Faithful Citizenship
Resources for Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
“We know that God is One and God is Love. And we know that every human life begins as a thought of love in the mind of God. So every life is precious and every life is sacred — the child in her mother’s womb; the person who is disabled; the one who is old or sick; the homeless, the criminal, the immigrant and refugee. Nothing can separate any of us from the love of God! Not health or wealth. Not our “status” in society. We are all God’s children!”
-Archbishop José H. Gomez
Catholics have a religious and moral obligation to be faithful citizens. We carry out this duty in many ways — by running for political office; by working within political parties; by communicating our concerns and positions to our elected officials; and by joining Church and community organizations that seek justice and the common good in society.
On these pages, you will find resources to help you form your conscience in light of Catholic teaching and become better informed about issues of importance to the Catholic community.
Parish Resources
“An authentic faith… always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better than we found it. We love this magnificent planet on which God has put us, and we love the human family which dwells here, with all its tragedies and struggles, its hopes and aspirations, its strengths and weaknesses. The earth is our common home and all of us are brothers and sisters. If indeed “the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics,” the Church, “cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 183)
Civil Dialogue: A Better Way Forward
Pledge:
Handouts:
- Civil Dialogue: A response to Jesus’ call to love our neighbor
- What does it mean to form my conscience?
- Examination of Conscience: Loving Our Neighbors in the Public Square
Parish Guidelines
- Guidelines for Parishes during election season – Do’s and Don’ts (jpg)
- Activities that are allowed and encouraged (pdf)
- Voter Registration and Mobilization – Guidelines for Parishes (pdf)
- “Catholics Care. Catholics Vote” Faithful Citizenship Bulletin Insert (pdf)
Faithful Citizenship
- Questions for Reflection and Discussion of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship | en Español
- Summary Bulletin Insert Part 1 – The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: Our Call as Catholic Citizens | en Español
- Summary Bulletin Insert Part 2 – The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: Making Moral Choices and Applying Our Principles | en Español
- Elementary Lesson Plans | Esquemas de lecciones para escuelas de primaria
- Jr. High and High School Lesson Plans | Ejemplos de esquemas de lecciones y materiales para estudiantes de secundaria
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources for “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” website.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Introductory Letter – Click Here
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Documents: English and Spanish
Guidelines Regarding the Inclusion of Political Content in the Church’s Regularly Published Periodicals – By the California Catholic Conference – Click Here
Policy on Political Materials – By the California Catholic Conference – Click Here
Video series in 4 languages.
| English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Filipino (Tagalog) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholics Participate in Public Life | View Here | View Here | View Here | View Here |
| Catholics Protect Human Life and Dignity | View Here | View Here | View Here | View Here |
| Catholics Promote the Common Good | View Here | View Here | View Here | View Here |
| Catholics Love Their Neighbors | View Here | View Here | View Here | View Here |
| Faithful Citizens Work with Christ as he Builds His Kingdom | View Here | View Here | View Here | View Here |
“Our redemption has a social dimension because “God, in Christ, redeems not only the individual person, but also . . . social relations.” To believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in everyone means realizing that he seeks to penetrate every human situation and all social bonds. . . . Accepting the first proclamation, which invites us to receive God’s love and to love him in return with the very love which is his gift, brings forth in our lives and actions a primary and fundamental response: to desire, seek and protect the good of others.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, no. 178)