A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

Baptized Catholic citizens of the United States of America have a “dual citizenship,” one within the nation and one within the Catholic Church.  Although distinct, they exist jointly in each baptized American Catholic citizen. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds American Catholics that, as citizens of this country, we vote and, as Catholic American citizens, we vote conscientiously because we are people of faith.

The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith (USCCB, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States,” 2020, no. 9).

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation is a moral obligation … rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do (ibid., no. 13).

READ BISHOP O'CONNELL'S FULL MESSAGE HERE.

A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

It has become almost normative these days for political candidates of every stripe to end their speeches at campaign appearances, town halls or rallies with some form of the expression “God bless you and/or God bless the United States of America.” Perhaps you, too, have noticed its appearance more frequently than in the past. I actually wait for it now while watching television broadcasts of these events, especially in this election year.

Certainly, it is an admirable sentiment with which to conclude their comments, since phrases like “In God we trust,” one nation under God,” “endowed by their Creator,” “so help me God” have long been an important part of the American vernacular throughout history.  

Is it a prayer, a religious wish or “just something to say” to audiences in a country founded upon Judeo-Christian principles? I regularly wonder about it, especially when the speech that precedes it contains elements that advocate policies or positions that hardly seem reflective or consistent with our divine origins, the goodness of God or the religious faith of any and all believers, not even to mention the tone and tenor of some remarks that lack basic civility.

I guess it is better to acknowledge God and conclude remarks asking for his blessing on our nation than not.

We are once again in an election year anticipating the exercise of one of the most basic rights and responsibilities of an American citizen: the right and responsibility to vote.   Regardless of which candidate or political party we support or endorse, the right to vote lies at the heart of our democracy.  The free exercise of something so important should --- by its very nature --- be preceded by very careful thought and scrutiny.  That goes for every citizen, whether they are believers in God or not.

Let me share a few thoughts on the exercise of voting by believers, Catholics in particular, in the enterprise of what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops refers to as “faithful citizenship.”
Our Holy Father Pope Francis has written, “Everything, including political life, belongs to Jesus Christ, and so participation in political life belongs to the mission of the Church (apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 181, November 24, 2013).”

The Pope is not directing the Church and its pastors to tell Catholics “how” to vote but, rather, he is identifying and placing the responsibility to participate in political life into the arena of the Church’s mission.
The Church is called to proclaim the Gospel and to educate baptized Catholics about the truth of its social and moral teachings, especially as they impact the common good.   In this way, the Church’s mission includes --- through all means at its disposal --- helping Catholics form their consciences in light of their faith so that they might give witness to the Gospel.

“The Church does not wish to exercise political power or eliminate the freedom of opinion of Catholics regarding contingent questions.  Instead, it intends --- as its proper function --- to instruct and illuminate the consciences of the faithful, particularly those involved in political life, so that their actions may always serve the integral promotion of the human person and the common good (Dicastery --- formerly “Congregation” --- for the Doctrine of the Faith, “Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life”, 6, May 24, 2002).”
 
In 2007, the USCCB issued its first teaching document on Catholics engaging in political life entitled “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” (FCFC), updated every four years, usually before a presidential election. The most recent Introductory “Note” for the document was approved by the full body of bishops at the November 2023 Plenary Assembly. 

The USCCB document is intended as a guide for American Catholics on political responsibility, and how to participate in public life in a way that is consistent with the mission of Jesus Christ and the Church. It applies Catholic social and moral principles and teachings to a range of issues and warns against using the idea of "conscience" to justify choices that advance personal, ideological, or partisan political interests contrary to those principles and the Catholic social and moral teachings they advance.  
The following commentary identifies some of those social and moral issues referenced in FCFC to guide our conscience formation.

 1. Issues that directly affect human life  
Every human life is sacred, from conception to natural death.  That has been and remains firm Catholic moral teaching based upon sound human reasoning and is, therefore, our most basic principle as Catholics. FCFC asserts that “The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.”

ot dismiss or ignore other serious threats that impact human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty, the death penalty and so forth. Our efforts to protect the unborn remain as important as ever, for just as the Supreme Court has given greater latitude for state laws regarding abortion, state legislators have passed statutes not only keeping abortion legal through all nine months of pregnancy but opening the door to infanticide.

Additionally, abortion contaminates many other important life issues by being inserted into legislation regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, health care for the poor and health care reform in general (“Introductory Letter,” FCFC).  The Catholic Church teaches that all these practices have profound moral consequences.
 
2. Religious liberty 
The United States Constitution protects religious liberty in its First Amendment.  It includes not only our freedom to worship but also our freedom to believe in and practice our faith as Americans … or not to believe!  The Church teaches that every effort should be made to preserve and support religious liberty.  Individuals and communities of faith should not be subject to religious persecution, here or anywhere in the world, because of their faith.
 
 3. Traditional marriage and family life
There has been and continues to be a growing movement in our country to “redefine marriage.”  The Church teaches that the faithful union of one man and one woman is the foundation of the family and, as an essential core element of a flourishing society and Church, traditional marriage and family life must be protected and preserved.
 
 4. The disparity between rich and poor
Most of the world’s resources are in the hands of a small percentage of its population.  In the United States, federal budgets have moral implications and should prioritize the poorest and most vulnerable among us.  Unemployment, homelessness and inadequate housing are evident throughout our nation, especially in major population centers, and need to be confronted and addressed to ensure economic justice for all.
 
 5. Immigration reform 
Despite their legal status, undocumented persons in the United States deserve respect and human compassion.  There has been and remains an ongoing immigration problem in our country that requires a humane solution by our elected government leaders.
 
 6. Racism and inequality
The Declaration of Independence affirms that “all men are created equal” and “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  The Church opposes all oppression and all injustice. The elimination of racism, bigotry, discrimination and inequality is a goal that needs to be achieved in our lifetimes.
 
 7. Violence, hatred and crime 
Society has a duty to protect and defend its members against violence, hatred and crime.  “Violence cannot be overcome by violence.  Violence is overcome by peace!  By peace, by working with dignity to help your homeland move forward (Pope Francis, “Remarks” at Phoenix Center, Bethlehem, May 26, 2014).”
 
 8. Protection of the Environment
Pope Francis has declared stewardship of the earth, our “common home,” a contemporary moral imperative.  “Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last 200 years ...  We are not God.  The earth was here before us and was given to us ...  The idea of unlimited growth, which proves so attractive to economists, financiers and experts in technology … is based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth’s goods, and leads to the planets being squeezed dry at every limit ...  Yet all is not lost.  Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good and making a new start (Pope Francis, encyclical “Laudato Si’: Care for Our Common Home,” 53; 67; 106; 205, May 24, 2015).  Progress in protecting the environment lies in our hands but especially in the hands of those who govern us.

 The preceding topics do not represent an exhaustive list of the social and moral issues of major concern to the Catholic Church in our country, clergy and lay faithful alike. War and peace, international relations, human trafficking, drug abuse, educational choice, health care reform, use of print, broadcast and electronic media, AI and a host of other social and moral concerns warrant our attention as Catholics.  Careful study, civil dialogue and prayerful reflection should accompany our decision making as we consider our support for political parties, platforms and candidates for political office.
 
As American Catholics, we look to the Church and its official teachers for clear, careful and consistent presentation and application of principles that undergird, support and protect our Catholic social and moral teachings so that the common good, truth, justice and peace are enhanced, preserved and advanced in American society. 

We should not expect bishops, ordained clergy or other Church leaders to tell us for whom or against whom to vote.  In fact, they should not.  As American Catholics, we should look to the Church’s teachings to help form our consciences for the exercise of faithful citizenship.  I recommend the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the USCCB’s documents referenced herein as excellent resources for that purpose.
May God bless the United States of America!

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of General Counsel publishes guidelines for (arch)dioceses, eparchies, parishes and other Catholic organizations to assist them in determining whether specific activities are permitted or prohibited in connection with the ongoing political campaign season.
In a Feb. 21 memo to all bishops, William J. Quinn, general counsel, wrote: “In keeping with past election cycles, we will have an update to the comprehensive guide to Political Activity and Lobbying Guidelines for Catholic Organizations this spring. Due to the accelerated pace of the current election cycle, the Office offers the following summary of key guidance.

WHY IS ATTENTION PAID TO INTERVENTION IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Catholic organizations exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) section 501(c) (3), either through the USCCB group ruling or independent determination letters, must comply with the requirements of that tax- exemption. Section 501(c) (3) of the Code prohibits participation or intervention in any political campaign, whether for the benefit of or in opposition to any candidate for election. This participation by the organization is commonly referred to as “political activity” or “political campaign intervention.”

WHAT EFFECT WOULD A VIOLATION OF THIS HAVE
This prohibition is absolute, meaning any amount of political activity can result in an organization losing its tax exemption. Following such a determination, all income to the organization would be taxable, and donors to the organization would no longer receive a charitable income tax deduction for their gifts. The IRS may also impose excise tax penalties on both the organization and its management for the violation, either in lieu of or in addition to the revocation of tax-exempt status.

WHO QUALIFIES AS A CANDIDATE IN AN ELECTION
A candidate is any individual who offers himself or herself, or who is put forward by others, for an elective public office, whether at the national, state, or local level. In some circumstances, a person may be a candidate without having formally announced an intent to run for public office. Your diocesan counsel should be consulted in advance about planned activities and the facts concerning an individual’s candidacy.
The prohibition on campaign activity does not include those individuals who are appointed to public offices.

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY OR CAMPAIGN INTERVENTION
The regulations and cases concerning political activity include those activities where the organization acts with respect to any candidate, political party, or political action committee (“PAC”) in ways such as:
. Issuing statements of support or opposition, in any format or medium
. Providing financial support
. Distributing biased educational materials about the candidates
. Conducting biased or preferential public forums, debates, or lectures
. Conducting biased voter registration or voting
drives Likewise, the context of actions, including proximity to the time and location of an election, can color its characterization as political activity.
Because there are a wide variety of activities and the factual details may determine whether a specific activity is or is not prohibited, we recommend you read through the expanded guidance memo and consult your diocesan counsel about specific plans.

DOES THIS APPLY TO INDIVIDUALS AS WELL
The prohibition applies to the exempt organization, not to individuals in their personal capacity. Officials of a Catholic organization, acting in their individual capacities, may identify themselves as officials of their organization so long as they make clear they are not acting on behalf of the organization. Consistent with acting in an individual capacity, political activities may not use the organization’s financial resources, its facilities, official publications, official functions, or its employees and staff. Actions and statements are recommended to include a disclaimer to the effect that “organizational affiliation is shown for identification purposes only; no endorsement by the organization implied.”

WHAT IF AN ORGANIZATION INADVERTENTLY ENGAGES IN POLITICAL ACTIVITY
Any prohibited political campaign intervention, such as unauthorized statements by employees, should be removed from social media and disavowed in the media forum where the unauthorized statement appeared. Any inadvertent expenditure of funds on political activities should be corrected and the organization should establish or reinforce safeguards to prevent such engagements from occurring in the future.

WHAT ABOUT EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS CONCERNING CANDIDATES AND VOTERS
Catholic organizations may educate candidates and voters about issues at stake in the election. While educating or persuading candidates about particular issues is not campaign intervention on its own, publicly registering agreement or disagreement between a candidate’s positions and those of the organization could be considered intervention. A best practice is to distribute issues education materials to all candidates on an equal basis. Likewise, education of voters should be unbiased in content, structure, format, and context.

HOW DO THE RULES APPLY TO CANDIDATES AT EVENTS
Appearances at Church events are highly fact specific. Broadly, events where an individual is appearing in his or her capacity as a candidate, including public forums, debates, and candidate nights, require that all candidates be given the same or equivalent opportunity to appear. If an individual is appearing in his or her personal capacity, other candidates need not be given the same opportunity, but the organization should be clear with the candidate in advance that no political campaigning should take place.

WHAT IF A CANDIDATE REQUESTS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OR WANTS TO CONDUCT FUNDRAISING
A Catholic nonprofit organization may not provide financial support to any candidate, including through loans, to the candidate, a political party, or a PAC. Likewise, the organization should not conduct fundraising events or solicit funds even if they are not targeted to help a specific candidate, political party, or PAC but imply a general effect on an election contest.

.For more on the USCCB’s guidelines and other political activities resources, go to www.usccb.org/offices/general-counsel/political-activity-guidelines

 

'Faithful Citizenship' reminder: Gospel cannot be parsed in partisan terms

The U.S. bishops' quadrennial document on political responsibility is rooted in the Catholic Church's long-standing moral tradition that upholds human dignity and the common good of all, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City said.

"The document is meant to give Catholic voters an opportunity to reflect upon how their faith intersects with their political and civic responsibilities," said the archbishop, who chairs the bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

Titled "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility From the Catholic Bishops of the United States," the document has been offered as a guide to Catholic voters every presidential election year since 1976.

It has been updated and revised at four-year intervals to reflect changes in the issues confronting the country since it first appeared.

One thing "Faithful Citizenship" is not is a mandate on which candidate for public office to vote for, Archbishop Coakley said.

Voting, he added, is a responsibility to be taken seriously and that requires prudential judgment in determining who can best serve the common good.

"No candidate will likely reflect all of our values," he said. "But I think we need to begin in prayer. We need to know our faith. We need to study our faith. We need to have recourse to the catechism and what it might teach about certain questions.

Read more HERE at TrentonMonitor.com.

"Responsible citizenship is a virtue, 
and participation in political life is a moral obligation."

- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

By our baptism, Catholics are committed to following Jesus Christ and to be "salt for the earth, light for the nations." As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This is inherent in the dignity of the human person ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).
 

“Communication is part of God’s plan for us and an essential way to experience fellowship. Made in the image and likeness of our Creator, we are able to express and share all that is true, good, and beautiful.

“But when we yield to our own pride and selfishness, we can also distort the way we use our ability to communicate.”

Such were the words of Pope Francis in his 2018 message for World Communications Day, a lesson the Church continues to share with its faithful, calling upon all to reject the destructive use of media – and instead, utilize it to share God’s love.

Whether print, broadcast, digital or social media, faithful are called to utilize news and images in responsible and appropriate ways. But how do you know if the information you are reading or hearing – and sharing – is coming from legitimate sources?

Check out these “Rules of the Road” to learn how you can stay on course to be a positive influence on social media and an informed faithful citizen.

Religious Liberty

Pope Benedict XVI's 2011 World Day of Peace message called religious freedom the “path to peace.” Since “religious freedom is at the origin of moral freedom,” the Pope taught it should be understood “not merely as immunity from coercion, but even more fundamentally as an ability to order one’s own choices in accordance with truth... When religious freedom is acknowledged, the dignity of the human person is respected at its root, and the ethos and institutions of peoples are strengthened. On the other hand, whenever religious freedom is denied, and attempts are made to hinder people from professing their religion or faith and living accordingly, human dignity is offended, with a resulting threat to justice and peace...."

Religious freedom has profound implications for the common good of our nation and world.  Visit the menu on the left for resources related to Religious Liberty at Home, International Religious Freedom, and Conscience Protection. The menu on the right offers opportunities for you to take action and make your voice heard in support of religious freedom within our nation and throughout the world.

What do we mean by religious liberty?

Religious liberty is the first liberty granted to us by God and protected in the First Amendment to our Constitution. It includes more than our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or pray the Rosary at home. It also encompasses our ability to contribute freely to the common good of all Americans.

What is the First Amendment?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights states the following: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

• Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States provides a framework for Catholics in the United States. En Español
• Bulletin Insert: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship | En Español

RESOURCES

• The Parish Guide to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship provides a road map for a successful implementation of the principles in the document.
• Visit the menu to the left for resources related to Church Teaching, All Catholics,Diocesan & Community Leaders, Parishes & Schools, Campuses & Young Adults,Youth, and Media. 
• Videos for Faithful Citizenship

Have more questions?

• Parish Guide to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
• Visit the menu to the left for resources related to Church Teaching, All Catholics,Diocesan & Community Leaders, Parishes & Schools, Campuses & Young Adults,Youth, and Media. 
• Videos for Faithful Citizenship

Visit the menu on the left for resources related to Religious Liberty at Home, International Religious Freedom, and Conscience Protection. The menu on the right offers opportunities for you to take action and make your voice heard in support of religious freedom within our nation and throughout the world.