Notes

1.      Since 1975, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a reflection on "faithful citizenship" in advance of each presidential election. This statement continues that tradition. It summarizes Catholic teaching on public life and on key moral issues. These reflections build on past political responsibility statements and integrate themes from a recent statement on Catholics in public life from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as themes from several recent bishops' statements, including Living the Gospel of Life and A Place at the Table. To provide additional information on Catholic teaching on these matters, major Catholic statements on public life and moral issues are listed at the conclusion of these reflections.

2.      Cf. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2002).

3.      Jn 13:34-35.

4.      Mt 25:40-45.

5.      Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life (November 24, 2002), no. 1.

6.      United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1998), no. 34.

7.      Dt 30:19-20, Mt 25:40-45, Mt 5:3-12.

8.      The Catholic community has a presence in virtually every part of the nation, including almost 20,000 parishes, 8,600 schools, 237 colleges and universities, 1,062 hospitals and health care facilities, and 3, 044 social service agencies. The Catholic community is the largest non-governmental provider of education, health care, and human services in the United States.

9.      Mt 13:33, Mt 5:13-16.

10.  Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life, no. 6.

11.  United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life, no. 34.

12.  Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life, no. 4.

13.  Ibid.

14.  Ibid.

15.  Resources designed to help parishes and dioceses share the message of faithful citizenship and develop non-partisan voter registration, education, and advocacy programs are available from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. For more information, call 800-235-8722 or go to www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship.

16.  Catholic social teaching is a rich tradition that is rooted in the Scriptures and the lived experience of the people of God. It has been developed in the writings of church leaders through the ages, and has most recently been articulated through a tradition of modern papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. For a more thorough discussion of the themes identified here and their roots, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1994), Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1998), the USCCB web site (www.usccb.org/publishing), and the Vatican web site (www.vatican.va).

17.  Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life, no. 3.

18.  Ex 22:20-26.

19.  Is 1:21-23; Jer 5:28.

20.  Mt 25:40-45.

21.  Lk 4:18-19.

22.  John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (January 6, 2001), no. 49.

23.  John Paul II, On Social Concern (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis) (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1987), no. 38.

24.  John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, (January 1, 1972).

25.  Mt 5:9

26.  John Paul II, Angelus (February 23, 2003), no. 1.

27.  Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life, no. 2.

28.  Ibid, no. 3.

29.  United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life, no. 5.

30.  Ibid, no. 21.

31.  John Paul II, Homily in St. Louis (January 27, 1999).

32.  John Paul II, The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility (January 1, 1990), no. 15.