News Archives » faithful citizenship
2020 U.S. Election Briefs: Faithful Voting and Global Concerns October 9th, 2020
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns offers a series of two-page briefs and webinars on global issues to help people of faith consider key issues as they prepare for the 2020 U.S. elections. 
Helpful Resource for Upcoming U.S. Elections
- The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns 2020 U.S. Election Briefs: Faithful Voting and Global Concerns
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship September 30th, 2016
Prayer Resource for the Upcoming U.S Elections
It’s almost 40 days until the U.S elections in November. In preparation for the elections, Oblates JPIC is recommending citizen resources for education and action, produced by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Novena for Elections: Praying for Our Nation
The U.S. bishops are inviting the faithful to participate in prayer and fasting from Friday, September 9 through Friday, November 11, 2016. Prayer intentions will focus on interceding for the many needs and issues of the political process.
Visit USCCB’s page for Novena for Elections.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
The resource provides guidance for U.S Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy, lifting up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens. Faithful Citizenship resources include bulletin inserts and videos.
Read more on faithful citizenship.
Elections 2012 September 24th, 2012
The Justice and Peace Office of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) sent the following election materials for our consideration:
USCCB Faithful Citizenship Guide and resources
Core Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
CMSM JPIC urges us to consider which party more consistently upholds the fuller range of Catholic Social Teaching as we seek to promote the Common Good and Reign of God:
- Libertarian: Platform and Principles
- Republican: Platform and Romney on Issues
- Democrat: Platform and Obama on Issues
- Green: Platform and Ten Key Values
They also provided this link to encourage the Republicans, Democrats, and television networks to open the debates to other candidates.
Excerpts from Faithful Citizenship October 18th, 2010
Faithful Citizenship: Excerpts on the Sanctity of Life
“Human life is sacred. The dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Direct attacks on innocent persons are never morally acceptable, at any stage or in any condition. [D]irect threats to the sanctity of human life include euthanasia, human cloning, and the destruction of human embryos for research.”
“Catholic teaching about the dignity of life calls us to oppose torture,7 unjust war, and the use of the death penalty; to prevent genocide and attacks against noncombatants; to oppose racism; and to overcome poverty and suffering. Nations are called to protect the right to life by seeking effective ways to combat evil and terror without resorting to armed conflicts except as a last resort, always seeking first to resolve disputes by peaceful means. We revere the lives of children in the womb, the lives of persons dying in war and from starvation, and indeed the lives of all human beings as children of God.”
“Human dignity is respected and the common good is fostered only if human rights are protected and basic responsibilities are met. Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible, and a right to access to those things required for human decency—food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing, freedom of religion and family life.”
And finally, the sanctity of life extends to the creation from which we take our sustenance. “We have a moral obligation to protect the planet on which we live—to respect God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for human beings, especially children at their most vulnerable stages of development.”
