Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility

Prefatory Statement

Every four years since 1976, the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement on the responsibilities of Catholics to society. The purpose of the statement is to communicate the Church’s teaching that every Catholic is called to an active and faith-filled citizenship, based upon a properly informed conscience, in which each disciple of Christ publicly witnesses to the Church’s commitment to human life and dignity with special preference for the poor and the vulnerable. Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility was developed under the leadership of the Committees on Domestic and International Policy, with the Committee on Priorities and Plans, in collaboration with many other USCCB committees and offices. It was reviewed and approved in September 2003 by the Administrative Committee and is authorized for publication by the undersigned.

Msgr. William P. Fay
General Secretary
USCCB

Excerpts from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Psalms Copyright 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2003 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. This work may be photocopied and distributed without charge.

Contents

I. Introduction

II. Tasks and Questions for Believers

III. A Call to Faithful Citizenship

IV. Catholic Assets in the Public Square

    • A Consistent Moral Framework
    • Everyday Experience
    • A Community of People

V. The Role of the Church
VI. Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

    • Life and Dignity of the Human Person
    • Call to Family, Community, and Participation
    • Right and Responsibilities
    • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
    • Dignity of Work and The Rights of Workers
    • Solidarity
    • Caring for God’s Creation

VII. Moral Priorities for Public Life

    • Protecting Human Life
    • Promoting Family Life
    • Pursuing Social Justice
    • Practicing Global Solidarity

VIII. Conclusion

Major Catholic Statements on Public Life and Moral Issues

Notes