LEARN ABOUT FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

“THE WORK OF JUSTICE REQUIRES THAT THE MIND AND THE HEART OF CATHOLICS BE EDUCATED AND FORMED TO KNOW AND PRACTICE THE WHOLE FAITH” – USCCB, FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP, NO. 4

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For Catholics, being faithful citizens is a crucial responsibility, essential to our identity as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a task that is not limited to an electoral year or a particular issue, but a standing commitment to do everything in our power—praying, engaging in civic dialogue, voting, serving, advocating—to promote the dignity of the human person and contribute to the advancement of the common good on the local, state, national, and international levels. As a guide for such a crucial aspect of our lives, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has developed and periodically updated a document titled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

How to Make Political Choice: 4 Steps

Issues

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship is the teaching document of the Catholic Bishops of the United States on the political responsibility of Catholics. It provides guidance for all who seek to exercise their rights and duties as citizens. As people of both faith and reason, Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ’s commandment to “love one another” (Jn 13:34).

Videos on Faithful Citizenship

ARCHBISHOP GUSTAVO ON FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

EL ARZOBISPO GUSTAVO HABLÓ SOBRE CIUDADANÍA FIEL

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The USCCB has developed a series of videos to accompany the Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship document. These videos touch on some of the most important elements of the document.

CATHOLICS PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC LIFE

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CATHOLICS PROTECT HUMAN LIFE AND DIGNITY

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CATHOLICS PROMOTE THE COMMON GOOD

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CATHOLICS LOVE THEIR NEIGHBOURS

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FAITHFUL CITIZENS WORK WITH CHRIST AS HE BUILDS HIS KINGDOM

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How to Make Political Choices: 4 Steps

1. Form Your Conscience

The responsibility to make political choices rests with each person and their properly formed conscience, aided by prudence. “Prudence shapes and informs our ability to deliberate over available alternatives, to determine what is most fitting to a specific context, and to act decisively” (USCCB, Faithful Citizenship, no. 19).

According to the Faithful Citizenship document, the formation of one’s conscience includes several elements:

1. Embrace goodness and truth–which for Catholics implies the need to study Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church contained in the Catechism;
2. Examine the facts and background information about various choices, and
3. Prayerfully reflect on the path of action each one is supposed to take under a particular situation.

As you follow this process, keep in mind that “Catholics may choose different ways to respond to compelling social problems, but we cannot differ on our moral obligation to help build a more just and peaceful world through morally acceptable means, so that the weak and vulnerable are protected and human rights and dignity are defended” (USCCB, Faithful Citizenship, no. 20).

RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP YOU FORM YOUR CONSCIENCE

Use these USCCB bulletin inserts to share information on how to form your conscience:

Review numbers 1776–1802 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to learn more about the nature and dynamics of the human conscience:

Review numbers 2052–2557 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to learn more about the moral teachings of the Church (Ten Commandments):

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Review the following sections of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church to learn more about the principles of Catholic Social Doctrine that according to Faithful Citizenship no. 5 provide Catholics with the perspective they need to “evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and actions in the light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church” (Faithful Citizenship, no. 5):

1. The Dignity of the Human Person (no. 105–159)
2. Common Good (no. 164–169)
3. The Universal Destination of Goods (no. 171–184)
4. Subsidiarity (no. 185–188)
5. Participation (no. 189–191)
6. Solidarity (no. 192–196)

Review the following numbers of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church to learn more about the Church’s teaching on the family, human work, economic life, political community, the international community, the environment, and the promotion of peace:

1. Family (no. 205–254)
2. Human work (no. 255–322)
3. Economic life (no. 323–376)
4. Political community (no. 377–427)
5. The international community (no. 428–450)
6. The environment (no. 451–487)
7. The promotion of peace (no. 488–520)

Visit the Learn about the Issues section below to learn more about the Catholic Bishops’ position on some of the most important issues of our day and age.

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2. Do Good and Avoid Evil

“AIDED BY THE VIRTUE OF PRUDENCE IN THE EXERCISE OF WELL-FORMED CONSCIENCES, CATHOLICS ARE CALLED TO MAKE PRACTICAL JUDGMENTS REGARDING GOOD AND EVIL CHOICES IN THE POLITICAL ARENA.” – FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP, NO. 21

Numbers 22 through 30 of the Faithful Citizenship document provide the opportunity to understand what does it mean that, while making choices in the political arena, Catholics are called to do good and avoid evil.

The section opens with the description of a kind of actions “we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor”(no. 22). Such actions are known as “intrinsically evil”, and they must always be rejected and opposed and must never be supported or condoned. Some of the intrinsically evil actions mentioned in the Faithful Citizenship document are:

• Abortion
• Euthanasia
• Human cloning
• Destructive research on human embryos
• Genocide
• Torture
• Targeting of noncombatants in terrorism or war
• Racism
• Treating workers as mere means to an end
• Deliberately subjecting workers to subhuman living conditions
• Treating the poor as disposable
• Redefining marriage to deny its essential meaning

The document then moves on to explain that “the right to life implies and is linked to other human rights—to the basic goods that every human person needs to live and thrive. All the life issues are connected, for erosion of respect for the life of any individual or group in society necessarily diminishes respect for all life. The moral imperative to respond to the needs of our neighbors—basic needs such as food, shelter, health care, education, and meaningful work—is universally binding on our consciences and may be legitimately fulfilled by a variety of means. Catholics must seek the best ways to respond to these needs.” (no. 25)

Though these topics are not morally equivalent, their common connection to the dignity of the human person demands they should all be taken into consideration while making political decisions, leaving aside the possibility of considering one of them as enough basis for an adequate moral judgment on such matters. This is why the Bishops will latter state that:

“AS CATHOLICS WE ARE NOT SINGLE-ISSUE VOTERS. A CANDIDATE’S POSITION ON A SINGLE ISSUE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO GUARANTEE A VOTER’S SUPPORT. YET IF A CANDIDATE’S POSITION ON A SINGLE ISSUE PROMOTES AN INTRINSICALLY EVIL ACT, SUCH AS LEGAL ABORTION, REDEFINING MARRIAGE IN A WAY THAT DENIES ITS ESSENTIAL MEANING, OR RACIST BEHAVIOR, A VOTER MAY LEGITIMATELY DISQUALIFY A CANDIDATE FROM RECEIVING SUPPORT.” (NO. 42)

The Bishops will explain how these teachings affect the process through which a Catholic is called to discern who is he or she supposed to vote for on a given election, including how to act when all candidates hold a position that promotes an intrinsically evil act. Go to the 4. Make Moral Choices section of this website to learn more about this.

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3. Learn about the Issues

“OUR DEFENSE OF THE INNOCENT UNBORN, FOR EXAMPLE, NEEDS TO BE CLEAR, FIRM AND PASSIONATE, FOR AT STAKE IS THE DIGNITY OF A HUMAN LIFE, WHICH IS ALWAYS SACRED AND DEMANDS LOVE FOR EACH PERSON, REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT. EQUALLY SACRED, HOWEVER, ARE THE LIVES OF THE POOR, THOSE ALREADY BORN, THE DESTITUTE, THE ABANDONED AND THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, THE VULNERABLE INFIRM AND ELDERLY EXPOSED TO COVERT EUTHANASIA, THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, NEW FORMS OF SLAVERY, AND EVERY FORM OF REJECTION.” – POPE FRANCIS, GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE, NO. 101

“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. AT THE SAME TIME, WE CANNOT DISMISS OR IGNORE OTHER SERIOUS THREATS TO HUMAN LIFE AND DIGNITY SUCH AS RACISM, THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS, POVERTY AND THE DEATH PENALTY.” – FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP, INTRODUCTORY LETTER

As part of the process that will lead a Catholic to a prudent decision on political matters, he or she needs to take the necessary time to learn about the different issues that are at stake. In Part II of the Faithful Citizenship document (no. 63–90) the Catholic Bishops of the United States offer a summary of their policy positions on some of the most important issues of our day and age.

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CULTURE OF LIFE

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to human life (including abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, destruction of human embryos for research, assisted suicide, and the death penalty), review numbers 64–67 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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PROMOTING PEACE

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to the promotion of peace (including the use of force, torture, preventive use of military force, direct and intentional attacks on noncombatants, and the use of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons), review numbers 68 and 69 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to marriage and family (including the nature and importance of marriage, the topic of gender, and the protection and well-being of children), review numbers 70 and 71 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to religious freedom, review number 72 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to the Preferential Option for the Poor and Economic Justice (including just wages, equal pay and equal employment for women, the right of workers to choose to organize, economic freedom, the right to private property, the fight against poverty, social security, affordable housing, and food security for all), review numbers 73–79 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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HEALTH CARE

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to Health Care, review number 80 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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MIGRATION

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to Migration, review number 81 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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CATHOLIC EDUCATION

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to Catholic Education (including), review numbers 82 and 83 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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PROMOTING JUSTICE AND COUNTERING VIOLENCE

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to the promotion of justice and the countering of violence (including reasonable restrictions on access to assault weapons and handguns, opposing the use of the death penalty, and the reform of our broken criminal justice system), review number 84 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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COMBATTING UNJUST DISCRIMINATION

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to combatting unjust discrimination (whether based on race religion, sex, ethnicity, disabling condition, or age), review number 85 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to the care of our common home, review number 86 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA, AND CULTURE

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to communications, media, and culture, review numbers 87 through 89 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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GLOBAL SOLIDARITY

To learn more about the Catholic Bishops of the United States’ position on topics connected to global solidarity, review number 90 of the Faithful Citizenship document.

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4. Make Moral Choices

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One of the most relevant parts of the Faithful Citizenship document is the one that deals with the moral decisions that Catholics have to take while facing specific laws, policies, and local, state, and federal elections. The topic of how to vote is specifically addressed in numbers 34–37 of the document:

34. Catholics often face difficult choices about how to vote. This is why it is so important to vote according to a well-formed conscience that perceives the proper relationship among moral goods. A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, deliberately subjecting workers or the poor to subhuman living conditions, redefining marriage in ways that violate its essential meaning, or racist behavior, if the voter’s intent is to support that position. In such cases, a Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in grave evil. At the same time, a voter should not use a candidate’s opposition to an intrinsic evil to justify indifference or inattentiveness to other important moral issues involving human life and dignity.

35. There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate’s unacceptable position even on policies promoting an intrinsically evil act may reasonably decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons. Voting in this way would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, not to advance narrow interests or partisan preferences or to ignore a fundamental moral evil.

36. When all candidates hold a position that promotes an intrinsically evil act, the conscientious voter faces a dilemma. The voter may decide to take the extraordinary step of not voting for any candidate or, after careful deliberation, may decide to vote for the candidate deemed less likely to advance such a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods.

37. In making these decisions, it is essential for Catholics to be guided by a well-formed conscience that recognizes that all issues do not carry the same moral weight and that the moral obligation to oppose policies promoting intrinsically evil acts has a special claim on our consciences and our actions. These decisions should take into account a candidate’s commitments, character, integrity, and ability to influence a given issue. In the end, this is a decision to be made by each Catholic guided by a conscience formed by Catholic moral teaching.

For a summary of what the Faithful Citizenship document has to say on making moral decisions, read this brief USCCB document on Making Moral Choices and Applying our Principles.

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