2. In loyalty to their country and
in faithful fulfillment of their
civic obligations, Catholics
should feel themselves obliged
to promote the true common
good. Thus they should make
the weight of their opinion felt
in order that the civil authority
may act with justice and that
legislation may conform to
moral precepts and the
common good.
3. THE APOLOGIST: A TRADITION
OF ADVOCACY
“[Christians] teaching is not
based upon reveries inspired by
the curiosity of men. Unlike
some other people, they
champion no purely human
doctrine… They pass their days
upon earth, but they are citizens
of heaven. Obedient to the
laws, they yet live on a level that
transcends the law.” Epistle to Diognetus
4. • “In this statement, we bishops do
not intend to tell Catholics for
whom or against whom to vote.
Our purpose is to help Catholics
form their consciences in
accordance with God’s truth. We
recognize that the responsibility
to make choices in political life
rests with each individual in light
of a properly formed
conscience, and that participation
goes well beyond casting a vote
in a particular election.” (2011)
Introduction
5. The Church and Political Life
“The Church cannot and must not take
upon herself the political battle to bring
about the most just society possible.
She cannot and must not replace the
State. Yet at the same time she cannot
and must not remain on the sidelines in
the fight for justice. She has to play her
part through rational argument and she
has to reawaken the spiritual energy
without which justice, which always
demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and
prosper….”
Benedict XVI, Deus
Caritas Est: #28 (2006)
6. The Church and Political Life
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. …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.
Benedict XVI, Deus
Caritas Est: #29 (2006)
7. FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE
Conscience must be informed and
moral judgment enlightened. A
well-formed conscience is upright
and truthful. It formulates its
judgments according to reason, in
conformity with the true good
willed by the wisdom of the
Creator. #1783
- C a te c h i s m o f t h e C a t h o l i c C h u r c h ( 1 9 9 5 )
In forming one’s conscience please
consider the following three principles
Intrinsically Evil Acts
Consistent Ethic of Life
Catholic Social Teachings
8. The Second Vatican Council itself, in
discussing the respect due to the
human person, gives a number of
examples of such acts: "Whatever is
hostile to life itself, such as any kind
of
John Paul II: Veritatis homicide, genocide, abortion, euthan
Splendor #80 (1995) asia and voluntary suicide; whatever
violates the integrity of the human
person, such as mutilation, physical
Reason attests that there are and mental torture and attempts to
objects of the human act coerce the spirit; whatever is
which are by their nature offensive to human dignity, such as
"incapable of being ordered" subhuman living conditions, arbitrary
to God, because they imprisonment, deportation, slavery, p
radically contradict the good rostitution and trafficking in women
and children; degrading conditions of
of the person made in his work which treat labourers as mere
image. These are the acts instruments of profit, and not as free
which, in the Church's moral responsible persons: all these and the
tradition, have been termed like are a disgrace, and so long as
"intrinsically evil" (intrinsece they infect human civilization they
contaminate those who inflict them
malum): they are such always more than those who suffer
and per se… injustice, and they are a negation of
the honor due to the Creator".
9. CONSISTENT ETHIC OF LIFE
Adopting a consistent ethic of life, the Catholic
Church promotes a broad spectrum of issues
"seeking to protect human life and promote
human dignity from the inception of life to its
final moment." Opposition to abortion and
euthanasia does not excuse indifference to
those who suffer from poverty, violence and
injustice. Any politics of human life must work
to resist the violence of war and the scandal of
capital punishment. Any politics of human dignity
must seriously address issues of
racism, poverty, hunger, employment, education, h
ousing, and health care. Therefore, Catholics
should eagerly involve themselves as
advocates for the weak and marginalized in all
these areas.
- USCCB: “Living the Gospel of Life” (1998)
10. Life and Dignity of the Human
Person
Call to
Family, Community, and
Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Option for the Poor and
Vulnerable
The Dignity of Work and the
Rights of Workers
Solidarity
Care for God’s Creation
11. Human Life
• Opposing
Abortion, Euthanasia, and the
Death Penalty
• Genocide, torture, targeting of
noncombatants in war or
terrorism
• Concern with Biotechnology:
specifically the cloning and
destruction of human
embryos
• Promoting Peace and the
avoidance of war, concern
about the preventive use of
military force, Disarmament
12. Definition of Marriage
Policies to strengthen the
Family:
services, taxes, work/wages, i
mmigration (family
reunification)
Protection of children:
human
trafficking, contraceptive
mandates,
Education: Right to choose a
school
Media impact: offensive
material and violence
Family Life
13. Social Justice
Dignity of Work: Employment
growth, just wages, unjust
discrimination, right to
organize, economic freedom.
Human Services: Poverty reduction
programs, Tax Credits, Social
Security, Affordable
Housing, Affordable and Accessible
Healthcare, Food security (eg. food
stamps), Circle of Protection
Campaign
Comprehensive Immigration
Reform, Dream Act
Criminal Justice system reform
Ecological concerns: sustainable
agriculture, global climate change
Discrimination
14. Global Solidarity
Alleviate Global Poverty
Increased development aid, equitable trade
policies, debt relief
Defend Human Rights
Religious Liberty
End the use of torture
Support UN programs and reforms to
strengthen international bodies and law.
Provide Refugee Asylum
International leadership
In addressing regional conflicts
Peaceful solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Respond to the Human Consequences of War in
Iraq and Afghanistan
15. Do’s and Don’ts
For Parishes
PLEASE DO NOT…!!!
PLEASE DO…!!!
Endorse/oppose Political Endorse/oppose Legislation and
Candidates Referendum
Homilies/Bulletin inserts regarding Homilies/Bulletin inserts on moral
specific candidates issues
Distribute partisan or candidate Provide educational material on
rating material on Church property public policy issues
Arrange Groups to work for a Organize Prayer services/vigils or
candidate Novenas encouraging Faithful
Fund or support Candidates, PACs Citizenship.
or Party Encourage local legislative district
Invite Candidates to address your meetings with their elected official to
Church sponsored group or host advocate on issues and legislation
political meetings on Church Encourage letter-writing/emails or
Property phone calls with elected officials
Conduct partisan voter registration regarding issues and legislation
Share parish mailing lists to political Conduct a nonpartisan voter
parties or campaigns registration drive on Church
property
16. Civil Discourse
O Catholics should try to O Ground Rules:
cooperate with all men O Make sure everyone has an opportunity
and women of good will to to speak
promote whatever is true, O Share your personal experience not
whatever just, whatever someone else’s.
holy, whatever lovable (cf. O Listen carefully and respectfully. Do not
Phil. 4:8). They should play the role of know it all, convincer or
hold discussions with corrector. Dialogue is not a Debate.
them, excel them in O Don’t interrupt unless for clarification
prudence and courtesy, or timekeeping
and initiate research on O Accept that no group or viewpoint has a
social and public practices monopoly on the truth.
which should be improved O “Be more ready to give a favorable
in line with the spirit of the interpretation to another’s statement
Gospel. (Apostolicam than to condemn it.”
Actuasitatem #14) O Be cautious about assigning motives to
another person.
17. Being a Faithful Citizen
VOTE… (Make a Moral Decision)
but don’t stop there!
Develop an ongoing relationship with
your local, state and federal elected
official:
Visit, Write/email, Call (take copies of
our “Contacting Your Elected Official”
handout.
Vote with your money.
Be a conscientious consumer
Be a socially responsible Investor
18. Organize Prayer or Faith Sharing Groups related to Catholic social
teaching
Develop or join a Parish advocacy/social justice Committee
o Organize a Parish Voter’s registration where you offer resources from the
USCCB or NY State Catholic Conference (NYSCC)
o Promote upcoming advocacy events like the:
• Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (sponsored by the USCCB in Wash. DC)
• Catholics at the State Capitol (sponsored by the NYSCC in Albany)
o Take part in advocacy campaigns that are promoted by the USCCB
• Respect Life Program
• Poverty USA
• Justice for Immigrants
• Religious Liberty
• Catholic Mobilizing Network to end the use of the Death Penalty
• Catholic Coalition on Climate Change
• Catholics Confront Global Poverty
Editor's Notes
Welcome everyone, Introduce the Event and the Speaker. Let the audience know that the Catholic Church wants Catholics to responsibly participate in the political arena. To that end they offer as a resource the document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship”Forming our conscience towards responsible political participation means we must educate ourselves on the moral principles and social teachings of our Church, that is why we are here today to discuss. Perhaps you can remind them of the partisan environment that has transformed the political landscape and let them know that as Catholics the Bishops call us to transcend this unfortunate political environment.
Begin by reminding them that Vatican II calls the laity to be faithful citizens. Our Church has a document on the ministry (apostolate) of the laity and in it we are called to represent the principles of our faith within the social and political realm.You may want to inform them that Pope Benedict XVI also reminds us that Charity is an essential component of the living of the Gospel, as essential as sacraments and the Preaching the Word (Deus Caritas Est #22) and that Charity is very much defined as direct service and political advocacy (Caritas in Veritate #7).
Then let them know that this idea of faithful citizens is very much part of our Christian tradition and apostolic heritage. Remind them of the Apologist and the way that folks like Origen and Justin Martyr advocated for the Early Christian community to the political power of the Roman Empire.In this instance, an unknown apologist lets the early Christian community know that we transcend the political ideologies of all time. We transcend the law because we follow the Law of Christ (Divine Law)Catholics do not fit an ideological framework. We are neither socialist nor libertarians, neither liberals or conservatives, as Cardinal Francis George calls it, “Simply Catholic.” (The Difference God Makes)
Now Introduce Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (FC): Start by discussing the purpose of this document (as stated in the introduction above.)The Church will not tell you who to vote for. Do not look for easy answers because there are none. The purpose is to offer a formation of Conscience so that the lay person can be aware of the principles of our faith and with that information we can apply it within our civic obligations (which go beyond November 6th)
In this slide we want to emphasize two things.The Church must not seek to replace the state (We had, Christendom, not a good idea)As a moral teacher (Moral precepts flow from our faith (10 commandments, Beatitudes, Golden Rule)) Our Church is responsible for offering social principles and critiquing conventional laws based on our limited knowledge of Divine Laws (via natural law)
However it is our duty as socially responsible Catholics to participate within our social reality (political, economic, cultural) and to promote the principles of our faith within these social systems. As Vatican II tells us: This this our particular ministry, as laity.
Now let us go into the idea of formation of conscience, which is the purpose of FC. As a reminder let them know that an essential element to the sacrament of reconciliation is the “examination of conscience.” Our tradition tells us that Conscience comes from God and it is through our conscience that we have access to the first principles of divine law (synderesis). We are obliged to follow our conscience.However our conscience can be in error since it is a process (syneidesis) and our interpretation and experience may limit our understanding. So we must always evaluate and form conscience with the resources of our revealed faith and tradition (again, the purpose of the document)Extol the virtue of prudence. The way it is used in our tradition is not the way it is typically defined. In this case prudence is the virtue of ongoing discernment. Always reflect and be open to the social context.
Paragraph 22 in FC mentions this important word so lets discuss it.“There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor… These are called “intrinsically evil” actions… A prime example is the intentional taking of innocent human life, as in abortion and euthanasia.”Vatican II (Gaudium Et Spes (1965)) and the Papal Encyclicals have defined this term which is always broader than American Catholic usage so we should take some time to emphasize this authentic definition. The best definition was put forward to moral theologians in the Document Veritatis Splendor. Share these two paragraphs separately so on the one hand they promote the definition and then discuss the issues under the definition that had been spelled out with Gaudium Et Spes. Please note the breadth of issues that come under that definition. FC reminds us of this under paragraphs 24-29
Another element of consideration that has been developed and supported by the Papacy (Evangelium Vitae) and the U.S. Bishops is the concept that originated with Cardinal Bernadine of Chicago, the Consistent Ethic of Life (seamless garment). To be Pro-Life (which we most certainly are) is to adopt a consistent ethic on all issues that affect the dignity of life.“Whatever is hostile to life” “Whatever violates the integrity of the human person”“Whatever is offensive to human dignity”Certainly the concept of “intrinsically evil” acts does place a priority but it does not excuse the other issues of social concern. We are challenged to promote a consistent ethic for all life as this USCCB quote suggests.
Now let us go over the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Go over the historical development of these principles (1891 Leo XIII’s RerumNovarum – 2009 Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate)Using the handout on the seven principle go over each one’s definition. Perhaps have readers read them out load to everyone. (give presenter a break)This is the lens of our Church’s moral principles from which our conscience is to be formed. Engage in a discussion using examples for each principle.This is the basis of our Catholic social teaching. Our best kept secret… no longer.The ensuing issues flow from these seven principles.Forming Conscience will organize the issue from these principles by constructing four categories:Human LifeFamily LifeSocial JusticeGlobal SolidarityAnd off we go…
Go Over.
Go Over.
Go Over.
Go Over.
Very Important.How do we within our Catholic community (parishes) become agents of faithful citizenship. Our Church invites us to be engaged both individually and socially. Our parishes are asked to help organize this within an appropriate framework (remind folks earlier slide of what the Church is called to do and not do. Individually we can engage by participating in a variety of levels. But, as a public Catholic institutions our Parishes are to observe limitation based on our Church’s restriction (slide #6) and our tax exempt status.Note: If people ask, quote from the New York State Catholic Conference – “While we are aware that other tax-exempt organizations may not always abide by the law, we, as Church, are committed to obeying the law.”Go over each do’s and don’ts and explain.Offer Handout
Also Important.Especially in light of the partisan and divisive environment our Church challenges us to be communities of salt and light. Again, refer to Vatican II’s document on the lay apostolate to remind folks how we are to appropriately engage in our political responsibility.Share the ground rules (and handout from the USCCB).
Next Steps. Being a faithful CitizenBig reminder: Its not about November 6th. Think of Nov. 6th as a teachable moment. We are called to be faithful citizens 24/7Create a handout of resources and links. Hand that out and go over it with the audience.Remind folks about the March NYSCC advocacy in Albany.February Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in DC.
