The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has sought to bring clarity. In 2015, the USCCB issued Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, a 53-page document written to help faithful Catholics “apply a consistent moral framework to issues facing the nation and world, and shape their choices in elections in the light of Catholic Social Teaching.” In the following series, we summarize this document.
Our consciences are formed through studying Scripture and the teachings of the Church, examination of the facts, and prayerful reflection. ... While there are many moral issues before us, every issue is not equal.
Since we have an obligation to help build up a “civilization of truth and love," now more than ever we need to participate in politics. To begin, we need to know our nation’s greatest threats.
What happens when all candidates hold positions that promote intrinsic evils?
Catholic social teaching does not easily fit into left/right ideologies.
