Our nation faces political challenges that demand urgent moral choices.
We are a nation at war, with all of its human costs; a country often
divided by race and ethnicity; a nation of immigrants struggling with
immigration. We are an affluent society where too many live in poverty; part
of a global community confronting terrorism and facing urgent threats to our
environment; a culture built on families, where some now question the value of
marriage and family life. We pride ourselves on supporting human rights, but we
fail even to protect the fundamental right to life, especially for unborn children.
We bishops seek to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance
with the truth, so they can make sound moral choices in addressing these
challenges. We do not tell Catholics how to vote. The responsibility to make political
choices rests with each person and his or her properly formed conscience.
(Excerpt from summary of “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.)
In this election year, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is encouraging Catholics to become informed on the issues facing our society and our world.
In their document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” the bishops remind the faithful of their call to be responsible members of society, through active participation in our rights and freedom as citizens of the United States. First and foremost that includes the right to vote.
The bishops encourage Catholics to read the “Faithful Citizenship” document and to revisit Church teaching by reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so they can make their voting decisions based on an informed conscience.
The USCCB has compiled a quiz of 20 questions taken from issues addressed in the “Faithful Citizenship” document. The questions are below with answers to the questions in the second link. You are invited to take the quiz.
Faithful Citizenship quiz
Faithful Citizenship quiz answers
Read Faithful Citizenship document