From the Desk of Deacon Dave, O.F.S.

    Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

    May the Lord give you His peace!
 
 Acknowledging the reality that we find ourselves in the midst of a contentious election season, I made reference in a recent weekend homily to the teaching document entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States which the Bishops themselves describe in the following words:

 “The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.”

The entire 64-page document can be readily accessed on the USCCB website (usccb.org – issues & action – topics – faithful citizenship) and I strongly encourage everyone who has the inclination and opportunity to do so. However, as a complement to the entire document, the Bishops also approved six bulletin inserts to help the Catholic faithful put their faith into action. Beginning this week and over the course of the next five weeks, we will be featuring one of these bulletin inserts each week in the hope that they may better acquaint each of us with relevant aspects of Catholic social teaching to help us properly form our consciences to more fully coincide with the mind and heart of Christ.

 In this week’s selection, Introductory Note, the Bishops indicate that “This document is not based on personalities or partisanship, the latest news cycle, or what’s trending on social media. Instead, it reflects the perennial role of the Church in public life in proclaiming timeless principles: the infinite worth and dignity of every human life, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity.” They also remind us that “The threat of abortion remains our pre-eminent priority because it directly attacks our most vulnerable and voiceless brothers and sisters and destroys more than a million lives per year in our country alone.” 

 May our study and prayerful reflection on the truths of our faith help form our consciences so that we can exercise our responsibilities as Catholic citizens competently and knowledgeably.

 With a brother’s love in the Lord and Mary Immaculate,

 Deacon Dave, O.F.S.
T    In Persona Christi Servi