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Faithful Citizenship
Student Video Contest
Students were asked to create a short film that outlines the civic responsibilities of Catholics and the important issues facing our world today, paying particular attention to the precepts laid out by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. See the winning entries:View Video Contest Entry #1 by Maureen Gibbons, Trinity High School (Winner)
View Video Contest Entry #2 by Conor Mullaney and Eric Kallander, Trinity High School (Honorable Mention)
Student Artwork
Students were asked to create a drawing, painting, poster, or collage to express any or all of the following civic responsibilities of faithful citizenship set forth out by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.- Protecting Human Life
- Respecting the Human Dignity of All
- Promoting Justice & Peace
- Giving Preferential Option to the Poor
- Ensuring the Dignity of the Worker
- Caring for God’s Creation
Winner: Chelsey Serrano - Trinity High School
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Hanna Ogilvy
Trinity High School |
Student Essays
Students were asked to write an essay in 1,000 words or less addressing the role of faith in civic life.Division I: Grades 6 - 8
Winner: Forrest Powers, St. Mary School, Claremont
Honorable Mention: Joseph Salinardi, St. Mary School, Claremont
Division II: Grades 9-12
Winner: Corrine Dolan, Trinity High School
Honorable Mention:
Ashley Cavignano, Trinity High School
Lindsey Hanna, Trinity High School
Michael Quinlan, Trinity High School
Conscience and Your Vote
In 2008, Bishop John B. McCormack developed a document, “Conscience and Your Vote,” to assist others in understanding the nature of conscience and the moral obligation to vote and to outline Catholic social teaching on some of today’s pressing issues.The document is based on the shared faith and human understanding we possess as Catholics.
Read Conscience and Your Vote
Click here to download a copy of Conscience and Your Vote
(pdf)
Joint statement of Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Murphy on voting and the abortion issue
(pdf)
Read Bishop McCormack's message, "The Place of God in the Public Arena"
Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship
On November 14, 2007, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (“USCCB”) approved a document entitled, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States,” which urges Catholics to be involved in public life and to use the values of their faith to shape their political choice. The document describes the role of the Church in helping Catholics to form their consciences, so that they are “better able to evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and action in light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church in order to help build a better world.” The document includes a reflection on the principles that shape Catholic participation and a set of goals for political life for use when considering public policy decisions and when framing questions for candidates.For a summary of "Forming Consciences" read The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship from the Catholic Bishops of the United States
Other documents:
On January 16, 2003 the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released its “Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life”. The following are links to the United States Bishops’ statements on the Doctrinal Note and the Note itself.
Doctrinal Note on Participation of Catholics in Political Life
For a synopsis:
For Bishop Wilton Gregory’s Statement see:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2003/03-009.shtml
For a synopsis of the Doctrinal Note see:
http://www.usccb.org/dpp/synopsis.htm
For some questions regarding the Doctrinal Note see:
http://www.usccb.org/dpp/questions.htm
Political Activity Guidelines
Members of the U.S. Catholic Conference have recognized the need to distribute guidelines for parishes in election years. In their recent document, Political Responsibility: Proclaiming the Gospel of Life, Protecting the Least among Us, and Pursuing the Common Good, they say:
“The key to a renewal of public life is reorienting politics to reflect better the search for the common good (i.e., reconciling diverse interests for the well-being of the whole human family) and a clear commitment to the dignity of every person. If politics ignores this fundamental task, it can easily become little more than an arena for partisan gamesmanship, the search for power for its own sake, or interest group conflict. Pope John Paul II has warmly praised democratic values but warned against a ‘crisis within democracies’ which ‘seem at times to have lost the ability to make decisions aimed at the common good.’ ”
“The Church’s approach to public life is shaped by the principles of Catholic social teaching, including:
- The life and dignity of the human person
- Human rights and responsibilities
- The call to family and community
- The dignity of work and the rights of workers
- The preferential option for the poor
- Solidarity
- Care for God's creation
The Church’s role in the political order includes the following:
- Educate the faithful regarding the teachings of the Church and their responsibilities
- Analyzing issues for their social and moral dimensions
- Measuring public policy against gospel values
- Participating with other concerned parties in debate over public policy
- Speaking out with courage, skill and concern on public issues involving human rights, social justice, and the life of the Church in society.”
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits Catholic organizations that are exempt under its provisions from participating or intervening in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
USCCB Guidelines for Catholic Organizations
Diocese of Manchester Public Policy Directives