Conclusion

We hope these reflections will contribute to a renewed political vitality in our land. We urge all Catholics to register, vote, and become more involved in public life, to protect human life and dignity, and to advance the common good.

The 2004 elections and the policy choices we will face in the future pose significant challenges for our Church. As an institution, we are called to be political but not partisan. The Church cannot be a chaplain for any one party or cheerleader for any candidate. Our cause is the protection of the weak and vulnerable and defense of human life and dignity, not a particular party or candidate.

The Church is called to be principled but not ideological. We cannot compromise our basic values or teaching, but we should be open to different ways to advance them.

We are called to be clear but also civil. A Church that advocates justice and charity must practice these virtues in public life. We should be clear about our principles and priorities, without impugning motives or name-calling.

Major Catholic Statements on Public Life and Moral Issues

The following documents from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explore in greater detail the public policy issues discussed in Faithful Citizenship. To obtain copies, call 1-800-235-8722 or go to www.usccb.org.

Protecting Human Life

A Matter of the Heart: A Statement on the Thirtieth Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, 2002
Living the Gospel of Life, 1998
Faithful for Life: A Moral Reflection, 1995
Resolution on Abortion, 1989
Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: A Reaffirmation, 1985
Documentation on the Right to Life and Abortion, 1974, 1976, 1981
Statement on Iraq, 2002
A Pastoral Message: Living with Faith and Hope After September 11, 2001
Sowing the Weapons of War, 1995
The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, 1993
A Report on the Challenge of Peace and Policy Developments 1983-1888, 1989
The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response, 1983
Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities, 1999
Nutrition and Hydration: Moral and Pastoral Reflections, 1992
NCCB Administrative Committee Statement on Euthanasia, 1991
Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities, 1989, 1984
A Good Friday Appeal to End the Death Penalty, 1999
Confronting a Culture of Violence, 1995
U.S. Bishops' Statement on Capital Punishment, 1980
Community and Crime, 1978

Promoting Family Life
A Family Guide to Using the Media, 1999
Renewing the Mind of the Media, 1998
Statements and testimony by the USCC Department of Communications before Congress and the Federal Communications Commission
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 1998
Principles for Educational Reform in the United States, 1995
In Support of Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, 1990
Value and Virtue: Moral Education in the Public School, 1988
Sharing the Light of Faith; National Catechetical Directory, 1979
To Teach As Jesus Did, 1972
When I Call for Help, 2002
A Family Perspective in Church and Society, 1998
Always Our Children, 1997
Statement on Same-Sex Marriage, 1996
Walk in the Light, 1995
Follow the Way of Love, 1993
Putting Children and Families First, 1992

Pursuing Social Justice
Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, 2003
A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children, 2002
Global Climate Change, 2001
Responsibility, Rehabilitation, Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, 2000
A Commitment to All Generations: Social Security and the Common Good, 1999
In all Things Charity, 1999
Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 1995
One Family Under God, 1995
Confronting a Culture of Violence, 1995
Moral Principles and Policy Priorities for Welfare Reform, 1995
The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, 1993
A Framework for Comprehensive Health Care Reform, 1993 Renewing the Earth, 1992
Putting Children and Families First, 1992
New Slavery, New Freedom: A Pastoral Message on Substance Abuse, 1990
Brothers and Sisters to Us, 1989
Food Policy in a Hungry World, 1989
Called to Compassion and Responsibility: A Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis, 1989
Homelessness and Housing, 1988
Economic Justice for All, 1986

Practicing Global Solidarity
A Call to Solidarity with Africa, 2001
A Jubilee Call for Debt Forgiveness, 1999
Called to Global Solidarity, 1998
Sowing the Weapons of War, 1995
One Family Under God, 1995
The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, 1993
War in the Balkans: Moral Challenges, Policy Choices, 1993 Statements on South Africa, 1993, 1994
Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity, 1992
The New Moment in Eastern and Central Europe, March 1990 The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, 1993
Toward Peace in the Middle East, 1989
Relieving Third World Debt, 1989
USCC Statement on Central America, 1987

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.

Senator Lindsey Graham

I discovered Senator Lindsey Graham while watching C-SPAN after returning home from volunteering during the 2004 campaign. He was on the floor speaking about the Central American Free Trade Agreement that he later voted against because it harmed the workers of South Carolina. This is a speech that I refer to as the South Carolina Pockets speech.

I admire Sen. Graham for his independence, intelligence, and service to the country. He demonstrates his independence when he stood against the administration on the abuse of detainees. He has shown this when he stood up the the base of the party on immigration. He demonstrated his intelligence when he compromised on the judicial nominees in order to preserve the Senate as an institution.

I admire his service in the Air Force and in the government.

I enjoy listening to Sen. Graham speak because of his intellect and passion. He always brings a unique perspective to issues like Social Security reform or National Security.

I hope that my lenses help the reader to gain a better understanding and appreciation of him and his work. I also maintain a website and blog about the subject.

American Dreams, American Values

Oath of Office

I, Judith Marie Kratochvil, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.