during this election year. These resources focus on one distinct part of the Faithful Citizenship message, which should be understood in its entirety.
Learn more here.
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"It is imperative that both parties and both chambers of Congress work hard to produce a bill that creates an immigration system predicated on the rule of law and that upholds values all Americans cherish—hard work, opportunity, and compassion.”
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J. Kevin Appleby holds a law degree from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University. He has spoken on immigration issues to local and national groups. |
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"Conscience insists that human dilemmas are moral concerns long before they are political points of view."
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Father J. Brian Bransfield is from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and was ordained in 1994. He studied moral theology with a specialization in marriage and family at the Pontifi cal John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and holds a doctorate in moral theology. |
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"How we treat ‘the least among us’ (Mt 25:40) is a moral measure of our lives, as individuals and as a nation. In Scriptures, this is the question on judgment day. It should be a central question on election day."
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John Carr holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and has written on Catholics and political responsibility. He speaks often on Catholic social mission, faith and policy, and religion in public life. He recently received the Vision Award from Catholic Charities USA and been named a Hunger Hero by Bread for the World. |
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"Although our nation should learn from the decisions that were made prior to the war, now that our forces are in Iraq we face new moral questions. The occupation of Iraq has brought with it new responsibilities toward the Iraqi people."
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Stephen Colecchi holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religious studies from Holy Cross College, a master of arts in religion from Yale University, and a doctor of ministry degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University. He has written numerous articles on Catholic social teaching, social justice, political responsibility, and the infusion of Catholic social teaching into Christian education programs. |
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"Americans want to be fair and humane. They do not seek out the most unethical way to pursue medical progress—rather, they want science and ethics to move forward hand in hand. It is not too much to ask the same of our researchers and policy makers."
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Richard Doerflinger holds a master of arts in divinity degree from the University of Chicago and has pursued doctoral studies at the University of Chicago and The Catholic University of America. He is an adjunct fellow in bioethics and public policy at the National Catholic Bioethics Center. He frequently writes and speaks on euthanasia, assisted suicide, embryo experimentation and reproductive technologies. |
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"A culture in which abortion is unthinkable is one in which all lives will be honored."
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Deirdre A. McQuade holds a bachelor of arts degree from Bryn Mawr College, as well as master of arts degrees in philosophy and divinity from the University of Notre Dame. In 2003, she served as National Program Director at Feminists for Life. Recent speeches include Seeds of Justice: Defending Life from Womb to Tomb and Roe Reality Check: Taking a Second Look at Abortion. |
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"The voices of the Catholic community should be loud and clear in public discussion on health care in this election and beyond. The health care status quo is morally unacceptable. Our nation can and must do better."
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Kathy A. Saile holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications from Ohio University and a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. Previously she was associate director of public policy for Lutheran Services in America. She is the author of a book on public policy and grassroots advocacy. |
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"The bishops urge Catholic voters to focus not on political questions such as ‘Are you better off than you were two or four years ago?’ Rather, each of us should enter the voting booth focusing on the ethical and moral dimensions of public policies that affect the whole community."
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Thomas Shellabarger holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and has done graduate work at Florida Atlantic University. |
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