Forming Conscience Statement
Our faith call us to action. The Hebrew prophet constantly called for justice. In Matthew 25 Jesus shares his vision of the last judgment in which what we have done for the "least of these" Is key issue. We know that we must respond in charity (feeding the hungry) and also in justice (attempting to change the conditions that result in people being hungry in the richest nations on earth).
Faithful Citizenship is just that--faith filled citizenship, active participation in the political process. The Church, whether the Holy Father or our Bishops, speak to issues in the light of Scripture and Church tradition. The Church ask us to learn the issues, to reflect on our faith, and judge the issues by the standards of our faith. The Church does not authentically tell us who to vote for, nor who to avoid on the political landscape, as it is the issues, not the individuals or parties to which the Church speaks. Catholic vote with an informed conscience on the issues, a conscience guided not only by a careful study of the issues, but also by our faith.
It is sometimes difficult to particularly with the emotion and partisanship that politics generates to know what are acceptable practices in the political arena for Catholics and Catholic Churches. For that reason, the Church has developed guidelines, political do's and don'ts. You can find these here please click the link below.
| Political do's and don'ts | USCCB Do's and Don'ts |
Questions concerning the guidelines of other Church and politic issues can be directed to Kent Ferris Social Action director for the Diocese of Davenport at (563) 888-4211 or ferris@davenportdiocese.org
Political Responsibility Do’s and Do Not’s
For Catholic parishes, schools and other entities of the diocese:
Our
world is increasingly focused on public policy and the people who make
it. This is understandable due to the enormous impact state and national
public policy can have on issues that directly affect the lives of
people in our diocese. This focus is particularly evident during the
political processes of campaigning and preparing for the November
elections.
Chapman: Catholics called to vote, do charity, act as advocates (June 2012 )
DAVENPORT – Since the 1970s, the U.S. bishops have issued a document on
political activity during election year, said Tom Chapman, executive
director of the Iowa Catholic Conference. “They do so as a member of the
body of Christ,” he told his audience attending a June 11 talk on
Faithful Citizenship. Some people participated in the presentation
on site at Diocese of Davenport headquarters. Others participated over
the Internet via GoToMeeting. And some people later watched a DVD
of the presentation that was recorded for parishes.
Resources:
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USCCB Resources (English & Spanish) April-2012
USCCB has many new resources available in Spanish for Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship.
|
Church Teaching ● Bishops Statements ● Other Resources |
All Catholics ● Prayers and Reflections |
|
Diocesan & Community ● Planning Suggestions ● Candidate Forums ● Political Activity Guidelines ● Videos |
Parishes & Schools ● Bulleting Inserts ● Homily Suggestions |
|
Campuses & Young Adults ● Resources for Colleges and Young adults about participation in public life. |
Media ● Press Releases ● USCCB media blog |
Other resources are also available in Spanish. Click here.
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How to Contact Your Legislator:
|
Capitol switchboard
Phone: 202-224-3121 |
Senator Chuck Grassley Phone: 202-224-3744 Fax: 202-224-6020 |
Senator Tom Harkins Phone: 202-224-3254 Fax: 202-224-9369 |
| U.S. House of Representatives | U.S. Senate The White House |
Forming Consciences for
Faithful Citizenship in 2012
"Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship", the U.S. bishops have reaffirmed their 2007 document. Please click the link below to see the updated version.
Faithful Citizenship: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States and other resources are available. Click here
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Chancery Address: 780 West Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa 52804-1901
Phone: 563-324-1911 Email: communication@davenportdiocese.org
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