A BETTER KIND OF POLITICS

Civilize It

As Catholics and Americans, we are blessed to be able to participate in our nation’s political and public life. Our freedoms respect the dignity of individuals and their consciences and allow us to come together for the common good. Election seasons, therefore, should contain a sense of gratitude and hope. Our love for this country, our patriotism, properly impels us to vote.

But increasingly, it seems, election seasons are a time of anxiety and spiritual trial. Political rhetoric is increasingly angry, seeking to motivate primarily through division and hatred. Fear can be an effective tool for raising money. The most heated arguments online often get the most clicks. Demonizing the other can win votes.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship is inspired by the Good Samaritan, with the hope of binding these wounds and healing these bitter divisions. This document is not based on personalities or partisanship, the latest news cycle, or what’s trending on social media. Instead, it reflects the perennial role of the Church in public life in proclaiming timeless principles: the infinite worth and dignity of every human life, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity. Not sure what these mean?

We invite you to read Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States (en Español), which provides a framework for Catholics in the United States. (English PDF | PDF en Español)

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

As a complement to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the bishops also approved six new bulletin inserts (en Español) to help the Catholic faithful put their faith into action.  

 

Additional Resources

  • We are Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish (LINK)
  • Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate Launch Packet (PDF)
  • Reflection: With your faith community (LINK)
  • NYS Catholic Conference: Political Responsibility including Permissible and Prohibited Church Activities Guidelines: (LINK)

Let us look to the example of the Good Samaritan. Jesus’ parable summons us to rediscover our vocation as citizens of our respective nations and of the entire world, builders of a new social bond. This summons is ever new, yet it is grounded in a fun- damental law of our being: we are called to direct society to the pursuit of the com- mon good and, with this purpose in mind, to persevere in consolidating its political and social order, its fabric of relations, its human goals.

Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, no. 66