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Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility

- "We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern."
  
  — Pope Francis, 09.16.2013
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
- The document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the USCCB was approved in 2015, and serves as their teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. The document has been updated with a new introductory letter and was published online in February of 2020.
  
  From their website:
  
  "This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order."
  
  The USCCB published a two-part summary to complement their full teaching document. We walked through Part One ahead of and during our 2020 local and primaries, going deeper into how Catholics participate in public life, promote the common good, protect human life and dignity, and love their neighbors. Ahead of our 2020 local and national elections, we walked through Part Two, which considers how we apply our principles and social teachings to the act of voting and taking positions on various policy issues. This is an excellent resource to revisit any time we have an election.
- Part I
  
  Our Call as Catholic Citizens
- Part II
  
  Making Moral Choices & Applying Our Principles
- Fr. Dave
  on
  Faithful Citizenship
- Ballot Drop Site Locations
  
  Not sure where the closest Official Ballot Drop Site is? Use the State of Oregon's tool to help you locate one nearby! Remember, ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day, or received at a county elections office or official drop site by 8:00pm on Election Night.
  
  Click here to find your nearest ballot drop site!
- "Four Principles for Catholics During Election Season" (by Bishop Robert Barron)
  
  From our former pastor, Fr. Dave Gutmann:
  
  "With elections coming up soon, I have one more article for you that expresses particularly clearly our Catholic approach to voting: "Four Principles for Catholics During Election Season". Bishop Robert Barron is familiar to many of you and remains an amazing spokesman for us on many issues. Take a moment to read his words."
Prayer Before an Election
- Lord God, as the election approaches,
  we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
  and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
  
  We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
  so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
  one and equal in dignity,
  especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
  
  We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
  Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
  We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
  
  We pray for discernment
  so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
  live your love,
  and keep in the ways of your truth
  as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
  and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
  
  We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
  
  Amen.
  
  From the USCCB
Catholic Social Teaching
- "Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. . . [and] is built on a commitment to the poor. This commitment arises from our experiences of Christ in the eucharist. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, "To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren" (no. 1397). . . Our commitment to the Catholic social mission must be rooted in and strengthened by our spiritual lives. In our relationship with God we experience the conversion of heart that is necessary to truly love one another as God loved us. . . The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. It offers moral principles and coherent values that are badly needed in our time. In this time of widespread violence and diminished respect for human life and dignity in our country and around the world, the Gospel of life and the biblical call to justice need to be proclaimed and shared with new clarity, urgency, and energy.
  
  — USCCB, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions
  
  Learn about the key themes at the heart of our Catholic social tradition!
Combatting Racism
- "Racism is not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue to be bandied about when convenient. It is a real and present danger that must be met head on. As members of the Church, we must stand for the more difficult right and just actions instead of the easy wrongs of indifference. We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. . . People of good conscience must never turn a blind eye when citizens are being deprived of their human dignity and even their lives. Indifference is not an option. As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue."
  
  — Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen, 5/29/2020
- Read USCCB Pastoral Letter Against Racism
  Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love
- Discuss Study Guide for "Open Wide Our Hearts"
- Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism
  
  Practical Steps for Eradicating Racism: An Invitation