Faithful Citizenship: Our Civic Duty And Christian Calling

what does faithful citizenship mean

Faithful citizenship is a crucial responsibility for Catholics, integral to their identity as followers of Jesus Christ. It involves mindful consideration of public policy and voting issues through the lens of the Church's teachings. It is not limited to elections but requires ongoing participation in the political and legislative process. Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ's commandment to love one another (John 13:34). This means promoting the dignity of the human person and contributing to the advancement of the common good at local, state, national, and international levels. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has developed resources to guide Catholics in their political participation, including the document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. This document provides a framework for Catholics to exercise their rights and duties as citizens in a democracy, encouraging them to form their consciences, teach others, and engage in civil and respectful political dialogue.

Characteristics Values
Participation in political life Following Jesus Christ and bearing Christian witness
Upholding religious freedom
Protecting human life and dignity
Promoting the common good
Exercising the right to vote
Protecting human rights
Protecting religious freedom
Protecting the environment
Protecting vulnerable people
Practicing civil dialogue
Practicing Christ's commandment to "love one another"

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Voting and political participation

The Church's teaching on faithful citizenship outlines a moral obligation for Catholics to participate in political life. This obligation stems from their baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and bear witness to their faith in all aspects of life. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "it is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good". This means that Catholics should strive to influence public policy and promote justice, peace, and the inherent dignity of all human beings.

Voting is a crucial aspect of political participation. In the United States, Catholics are encouraged to vote according to their well-formed consciences, guided by the Church's moral teachings. While the Church does not tell Catholics how to vote, it provides guidance on political responsibility and encourages Catholics to form their consciences in accordance with God's truth. This includes considering candidates' positions on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, racial behaviour, and the redefinition of marriage, which the Church considers to be intrinsically evil acts.

In addition to voting, the Church encourages Catholics to engage in other forms of political participation, such as running for office, working within political parties, and communicating their concerns to elected officials. Catholics are also encouraged to get involved in traditional forms of political activity, such as letter writing, protests, rallies, and petitions. Community organising and advocacy for the marginalised are also important aspects of political participation for Catholics.

The Church's position on faithful citizenship is not intended to be partisan or ideological but rather to provide a moral framework for political engagement. Catholics are called to bring their faith and moral convictions into the public square, seeking to build a civilisation of truth and love that upholds the dignity of all human life. This includes defending the right to life, protecting the environment, promoting social justice, and caring for the most vulnerable members of society.

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Protecting human life and dignity

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and thus possesses an inherent dignity. This dignity is the basis for all human rights and must be respected and protected from conception until natural death. It demands that we treat each person with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, regardless of their stage of development or condition.

The Church's teaching on the dignity of human life calls on Catholics to oppose and prevent any direct attacks on innocent human life, such as abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, and destructive research on human embryos. It also includes opposing racism, human trafficking, torture, unjust war, and the indiscriminate use of drones for violent purposes.

In addition to protecting human life, faithful citizenship also entails upholding human dignity by addressing social and economic inequalities. This includes promoting just wages, equal pay, and workers' rights; providing assistance and resources to the poor, vulnerable, and immigrants; ensuring access to quality education, housing, and healthcare; and caring for God's creation by protecting the environment.

The Church's obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is rooted in its faith and the mission received from Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, Catholics are called to bear witness and promote the common good through their participation in public life. This involves engaging in political and legislative processes, forming consciences based on Catholic social teaching, and voting according to well-formed consciences that uphold the dignity of human life and the common good.

In summary, protecting human life and dignity is a fundamental aspect of faithful citizenship, requiring Catholics to defend the weak and vulnerable, promote social justice, and care for God's creation, all while actively participating in political and social life guided by their well-formed consciences.

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Upholding the common good

Catholics are called to be faithful citizens, and this entails a commitment to promoting the common good. This is a standing commitment, not limited to a particular issue or an electoral year, and it involves praying, engaging in civic dialogue, voting, serving, and advocating.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that it is necessary for all to participate in promoting the common good, and this obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. As citizens, we should take an active part in public life. This means that Catholics are called to participate in shaping the moral character of society, bringing truth to political life, and practicing Christ's commandment to "love one another" (John 13:34).

Pope Francis has emphasised that good Catholics immerse themselves in politics, offering the best of themselves so that leaders can govern. This involves political engagement and civil dialogue, and seeking the truth, building bridges, and finding solutions that promote the common good.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has developed a document, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship", which provides guidance for Catholics in exercising their rights and duties as citizens. This document highlights the importance of forming one's conscience, which includes embracing goodness and truth, examining facts and background information, and prayerfully reflecting on the path of action to take.

In upholding the common good, Catholics are called to protect human life and dignity, promote justice and counter violence, combat unjust discrimination, and care for our common home. This includes addressing issues such as abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, destructive research on human embryos, genocide, torture, racism, the treatment of workers and the poor, and the redefinition of marriage.

In summary, upholding the common good as faithful citizens involves actively participating in public life, guided by a well-formed conscience and a commitment to promoting human dignity and the common good at the local, state, national, and international levels.

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The role of the Church in politics

The Church has a crucial role in shaping the moral character of society and is required by its faith to participate in political life. This obligation stems from the Church's mission, given by Jesus Christ, to "love one another" (John 13:34). The Church's right to participate in politics is protected by the United States Constitution, which ensures freedom of religion.

The Church's involvement in politics is not about taking sides or endorsing specific candidates or parties. Instead, it is about bringing moral values and teachings into the political dialogue and helping Catholics form their consciences and make informed decisions. The Church's role is to guide and educate Catholics so that they can make political choices that align with their moral convictions and promote the common good.

The Church's social teachings provide a framework for Catholics to examine political issues and candidates' positions through the lens of human dignity, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity. These principles help Catholics navigate complex and controversial topics, such as abortion, euthanasia, immigration, economic justice, and care for the environment.

The Church's clergy and laity have distinct but complementary roles in politics. The clergy's role is to preach the Gospel and help Catholics form their consciences properly. The laity's role is to transform culture by voting, serving in public office, supporting or opposing candidates, forming political parties, educating voters, and influencing public policy.

The Church's involvement in politics is not just limited to elections but is an ongoing responsibility to promote human life, dignity, and the common good in all aspects of society. The Church's political engagement reflects its commitment to social justice and its belief in the integral relationship between the good of this world and eternal salvation.

In summary, the Church's role in politics is to guide, educate, and engage Catholics in political life, ensuring that their decisions and actions are informed by moral values and a commitment to the common good.

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The formation of conscience

  • Embracing Goodness and Truth: This entails studying Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church contained in the Catechism. It means seeking guidance from the Word of God and the Church's wisdom to inform our understanding of moral and ethical principles.
  • Examining Facts and Background Information: It is important to be well-informed about the various choices and issues at stake. This includes learning about the positions of candidates, understanding the implications of different policies, and seeking out reliable information from multiple sources.
  • Prayerful Reflection: Faithful citizens are encouraged to reflect prayerfully on the path of action they should take in specific situations. This involves seeking divine guidance and discernment to make choices that align with their values and moral obligations.

In the political arena, forming one's conscience is crucial for Catholics. It involves understanding the Church's teachings on a range of issues, such as the dignity of human life, social justice, economic policies, immigration, and environmental concerns. It also means considering how these teachings apply to specific candidates and their positions. While Catholics may differ in their political choices, they share a commitment to promoting human life and dignity and contributing to the common good.

In summary, the formation of conscience is a critical aspect of faithful citizenship. It requires individuals to seek truth, educate themselves on the issues, and reflect prayerfully on the best course of action. By forming their consciences, Catholics can make informed and values-driven decisions in their civic and political engagement.

Frequently asked questions

Faithful citizenship is the mindful consideration of public policy and voting issues through the lens of the Church’s teaching. It is a dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and citizens in a democratic society. It is a moral obligation to participate in political life and promote the common good.

The Church is not a political entity but a moral force. It is the Church's duty to participate in society and contribute to the political dialogue, bringing its moral framework and experience serving those in need. The Church must remain independent of any political party, faction, or candidate.

Catholics should be guided by their moral convictions and not by attachment to any political party or interest group. They should act on the Church's moral principles, running for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials. They should form their consciences and grow in the virtue of prudence.

Forming one's conscience involves embracing goodness and truth, studying Scripture and Church teachings, examining facts and background information, and reflecting prayerfully on the path of action.

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