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Faithful Citizenship . Addresses…. Current Problems Fundamental problems Serious moral questions: Unborn Children Renewed efforts to force Catholic ministries to violate conscience Economic crisis Immigration War, terror, and violence . Part I: Forming Consciences. Our Nation .
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Addresses… • Current Problems • Fundamental problems • Serious moral questions: • Unborn Children • Renewed efforts to force Catholic ministries to violate conscience • Economic crisis • Immigration • War, terror, and violence
Our Nation • “Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness” • But, Life is not fully protected • An affluent society • But, too many live in poverty and lack healthcare
Vatican II • Declaration on religious Liberty • Dignitatis Humane “Society itself may enjoy the benefits of justice and peace, which result from [people’s] faithfulness to God and His holy Will” (no.6)
Four Questions Addressed • Why does the Church teach about issues affecting public policy? • Who in the Church should participate in political life? • How does the Church help the Catholic faithful to speak about political and social questions? • What does the Church say about Catholic social teaching in the public square?
Intention of Bishops • To NOT tell Catholics who to vote for • To NOT tell Catholics who to vote against • Purpose is to guide the faithful in the formation of their conscience in accordance with God’s Truth
Public Policy (Q.1) • Participation is a REQUIRMENT of our faith • Dignity of the human person • Core of Catholic moral and social teaching
Public Policy (Q.1) • Is it appropriate for the Church to participate? • YES! • Civil law should protect the Church’s right, opportunities, and obligation to participate in society without being forced to abandon moral truths
Participation (Q.2) • Responsible Citizenship • Virtue • To bear Christian witness in all that we do • Part. should transform the party we belong, we should not be transformed by the party • Be ACTIVE • Run for office, work with political parties, communicate concerns, VOTE!
The Church’s Help (Q.3) • Guides the Faithful to form a well formed conscience • Not just a “feeling” • Prudence
The Church’s Help (Q.3) • Not all possible courses of action are morally acceptable • Responsibility to discern • Process may restore justice only partially or gradually • John Paul II: if abortion law cannot be overturn –work to lessen the number of abortions
The Church’s Help (Q.3) • A Catholic CANNOT vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil • Formal Cooperation in evil • What if all candidates hold that position? • Choose who will less likely advance the evil • Not all moral issues bear the same weight
Social Teaching (Q.4) • Does not reduce to one/two issues • Respect for life • Protection of the family • The economy • Caring for God’s creation “To see beyond party politics, to analyze rhetoric critically, to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest”
A Renewed Kind of Politics • Focused more on moral principles than on the latest polls • Focused more on the needs of the weak than on benefits for the strong • Focused more on the pursuit of the common good than on the demands of narrow interests
Key Issues • Human Life • Biotech., war, death penalty, abortion, etc. • Family Life • Marriage, wages, right to choose an education, media • Social Justice • Jobs for all who can work, wages, worker rights, welfare policy, faith based groups, social security, health Care, housing, immigration, agriculture, education • Global Solidarity • Poverty, humanize globalization, religious liberty, defense, etc.
Questions to Ask • Should be better than, “are you better off than you were four years ago?” • Challenge: • To consider the moral and ethical dimensions of public policy
Goals to Pursue • Candidates are asked to pursue these goals: • Protect the weakest in our midst • Keep our nation from turning to violence • Define institution of Marriage (one man/one woman) • Immigration reform • Help families overcome poverty • Health care • Oppose prejudice/hostility • Encourage the pursuing of the common good • Moral limits on military force • Pursue peace/human rights with other countries
Instructions • Gather in groups of 4 • After being assigned a question, discuss your ideas and highlight on the white board your main ideas • In rounds, each groups will have a presenter stand, read the question and report how their group responded to the answer • After the presenter is done, anyone who has questions/comments may then present them to the group.
Discussion Questions • What do you think it means to be a “faithful citizen?” Do you think teens today act like “faithful citizens”? Why or why not? • What is the role of the Church in politics? In what ways do you think the Church can influence the political sphere –or, do you think it is even appropriate for the Church to do so? Explain. • How do you think society, and politics would change if all Catholics became “faithful citizens”? • Do you think protests, such as the Occupy Wall Street Movement, are good examples of how to act out living a “faithful citizenship”? Why or why not? • Why do you think so many Catholics today do not allow their Catholic Faith to influence their participation in politics? • Do you think that Catholic politicians, like that of Nancy Pelosi, knowingly reject Catholic Doctrine or teaching, or are just confused and unsure what that teaching is? How might this disobedience or confusion effect how they lead? Explain.
