Letter from the Bishop: Faithful Citizenship

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Bishop of Arlington
(From the issue of 10/30/03)

Oct. 27, 2003

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The approaching November elections in the Commonwealth of Virginia provide us with the privileged opportunity to participate in this important public duty. I reaffirm what we Roman Catholic bishops recently stated in "Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility" (USCCB 2003): "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation. All believers are called to faithful citizenship, to become informed, active and responsible participants in the political process. As we have said, ‘We encourage all citizens, particularly Catholics, to embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity meaningfully to participate [more fully] in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every vote counts. Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power.’ Even those who are not citizens are called to participate in the debates which shape our common life."

As Catholics and American citizens, our unique Catholic morality does not easily fit into the "left" or the "right" nor to any political platform. Moreover, we are called to be a "community of conscience" and to focus on values shaping public life from the perspective of Sacred Scripture and the principles of Catholic social teaching. "Our responsibility is to measure all candidates, policies, parties, and platforms by how they protect or undermine the life, dignity, and rights of the human person — whether they protect the poor and vulnerable and advance the common good" (cf. "Faithful Citizenship," 2003).

As Catholics, we have a duty to share our values, raise our voices, and use our votes to form a society that protects human life, promotes family life, pursues social justice and practices solidarity. We Catholic Bishops stated clearly: "For Catholics the defense of human life and dignity is not a narrow cause, but a way of life and a framework for action. … Catholics in politics must reflect the moral values of our faith with clear and consistent priority for the life and dignity of the human person" ("Faithful Citizenship," 2003).

There are seven themes at the heart of Catholic social teaching: life and dignity of the human person, the call to promote family life, community and participation, rights and responsibilities, option for the poor and the vulnerable, the dignity of work and the rights of workers, and solidarity and care for God’s creation. The Catholic approach to faithful citizenship begins with these essential Catholic moral principles, not with a party platform.

I ask you to consider the full range of issues facing us in Virginia in the light of the foundational principles of the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person who has been created in the image and likeness of God. I urge you to assess the positions of candidates on critical questions where human life and human dignity are threatened, especially in the following areas:

All of these concerns are inter-related while simultaneously being rooted in the right to life from its very beginning at conception. As we read in "Living the Gospel of Life": "Good people frequently disagree on which problems to address, which policies to adopt, and how best to apply them. But for citizens and elected officials alike, the basic principle is simple: We must begin with a commitment never to intentionally kill, or collude in the killing of, any innocent human life, no matter how broken, unformed, disabled or desperate that life many seem (21). We cannot simultaneously commit ourselves to human rights and progress while eliminating or marginalizing the weakest among us (20)."

In closing, to protect the legitimate separation of church and state I ask parish leaders to observe the enclosed guidelines as you encourage participation in the political process.

One with you in prayer and in the exercise of our privileged right to vote, I am

Faithfully in Christ,

Most Rev. Paul S Loverde

Bishop of Arlington

Guidelines for Parishes

DO

Address the moral and human dimensions of public issues.

Share Church teaching on human life, human rights, and justice and peace.

Apply Catholic values to legislation and public issues.

Conduct a non-partisan voter registration drive on church property.

Distribute unbiased candidate questionnaires covering issues of human life, justice and peace that have been reviewed and approved by your diocesan attorney.

Check with your diocesan attorney if you have any questions about what is appropriate.

PLEASE DO NOT

Endorse or oppose candidates for political office.

Distribute partisan campaign literature under Church auspices.

Arrange for groups to work for a candidate for public office.

Invite only selected candidates to address your church-sponsored group.

Conduct voter registration slanted toward one party.

Distribute a biased candidate survey.

Copyright ©2003 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.