News Intro Text
Calling Catholics to Political Responsibility
Date
News Item Content
<p>BY FRED KAMMER, S.J.</p>
<p>Every four years since 1976, in preparation for U.S. elections, the U.S. bishops have issued a statement on Catholic political responsibility. Since 2007, this document has been entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States. In the first part, the bishops discuss their right to speak out politically:</p>
<p><em>Some question whether it is appropriate for the Church to play a role in political life. However, the obligation to teach the moral truths that should shape our lives, including our public lives, is central to the mission given to the Church by Jesus Christ. Moreover, the United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak out without government interference, favoritism, or discrimination. </em></p>
<p>The bishops emphasize how participation of people of religious conviction enriches the nation’s tradition of pluralism.1 </p>
<p>For the bishops, the Catholic community brings two major contributions: (1) a consistent moral framework for assessing political issues drawn from reason illuminated by Scripture and Church teaching; and (2) broad experience in serving those in need including “educating the young, serving families in crisis, caring for the sick, sheltering the homeless, helping women who face difficult pregnancies, feeding the hungry, welcoming immigrants and refugees, reaching out in global solidarity, and pursuing peace.”2</p>
<p>In addition to these two primary contributions, I would add two other Catholic contributions: (1) a passion for social justice; and (2) realism about power and evil. Seeming contradictory, these two additions actually stand in healthy tension with one another. Our faith-filled passion keeps us committed to working for justice when others have given up on political advocacy, chosen the all too common course of being swayed by the polls, or been silent in the face of popular opinion. </p>
<p><a href="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/Faithful Citizens.pdf">MORE>></a></p>
<p>Every four years since 1976, in preparation for U.S. elections, the U.S. bishops have issued a statement on Catholic political responsibility. Since 2007, this document has been entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States. In the first part, the bishops discuss their right to speak out politically:</p>
<p><em>Some question whether it is appropriate for the Church to play a role in political life. However, the obligation to teach the moral truths that should shape our lives, including our public lives, is central to the mission given to the Church by Jesus Christ. Moreover, the United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak out without government interference, favoritism, or discrimination. </em></p>
<p>The bishops emphasize how participation of people of religious conviction enriches the nation’s tradition of pluralism.1 </p>
<p>For the bishops, the Catholic community brings two major contributions: (1) a consistent moral framework for assessing political issues drawn from reason illuminated by Scripture and Church teaching; and (2) broad experience in serving those in need including “educating the young, serving families in crisis, caring for the sick, sheltering the homeless, helping women who face difficult pregnancies, feeding the hungry, welcoming immigrants and refugees, reaching out in global solidarity, and pursuing peace.”2</p>
<p>In addition to these two primary contributions, I would add two other Catholic contributions: (1) a passion for social justice; and (2) realism about power and evil. Seeming contradictory, these two additions actually stand in healthy tension with one another. Our faith-filled passion keeps us committed to working for justice when others have given up on political advocacy, chosen the all too common course of being swayed by the polls, or been silent in the face of popular opinion. </p>
<p><a href="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/Faithful Citizens.pdf">MORE>></a></p>