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.

By Mary Clifford Morrell, Contributing Editor

In preparation for the 2022 mid-term elections Nov. 8, and the 2023 New Jersey State Senate elections, the New Jersey Catholic Conference offered the webinar, “Faithful Citizenship 101: A guide to understanding Catholics’ responsibility in the Public Square, Oct. 20.

Moderated by John Hardiman, NJCC director of public relations, with opening prayer and remarks from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, Diocese of Paterson, the webinar drew Catholics from across the state who, said, Hardiman, were “already engaged or who wanted to be more engaged in our democracy.”

Guest speaker, Anthony J. Granado, vice president of government relations for Catholic Charities USA, provided an overview of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ teaching document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility,” which, he said, was meant to address “the political responsibility of Catholics, our rights and duties as citizens, but also as followers of Christ called to fulfill the two greatest commandments, love of God and love of neighbor.”

Granado explained that every four years since 1976, the U.S. Bishops have issued a statement on political responsibility for Catholics. The current document title, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” was adopted in 2007.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Sweeney reflected that “each of us is here because we are trying to form our consciences, live our consciences … and with the help of the Holy Spirit and together with the Church we can continue to discern what the Lord is asking of us and how we can be faithful citizens.”

He shared his experiences with immigrant communities which helped him to see and appreciate “the great opportunities our country provides,” noting that “we should never forget the blessings and that with the blessings come responsibilities.”

Bishop Sweeney also observed the need “to be careful as Church to not be too tied to one political party.”
In the Faithful Citizenship document, noted Granado, the U.S. Bishops address four main questions:

• Why does the Church teach about issues affecting public policy?
• Who in the Church should participate in political life?
• How does the Church help the Catholic faithful to speak about political and social questions?
• What does the Church say about Catholic social teaching in the public square?

Granado also explained that the document focuses on four basic principles of Catholic social teaching: the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity. 

Taken together, write the U.S. Bishops, “these principles provide a moral framework for Catholic engagement in advancing what we have called elsewhere a ‘consistent ethic of life.’ … Rightly understood, this ethic does not treat all issues as morally equivalent, nor does it reduce Catholic teaching to one or two issues. It anchors the Catholic commitment to defend human life, from conception until natural death, in the fundamental moral obligation to respect the dignity of every person as a child of God.”

“We must remember,” said Granado, that “the dignity of the human person touches on many dimensions, as well, whether that be immigration, bioethics, war, peace, poverty … which means addressing issues such as racism, hunger, homelessness … and being instruments of peace at home and abroad.”

• Political Activity Dos and Don’ts, providing guidelines for parishes and Catholic organizations
• ​​​​​​Congressional Candidate Resource page to learn more about positions on various issues
• Voting Essentials, with information on mail-in, early voting, redistricting
• Civilize It, a USCCB campaign inspired by Pope Francis’ call to “create a new kind of politics.”
• USCCB videos on faith and politics

'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.