Faithful Citizenship

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States

"This statement highlights the role of the Church in the formation of conscience, and the corresponding moral responsibility of each Catholic to hear, receive, and act upon the Church’s teaching in the lifelong task of forming his or her own conscience. With this foundation, Catholics are better able to evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and actions in light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church in order to help build a better world." (No. 5)

Official USCCB Website for Faithful Citizenship

The website contains resources for laity, parishes, schools, and community and diocesan leaders

Bishop Farrell and Vann's Joint Statement concerning Faithful Citizenship

"[T]he decisions we make on these political and moral issues affect not only the general peace and prosperity of society at large, but also may affect each individual's salvation. As Catholics, we must treat our political choices with appropriate moral gravity and in doing so, realize our continuing and unavoidable obligation to be a voice for the voiceless unborn, whose destruction by legal abortion is the preeminent intrinsic evil of our day. With knowledge of the Church's teaching on these grave matters, it is incumbent upon each of us as Catholics to educate ourselves on where the candidates running for office stand on these issues, particularly those involving intrinsic evils" - Bishops Kevin Farrell and Kevin Vann