Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship A Call to Political Responsibility

Overview Introduction I.The Church’s Role in Public Life II.The Role of Conscience III.Faithful Citizenship IV.Citizens and Disciples V.Catholic Social Teaching

Current Realities  We name as our national ideals, “liberty and justice for all…”  …but we are too often divided against lines of: Race, Ethnicity, and Economic Inequality.

Current Realities  We are a nation of immigrants…”  …but we have let fear restrict our welcome.

Current Realities  We are an affluent society…  …but the poor are becoming poorer and lack access to basic health care, quality education and good jobs.

Signs of the times 2016  A Post 9/11 World & Terrorism  Wars in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria…  Record fluxuating gas prices  Manufacturing industry moving out of US  Record budget deficit  Growing gap between rich and poor  Inconsistent Unemployment  Crises in education and its financing  Homelessness, crime, hunger

I. The Church’s Role in Public Lie Why, Who, How, Social Teachings in the Public Square

What is the Church’s role in public life?  We need to recognize that public issues have moral dimensions.  We need to bring our moral convictions to public life.  We need to apply our Catholic social teaching in the public square.  We are called to be a community of conscience within society.  We need to witness to the fact that religious values have significant public consequences.

The Bishops say…  “The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our baptismal commitment.”  “We do not tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote.”  “We should be guided more by our moral convictions than our attachment to a political party or special interest  “Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth.”

The Bishops say…  “The responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience.”  “Participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election.”

II. The Role of Conscience

A Well-formed Conscience  “Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he or she is going to perform.” – CCC#1178  “It is not something that allows us to justify doing whatever we want, nor is it a mere feeling about what we should or should not do.”

A Well-formed Conscience  “The church equips its members to address political and social questions by help them to develop a well formed conscience.“  “Incorporates the virtue of Prudence that enables us to discern out ture good in every circumstance and choose the right the right means of achieving it”

A Well-formed Conscience  “Catholics have a serious and lifelong obligation to form their consciences in accord with human reason and the teaching of the Church.”  How?  Have the desire for truth and goodness  Study Scripture and Catechism of the Church  Examine facts through reputable resources  Pray

A Well-formed Conscience  Recognize those actions that are intrinsically evil. Examples???  Resist temptations that can distort the Church’s defense of human life and dignity  No ethical distinctions between different kinds of issues involving human life and dignity  Use the moral distinctions to lessen, dismiss or ignore threats to human life or dignity

III. Faithful Citizenship

What is our focus as Faithful Citizens? “The Church calls for a different kind of political engagement: one shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on…  the dignity of every human being  The pursuit of the common good  The protection of the weak and vulnerable.”

Making Moral Choices  Must oppose candidates who knowingly, willingly, and directly support public policies or legislations that undermine fundamental moral principles cooperate with evil such as abortion and euthanasia  What if ALL the candidates hold a position that promotes an intrinsically evil act?  Reread paragraph #34-37

IV. Citizens and Disciples

Citizens and Disciples  The Christian disciple, through a life of witness is the occasion by which kingdom justice is made visible to the world.  To engage in the witness of justice is to disclose God’s will for all people.  Voting is one way in which this witness takes shape.

 “This dual calling of faith and citizenship is at the heart of what it means to be Catholic in the United States. Faithful citizenship calls us to seek “a place at the table” of life for all God’s children.” Citizen AND Disciple

 As Catholics, the election and the policy choices that follow it call us to recommit ourselves to carry the values of the Gospel and the church teaching into the public square. As citizens and residents of the United States, we have the duty to participate now and in the future in the debates and choices over the values, vision, and leaders that will guide our nation.

 “We encourage all citizens, particularly Catholics, to embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity to meaningfully participate more fully in building the culture of life.”

On the threshold of an election: We are…  Called to be political, not partisan  Called to be principled, not ideological  Called to be engaged, not manipulated

Realities of being a faithful citizen  Focus on issues, not just candidates.  As Catholics, we may find ourselves politically homeless.  Civic engagement must be about more than just voting.  It requires ongoing participation in the continuing political and legislative process AFTER the election and between votes.

V. Catholic Social Teaching & the Issues

In the Catholic Tradition…  Responsible citizenship is a virtue.  Participation is a moral obligation.  We are called to exercise moral judgment.  Citizenship is a form of public discipleship.

Skills needed:  Willingness to put some time and effort into educating ourselves on the issues.  Think of this as an investment in the formation of conscience.  Critical analysis  Discernment  Engagement

Uphold a consistent ethic of life  Seamless garment of life  “A consistent ethic of life should be the moral framework from which to address issues in the political arena.”

A Lens for Analysis  Catholic teachings offers consistent moral principles to assess issues, political platforms and campaigns for their impact on human life and dignity.

Principles to guide analysis and reflection  Option for the Poor  Solidarity  Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers  Common Good  Stewardship, care for earth  Respect for Life  Human dignity  Participation  Subsidiarity

Key Issues  Terrorism  Jobs  Life Issues  Education  Immigration  Health care  Environment  Economy  Taxes  The Deficit  Affordable Housing  War in the world  Trade  Global Security

Specific Key Issues  Abortion  Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide  Embryonic stem cell  Torture  Death Penalty  War and Methods of War  Definition of marriage  LGBT  Minimum wage  Union Rights  Religious Liberty  Welfare Reform  Social Security  Housing  Affordable Health Care  Immigration Policy  Disaster Relief  Environmental Issues  Education Financing  Right to choose Education  Common Core  Renewable Energy  Global Climate Change  GM Foods  Use of Media

Politicians to research A  Donald Trump  John Kasich  Ted Cruz  Hillary Clinton  Bernie Sanders  Robert Whitaker  Farley Anderson B  Debbie Stabenow  Gary Peters  Bill Huizenga  Justin Amash  Fred Upton  Rick Syder C  Arlan Meekhof (30)  Peter MacGregor (28)  Dave Hillebrand (29)  Tonya Schuitmaker (26)  Mike Nofs (19)  Geoff Hansen (34)

Web Sites as Resources  USCCB - Faithful Citizenship Website  faithfulcitizenship.org  Education for Justice-Center of Concern   Factcheck.org   politics1.com

The End.